The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2020

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Introduction-Chapter 3

Chapters 4-5

Chapters 6-7

Key Figures

Themes

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Chapters 6-7Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 6 Summary: “Building a New Future”

Adopting a forward-looking perspective is critical for discovering one’s innate purpose, becoming the most powerful version of oneself, and adopting unshakeable guiding principles for a prosperous and meaningful life. This involves more than just shedding past burdens; it is fundamentally about creating a better future. One of the highlighted techniques for facilitating this personal growth is a guided visualization exercise where an individual is prompted to communicate with their “highest potential future self” (175). In this experiential dialogue, individuals are encouraged to focus on the nuances of their future self’s appearance and demeanor: “Pay attention to what they look like, how they behave, and what their facial expressions communicate” (177). Envisioning this future self should give insight into what steps are required for transformation.

Trauma is a substantial impediment to individual progress. Wiest argues for a holistic approach to trauma, emphasizing that it extends beyond emotional impact to affect physical well-being: “Trauma is not in your head. It is in your body” (180). Instead of ignoring it, we must confront trauma head-on and reclaim it as an integral part of life. For instance, if relationships have been sources of trauma, the path to healing involves building wholesome relationships rather than avoiding them entirely.

The chapter also cautions against so-called psychic, or predictive, thinking, whereby individuals often presume they can foretell the future based on past experiences or fears. Instead, the focus should be on empowering oneself through actions and decisions grounded in the present moment: “Your most powerful self needs to be the CEO of your life” (184). This business metaphor illustrates the importance of overseeing all aspects of one’s life with acute awareness and responsibility, thereby pushing for comprehensive emotional and mental evolution.

Emotional intelligence and the practice of validation are critical components of self-empowerment. The chapter describes validation as “healing” and “mind-altering”; its absence is often the root cause of emotional struggles. An inability to validate one’s own feelings can lead to a futile and perpetual quest for external validation: “[W]e go on a never-ending quest to try to force others to do it for us, but it never works” (189).

Guiding principles, such as ethical guidelines, societal norms, or laws of nature, determine the consequences of actions. They thus provide the framework for decisions. By basing our choices on these underlying principles, we achieve more consistent and positive results over time. The chapter also explores the concept of purpose, a pivotal element often revealed through adversity. Contrary to common misconceptions, one’s ultimate purpose is not dictated by specific career or relationship choices. Instead, it is shaped by how one responds to challenges, behaves toward others, and impacts humanity at large: “[H]ow you responded in the face of adversity, who you were to the people in your life, and what you did each day that slowly, in its own unique way, changed the course of humanity” (206). A fulfilling and meaningful life integrates future-focused thinking, tackling traumas and empowering oneself through solid principles and emotional intelligence. All these elements converge with the aim of sculpting a more powerful, enlightened future self.

Chapter 7 Summary: “From Self-Sabotage to Self-Mastery”

The journey from self-sabotage to self-mastery is not an extraordinary feat, but rather the natural consequence of realizing that one is the primary architect of one’s life—both its limitations and its potentials. This transformation begins with the understanding of how to manage emotions. Borrowing from Buddhist philosophy, Wiest argues that mastering the mind is not about tightly gripping emotions but letting go. Practicing non-attachment is an effective way to control the mind without suppressing emotions. Citing Albert Camus’s poetic description of inner strength, “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer” (211), the chapter explains the difference between suppression and control: Suppression is unconscious and detrimental, whereas control is a conscious act.

In this journey, inner peace stands as the ultimate aspiration, transcending the ultimately ephemeral pursuit of happiness. Achieving inner peace involves unlearning the damaging thought patterns internalized in childhood and reconnecting with one’s inner child, the purest and most vulnerable part of oneself. Inner peace is an active choice, supported by the awareness that most worries are often unfounded fabrications of the mind. As psychologist Gail Brenner points out, “inner peace is the only kind that exists because nothing else is in our control” (216).

This journey also entails breaking the harmful cycle of worrying, which is an energy-draining distraction that provides no real safety. The mind, in its anxiety, seeks confirmation of its own fears, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of negativity. It’s important to remember that feelings are not facts; they shouldn’t be mistaken for definitive truths or predictions. Rather, peace is the emotion to trust as it embodies a balanced state of mind.

Mental strength is not a static quality, but an evolving trait that requires active management and improvement. To cultivate it, the chapter recommends making plans to solve problems, remaining humble, and acknowledging the limits of one’s knowledge. Dualistic thinking and the belief that one can predict future events are unproductive mindsets that contribute to anxiety. Recognizing that most of life’s outcomes result directly from individual choices and actions is a cornerstone of self-improvement.

The ability to process and deal with a spectrum of human emotions, including complex feelings like grief and sadness, is crucial for mental resilience. Open dialogue—whether with others or oneself—is encouraged to untangle complicated thoughts and feelings. Small, consistent steps are emphasized over grand, immediate changes, as the former lead to sustainable transformation over time.

A fulfilling life is not about the relentless pursuit of happiness but about learning to embrace the present moment. Overthinking the future induces anxiety, while dwelling on the past leads to depression. Contentment comes from recognizing the value of now. This notion challenges the need to assert dominance in relationships, advocating instead for equality and positive interpersonal dynamics. Emphasizing simple joys, like a sunrise or a cup of coffee, underscores that true contentment doesn’t necessarily have to be grand or life altering.

The ultimate goal of this journey is self-mastery, which entails taking radical and complete responsibility for one’s life, even those aspects that are seemingly beyond control. In this light, the book reframes life’s challenges or “mountains” as opportunities for growth. This perspective culminates in the understanding that personal transformation isn’t a solitary endeavor; it has a ripple effect that contributes to collective well-being. In overcoming personal “mountains,” individuals affirm their capabilities and fulfill their destiny.

Chapters 6-7 Analysis

These chapters advocate for mindfulness and the power of the present moment, converging their Connections to Yogacara Buddhism on the Buddhist principles encapsulated by the Zen Flower Sermon. In this sermon, Buddha simply lifts a flower—the silent message is that some truths are beyond language and conceptual thought. For Campbell, this sermon outlines one of the primary functions of myth: Myths are metaphors that ultimately refer to the transcendence of the moment; like the flower in the sermon, which is beyond all categories of language and thought, they exist in tathātā, or the ultimate inexpressible nature of things. In Buddhism, there is a saying that first there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is. The idea is that a mountain isn’t one’s conception of a mountain; in reality, it is just dirt, stones, possibly grass and trees, and, beyond that, atoms, and empty space. Likewise, the mountain of the book’s title isn’t actually an external obstacle but a barrier between oneself and the present moment.

Likewise, Joseph Campbell argued that Mythological Frameworks are designed to make us more aware of the present moment. Agreeing, Wiest transposes this idea onto her self-help methodology:

If you’re anxious, it’s because you’re living in the future, and if you’re depressed, it’s because you’re living in the past. When you’re living in the present moment, you realize that both the past and future are just current illusions in the infinite, eternal ‘now’ and that they are actually ways in which you can avoid being in your body (231).

The “eternal ‘now’” is a dimension of experience outside of time, always accessible to the individual via mindfulness. Campbell’s interpretation of myths as metaphors that bring us closer to the transcendental reality here becomes a life principle, making these chapters a modern-day myth or metaphor encouraging readers toward enlightenment.

In Buddhist thought, the ultimate goal of personal enlightenment is collective well-being: “Individuals’ healing and growth have a ripple effect on the collective” (238). This bears a striking resemblance to the Bodhisattva ideal in Mahāyāna Buddhism, which Campbell frequently discusses. The Bodhisattva achieves enlightenment on behalf of all sentient beings, emphasizing the interconnectedness of personal and social transformation. Similarly, Campbell’s concept of the hero’s journey ends with the hero returning to share newfound wisdom with society. Wiest similarly positions personal transformations such as emotional mastery and non-attachment as a social imperative.

However, there is a potential pitfall in focusing extensively on self-mastery and inner peace. This approach risks validating the individualistic tendencies commonly criticized in self-help literature. Focusing exclusively on personal responsibility could be interpreted as downplaying or even dismissing societal issues and structural obstacles that contribute to psychological struggles, such as systemic racism, gender inequality, and economic disparities. Systemic issues can profoundly affect an individual’s circumstances, often in ways that they can’t control. To say that all problems stem from individual choices minimizes the substantial barriers that many people face due to societal structures. This dangerous paradigm blames only the individual for failure, thereby absolving society from any accountability.

The book does not fully develop the dialectic of individual choices and systemic issues. Such a dichotomy would clarify that personal responsibility doesn’t necessarily negate the role of systemic factors. Both can and do co-exist in complex interplay. While societal systems undeniably constrain individual action, how one chooses to respond to these limitations can also have meaningful consequences. Individual choices still matter in the broader narrative of life, providing at least some agency in navigating systemic challenges.

The most balanced suggests that while individual agency plays a role in personal transformation and social contribution, it’s not the sole determinant of one’s life circumstances. Recognizing systemic issues does not absolve the individual of responsibility but contextualizes it within a broader societal fabric. By the same token, emphasizing individual choice should not give society a free pass to perpetuate systemic barriers. Ultimately, the journey is about transforming society alongside the individual. Thus, the macro issues reflect the micro and vice versa: Systemic barriers exist because individuals within the system perpetuate them. The enlightened individual, like the Bodhisattva, strives for the enlightenment of all beings. This aligns with the concept of interdependence, which acknowledges that individual actions and societal systems are interconnected. Through mindfulness and non-attachment, one can gain the clarity to navigate systemic challenges without being overwhelmed by them. Conquering one’s mountain is not an end in itself. Ideally, emotional mastery and mindfulness should enable individuals to climb their personal mountains and also to help others navigate systemic barriers. It is in this nuanced space—where individual transformation and societal imperatives meet—that the most potent change can occur.