"the obstacle is the way" philosophy thread

anyone else enjoy zen and stoic quotes? share your favorite quotes here please

many seem to relate to climbing and the challenges of cruxes and route finding

dailystoic.com and a summary of his  book on yt https://youtu.be/Snmh_IJL8M0 btw no ads if u watch with brave browser 

“The path of least resistance is a terrible teacher.” 

"Don't compare yourself to someone else, compare yourself to your yesterday's self." 

"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start over where you are and change the ending”

Give the Tao Te Ching a read. I think Taoism fits really well with climbing. 

If you like the Daily Stoic, you should check out Breakfast with Seneca by David Fideler

“He who strides cannot keep the pace” - Tao Te Ching

I like this one because I have a tendency to overdue things.  And this reminds me to keep it in balance. 

Interesting topic. I'm not so sure this philosophy applies to the current expression of gym and sport climbing, where obstacles are systematically removed, almost as a service. Modern convenience climbing seeks to remove obstacles, not over come them. 

Alpinism has always been the suffer machine. But not just alpinism of course, I'd include aspects of mountaineering, adventure trad, etc. 

The great thing is we climbers have the choice, to decide our level of "obstacles." The things going down these days on the adventure side are amazing, even mind-blowing. (So too are the amazing sport climbing accomplishments, don't get me wrong.)

"Climbers, these days" have definitely taken the reigns and it sure is fascinating to see where the trends are headed. Carry on!

You must do the thing you think you cannot do.
- Eleanor Roosevelt 

this quote has been with me for 40 years, so simple. We’re stronger than we realize and this one reminds me to go way beyond the limits I think I have for myself - mentally, physically, spiritually. 

There's a fine line between living the dream and eating pigeons under an overpass                                                                    -daniel tosh

First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is.

-Donovan 

I climb for fun 

The Best Climber Climbs Tomorrow - Gumby King
Early Bird Gets to Climb - Gumby King

Can't recommend Twight's non-prophet books enough. All are good but these come from the coffee table book- Refuge: 

• Don't focus on what you think you deserve. Take aim at what you are willing to earn. 
• Pain unlocks a secret doorway in the mind, one that leads to both peak performance, and beautiful silence. 
• Fear shouldn't cue restraint because giving all and falling short isn't frightening. Do be afraid of looking back and wishing you had tried harder. 
• Plan as best you can. Stand on the balls of your feet, prepared. Know the plan was an illusion of control. Bend with what comes until bending is no longer the right response. And then be as hard as hard can be. 
• When you are willing to fail you are willing to know the truth. When willing to fail you are free to make any effort with no dependency on the outcome. Regardless of the context, the chronic need to succeed settles sights on the immediate, certainly achievable. But doing only what you know you can do stalls growth and understanding as certainly as never trying at all. So breathe. Touch whatever talisman will help. Tell who you love that you do. And then go for it: take the step that might make you fall. 

That Twight stuff is pretty good!