Raj had his life long dream to get on Mount Kailash, the highest peak which is characterized by the spectacular views and spiritual value. He had been careful in planning the trip, studying the pathways, acquiring the finest equipment and conditioning his body to endure a difficult climb up the mountain. He was single-mindedly devoted to a single thing, which was to be on top and look down on the world below.
And, when the day finally came, Raj started off with a small group of climbers and started the trek. In the beginning of his life he was obsessed with thoughts of the peak. Each move was a burden and he could not get rid of the desire to move forward to reach his target. In the process, one of his guides, an older and experienced mountaineer called Tenzing, realized that Raj was impatient and tired.
And, looking about him, Tenzing, who was known as Raj, checked on the path, and said, What do you see?
Just the way, Raj answered, with hardly a glance. "I need to get to the top."
Tenzing gave a laugh of dismissal, and waved about him. "Look closer," he said. When we arrive at the summit we will be there. However, unless you presently take a glance around, you are going to miss the beauty of your present situation.
Reluctantly Raj paused and looked around. In the first time he saw the gay wildflowers along the path, the far sound of a river running along in the valley below, and the yellow light of the setting sun tinting the mountains in shades of orange and pink. He had not known how he had been lacking in his striving to get to the top.
Raj changed focus in the ensuing few days. He had an urge still to get to the top but he began to enjoy the ride. He would listen to the tales of Tenzing, laugh with the rest of the climbers, and enjoy the great sights they were going through. This was a new experience every day and a challenge and Raj started to realize that the journey itself was equally important as the destination.
As they both at length arrived on top, Raj stood in amazed contemplation of the scene. However, it was not only the peak that touched him but the recollection of the trip that poured into his head. It was laughter of the campfires, what can be learnt after crossing difficult paths, and nothing more complicated than just pleasures of being in every moment.
Some deeper truth dawned on Raj as they headed downwards: life is not about things simply doing what they should do and getting where they should get. It is about the process- the moments, relationships and development that occur in the process.
Since that day, Raj treated his objectives in a different manner. He never forgot to stop, look about, and enjoy the trail in which he was going, and he worked hard and set high. The trip, he found, was in which the magic really took place.
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