What is success? The journey or the destination?

The Uluru/Ayers rock at sunset

I thought about this question during my recent visit to the Uluru/Ayers Rock; one of Australia's most recognizable symbols. The majestic Uluru is a natural sandstone rock formation dating over 500 million years, in Central Australia. Along with the neighboring Kata Tjuta rock formation, it is called the spiritual center of Australia, because of its spiritual significance to the aboriginal Anangu people who own the land, and still live in the area. The National park; a World Heritage site,  has been leased by the Australian Government, and is run with the active participation of the Anangu people.


The Uluru; while magnificent from afar during sunset and sunrise, when it gradually changes colors from a bright red to brown; is just breathtaking up close. The massive reddish brown 348 m high rock with a base of around 9.4 km, is awe inspiring, but in a quiet way. You feel in the presence of a gentle, wise giant, who has seen it all from a vantage point. It is not difficult to imagine why the Uluru holds immense spiritual significance for the Anangu people.

One of the contentious issues between the Anangu people and the Australian government is about allowing tourists to climb the rock. The Anangu consider the Uluru sacred, and not to be climbed; while the Australian government, citing historical accounts of explorers climbing the rock, is reluctant to put a stop to it because of the potential for tourism. Our guide encouraged us not to climb, and none of our group did. But people still climb, and often leave trash behind, and even defecate on the rock (although out of necessity rather than disrespect). The majestic beauty of Uluru is marred by the railing of the climbing track, and parts around the climbing track were visibly eroded. In fact, sadly, the Uluru is still advertised as a climbing trip in countries like Japan.

Sign in front of the Uluru

 

The Uluru offers immense peace, awe and joy all at once; but only if you let yourself be still to take it all in. Just walking along its expansive folds is a moving experience.   Aristotle lists "magnificence" as one of the desirable human virtues. Indeed the Uluru inspires you think big, and be magnificent. But why do people still climb the Uluru, despite being encouraged against it because of its spiritual significance? Is it just the refusal to believe in mythology, or is it due to an innate sense of equating success with reaching the pinnacle? The sign in front of the climbing track (see picture on the right) encourages tourists to think differently: is Uluru is a place to conquer or to connect with?

This is similar to the question discussed in the classic case of the "parable of a sadhu" where a group of mountaineers from the West, impatient to climb their peak in the Himalayas, are reluctant to help a dying sadhu they encounter on the way. Each group does the bare minimum,  and continue to climb after passing on the sadhu to other groups. The author, and one of the non- helpful climbers, Bowen McCoy, is wrought with guilt after, not knowing whether the sadhu lived or died. This leads him to question whether his trip was all about reaching the top, or whether it could have been about his experiences during the trip? His later visit when he spent time with the locals was more rewarding and enriching.       

The example of Uluru parallels our perception about success in the real world. Is it really about making as much money as possible, or it is also about the relationships, the experiences and the things we create along the way? As Steve Jobs rightly, and perhaps prophetically, pointed out - creating something wonderful was more important to him than being the richest man in the grave. Thankfully some shouts about the need to shift the focus from money to well-being, are now being heard above the din. 

Hopefully, the debate at the tranquil Uluru will be a settled soon, and it will be a place to be experienced by being, instead of conquering.   

The Uluru at sunrise