The Rock Warrior's Way: Mental Training For Climbers

shouldn’t be to redpoint a climb but to stay focused on the effort so that a redpoint ascent will manifest. You’ll find that your climbing makes a lot more sense. And it’s more fun.
    The truth that his time on earth is limited helps the warrior appreciate the moment. The warrior lets death be his advisor. This may sound ominous, but it helps you take life seriously. It is simply a no-nonsense reminder that each moment matters. In the face of our mortality, externally derived values and the petty ways of the Ego seem ridiculous. Being mindful that we will inevitably die, we don’t cling to petty destinations. Everything external will one day be taken from us, so, in a sense, we have nothing to lose. Death advises us to always use attention on what is important: learning and growth.
    Death, however, does not advise us to be reckless. Our time on earth is precious. We don’t want to foolishly squander any portion of it. There is no practice run. If we’re facing a challenge we believe in, then we’ll give it 100-percent attention. The warrior strives to undertake each act as if it is his last battle on earth.
    The Journey process is the Rock Warrior’s way of keeping attention in the present moment and being comfortable there, regardless of how stressful and chaotic the situation. His comfort comes from being in touch with his deepest values: learning from experiences, loving life, and increasing his personal power. Physically, he deals with the chaos of challenging climbing by using creative rests, holding on loosely, pacing, staying in balance, and expressing joy in giving effort. These things focus attention on finding comfort in the risk. If his attention wanders up the climb toward a destination, then he reminds himself of his intention to act, not to think about having acted. He resolutely brings his attention back to the task at hand. If he’s at a loss for what to do, he does not lapse into a sense of impasse. He focuses on possibilities, giving himself the performance cue, “What now?” This is a direct question asked of his intuitive channels, which then home in on the opportunities in the situation.
    Although it’s helpful to break down experience into preparation, transition, and action, the Rock Warrior’s path is really more holistic. Each task of preparation is part of the larger Journey. We may not prepare for action perfectly every time, but we acknowledge this as part of the warrior’s path. We ruthlessly examine our motivation from the Witness position. We keep our attention on the process and learn from our experiences. We don’t lie to ourselves about our efforts and our performances, nor do we punish ourselves. As we understand ourselves better, our power increases. Our mindset when we climb is no longer like a disobedient dog, always blundering into trouble and then cowering in guilt or fear of punishment. It becomes an instrument of power. The action word for the Journey process is Attention . Apply attention now, in the moment, in every step of the journey.

Conclusion
    Peter Croft, Mark Wilford, and John Bachar are three of the most masterful climbers I know when it comes to risky or dangerous climbing. Recently I asked them why they are able to deal with fear while so many other climbers are not. You know what they told me? Basically, they said they didn’t know why, or they hadn’t thought about it very much. When I heard that, I was glad I had written this book. I’ve thought about this question often, and tested my answers on the rock. Mental training need not be intangible and vague; it can be very simple, understandable, and practical. The Rock Warrior’s Way philosophy is very pragmatic.
    Whether Croft, Wilford, or Bachar know it or not, the thing that most helps them deal with fear is that they deeply love what they do. This is the foundation of the Rock Warrior’s Way: love-based motivation. If you are strong in your love-based motivation you are already practicing the warrior processes whether or not you’re conscious of it. When you love something, attention is automatically focused in the moment because there is no other place you’d rather be.
    Springing directly from a love of what you do and a focus on the present is an alignment with learning. All living things, you included, are created, grow, and then die. Since you already have been created and aren’t dead yet, you are most in harmony when you align yourself with the positive process in