The mountaintop seems to be the place to be. If you are looking for God. We can find God anywhere, even deep down in the pits of the earth, the furthest away from a mountain summit. But if you desire to see God, if you want to see God face to face, it seems the mountain is where you have to go. Abraham encountered God on Mt Moriah. Moses heard God through the bush on Mt Horeb. Moses saw God on Mt Sinai. Peter, James, and John saw Christ transfigured - they saw God - on a mountain (traditionally Mt. Hermon). Why must a person ascend a mountain to see God?
On January 11, Sir Edmund Hillary died. Most remember Sir Edmund as being the first person to summit Mt. Everest - the highest point on earth. If you ever see pictures of Base Camp, the last habitable place climbers rest before climbing the mountain, you will see dozens and dozens of flags, like bunting on the 4th of July. These flags are offered as prayers to Miyo Lungsangma, the mother goddess of earth. The locals believed Miyo Lungsangma lives on the top of Everest. Even though the Sherpas, the local people whose bodies have amazingly adapted to the high altitude, have long had the ability to summit Everest, they were afraid to upset the goddess. When Hillary reached the top, his Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay offered chocolates to the goddess and left them in the snow. Hillary left a cross. Even though Hillary did not believe Miyo Lungsangma lived on the mountain, he did respect the summit as a place to encounter the divine - like Abraham, Moses, Peter, James, and John.
What is it about climbing mountains? What is it about being above and higher than everything else? Is it possible that the reason the Bible records people having theophanies on mountains is because when a person stands in a place where they can have a perspective to see the world as God sees it - they see God?
What is our vantage point? What is our perspective?
It's not that God only resides on mountains - it is when we go to mountains and look around - we see that the world is bigger than our own experience. It's bigger than our assumptions and ideas. It's when we move to a place to see things in their entirety and comprehensively - we are humbled to a point that we can recognize God.
Climbing takes effort. It takes practice and patience and knowledge. It also takes the guidance. To see God we don't always need to elevate our altitude - just our perspective.
1 comment:
I had the privilege of meeting Sir Edmund Hillary twice, once in Colorado and once in Namche in the Everest region where I used to lead treks to the base camp. He dedicated his life to helping the Sherpas who were such a critical part of his first ascent. Beyond the Summit is the first work to dramatize their lives in fiction. Hillary's work in the area is mentioned frequently as well as his climbing partner, Tenzing Norgay.
Details of Sherpa culture and religion are interwoven in a tale of romance and high adventure. The story has something for everyone: a love affair between an American journalist and Sherpa guide, conflict between generations as the modern world challenges centuries of tradition, an expedition from the porter’s point of view.
Below are selections from reviews. To read the complete ones and excerpts go to www.beyondthesummit-novel.com
Beyond the Summit, is the rare gem that shows us the triumphs and challenges of a major climb from the porter’s point of view. The love of two people from diverse cultures is the fiery centerpiece of a novel that leads its readers through harshly beautiful and highly dangerous territory to the roof of the world. Malcolm Campbell, book reviewer
Conflict and dialog keep this gripping story of destiny, romance and adventure moving from the first page to the last paragraph. LeBlanc has a genius for bonding her readers and her characters. I found I was empathizing in turn with each character as they faced their own personal crisis or trauma.
Richard Blake for Readers Views.
A gripping, gut-twisting expedition through the eyes of a porter reveals the heart and soul of Sherpas living in the shadows of Everest. EverestNews.com
A hard-hitting blend of adventure and romance which deserves a spot in any serious fiction collection. Midwest Book Review
LeBlanc is equally adept at describing complex, elusive emotions and the beautiful, terrifying aspect of the Himalayan Mountains. Boulder Daily Camera
LeBlanc’s vivid description of the Himalayas and the climbing culture makes this a powerful read. Rocky Mt News Pick of the Week
A rich adventure into the heart of the Himalayan Kingdom. Fantastic story-telling from one who has been there. USABookNews.com
This is the book to read before you embark on your pilgrimage to Nepal. The author knows and loves the people and the country, and makes you feel the cold thin air, the hard rocks of the mountains, the tough life of the Sherpa guides, and you learn to love them too. This is a higly literate, but also very readable book. Highly recommended.”
– John (college professor)
Memorable characters and harrowing encounters with the mountains keep the action moving with a vibrant balance of vivid description and dialogue. Literary Cafe Host, Healdsburg, CA
This superbly-crafted novel will land you in a world of unimaginable beauty, adventure, and romance. The love story will keep you awake at night with its vibrant tension and deep rich longing. Wick Downing, author of nine novels
Such vividly depicted images of the Everest region and the Sherpa people are the perfect scenario for the romance and adventure feats narrated. It’s a page-turner, so engrossing you end up wanting to visit Nepal! Not just novel, but perfect for those seeking to get acquainted with the culture of this country.
By Claudia Fournier (América, Bs. As., Argentina)
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