cover image Seven Mountains: The Inner Climb to Committment and Caring

Seven Mountains: The Inner Climb to Committment and Caring

Marilyn Mason. Dutton Books, $18.95 (160pp) ISBN 978-0-525-93980-1

Mountains and the act of climbing them have been metaphors for the spiritual journey since at least biblical times. Psychotherapist Mason (Making Our Life Our Own; Facing Shame) began rock climbing on the North Shore of Lake Superior in the 1970s. Since then, she has progressed to leading climbing expeditions around the world, through her company, Journeys Inward. Here, using the metaphor of climbing, Mason explores seven life lessons: facing fear; learning to trust; finding and accepting support; enduring through difficulties; facing a ""crux"" or turning point; moving on or turning back; and finding the spiritual ""bedrock place within."" While these aren't new concepts in personal growth, Mason's vivid climbing stories complement her spiritual teaching. She focuses on the concept of commitment-to self, family, work and love-and the choices required of such commitment. But many of Mason's clinical examples seem far too easy. Happy endings abound as people confront a boss, a parent or a spouse with a desire for change. She scants the resistance that's often met in real life when one tries to ""redefine the relationship."" While Mason offers good ideas and intentions, readers earnestly seeking help may be left wondering why their own problems aren't so swiftly resolved. (Jan.)