What We Can Learn from Challenges

One of the interesting things about the challenges is that the people who thrive and those who struggle might not fall along the lines you’d expect. Gender and age are rarely a factor. “Women may be more at ease than men, and someone can do their first challenge at the age of 70—it doesn’t matter,” says Neil. “They may get out there and have less trouble than a 20-year-old. The people who often have the easiest time are those who have gone through something like cancer or a severe degree of trauma. For them, the stress of walking across a tight-rope is actually pretty minor.”

Who struggles the most? Neil says it’s often those who are determined to do it “right” and do it “well,” since they’re actually battling two fears: the fear of the challenge and the even more powerful fear of failure. “I always tell them that the fact they’re down there at all is the most important thing,” says Neil.

“A large percentage of the people who come to Miraval never do a challenge—they either don’t sign up or they’re a no-show. So it’s a big accomplishment just to make it to the course, and everything that happens from that point on is a bonus. Who knows what it’s going to feel like? They’re experimenting. There’s no way to lose, and it’s not like they’re going to win and extra night at Miraval or anything if they do it perfectly. It’s all just an experiment.”

How Do You Do This If You’re Not at Miraval?

“Hiking and biking can be done anywhere,” says Neil. “So can river rafting, skiing, rock climbing, or any number of so-called extreme sports. You don’t have to have a specially constructed element like a Giant’s Ladder to challenge yourself. Anything that gets you up and moving and out of your comfort zone will work because, as much as we may like doing things we know we’re good at, things we’ve done a hundred times before, it’s only when we stretch ourselves that true growth happens.”

The growth occurs because of the adrenaline and endorphin release that accompanies strenuous activity and how these chemicals can affect the brain. “Let’s say you go for a hard run and really push yourself,” says Neil. “The actual rush from the endorphin release is short-lived, but the memory of it can continue to inspire you long afterwards. If you did it once, you know you can do it again. Human beings crave chances to test themselves. If you just walk through each day with one foot in front of another, you never know what you’re capable of. We need challenges to help us rise to the occasion.”

Key Points for July

• Challenges, whether physical or mental, take you out of your day-to-day norm and thus don’t merely invite you to be mindful—they compel you to be.

• Many challenges can only be met through teamwork and, if done in tandem with a loved one, are a great opportunity to evaluate, strengthen, and perhaps even alter the dynamics of that relationship.

• A fear of losing control can keep you in your comfort zone. Releasing control can take you to new insights and expand your self-definition.

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