The Lost Art of Depth

In our world of instant everything, we're losing something precious. We tap our phones and food appears at our door. We click a button and a translation pops up. We buy pre-assembled furniture instead of crafting it ourselves.

Convenience surrounds us. It promises to make life easier and save time.

But what if this obsession with shortcuts is robbing us of deeper experiences? What if the things that bring real quality to life can't be rushed?

The Mountain Path: Taking the Harder Road

Consider the tale of two mountain climbers, Alex and Jordan, who both wanted to see the sunrise from Eagle's Peak.

Alex chose the new cable car, sleeping comfortably before a quick ride to the top. Jordan took the traditional path, hiking through the night, facing rain and rocky terrain, meeting fellow travelers, and discovering hidden viewpoints.

Both saw the same sunrise. But only Jordan experienced the mountain.

This simple story reflects a deeper truth about life. The quality of our experiences often depends on the path we choose to reach them.

Why We Crave Convenience But Need Depth

Instant coffee will never match the richness of a carefully brewed cup. A machine-translated sentence misses the cultural nuances a language learner would understand.

Flying to a destination gets you there quickly. But traveling overland fills your journey with unexpected encounters and discoveries.

Streaming music takes seconds. Learning to play an instrument takes years.

In each case, the "convenient" option provides immediate results. The "difficult" path produces deeper, more meaningful experiences.

This isn't about rejecting modern conveniences entirely. When I need to visit Canada, I don't have time to sail across the ocean.

But we shouldn't always choose the quicker path simply because it's available. Some things deserve the longer route.

The Fear That Blocks the Deep Path

Why do we avoid the harder path? Often, it's simple fear.

I've found myself hesitating to start projects because they seem too difficult. The thought of the effort required creates resistance.

That's when I use the scanning breath technique. By breathing through the feelings of "ugh" or "this is too hard," I can release the resistance.

After processing these feelings, I can approach challenging tasks without the emotional baggage. The project itself isn't any easier, but my relationship with it has changed.

What holds you back from taking the deeper path? Is it fear of failure? Worry about wasting time? Uncertainty about results?

These feelings deserve acknowledgment. But they shouldn't make decisions for us.

Learning to "Grok" Instead of Skim

There's a wonderful term from science fiction: "grok." It means to understand something so thoroughly that it becomes part of you.

You don't just know it intellectually. You comprehend it instinctively, emotionally, and completely.

This kind of deep understanding can't be rushed. It comes from:

• Making mistakes and learning from them
• Practice beyond the point of mere competence
• Encountering and solving unexpected problems
• Developing an intuitive feel for your subject

Like our mountain climber Jordan, who came to know every twist in the path, the best knowledge comes from direct, challenging experience.

Remember that when someone sells you a shortcut, that's exactly what you're getting. A shorter path with less depth, less quality, and less lasting value.

The Gift of Limited Time

One beautiful aspect of life is that we don't have time to learn everything deeply. This limitation forces us to choose what truly matters to us.

Many people resist making these choices. They want it all, hoping shortcuts will let them skip the hard parts while still reaping the rewards.

But life doesn't work that way. Just as Alex and Jordan couldn't both take different paths to the mountain top, we can't simultaneously choose depth and convenience.

We must decide what deserves our full attention and commitment. What skills, relationships, and experiences are worth the harder path?

By choosing purposefully and investing deeply in what matters, we create a more fulfilling life. We become fully present in what we're doing rather than always rushing to the next thing.

Bringing Depth to Modern Life

How do we apply this wisdom in a world that constantly pushes for faster and easier?

Start by identifying one area where you've been taking shortcuts. Perhaps it's in learning a skill, developing a relationship, or experiencing your surroundings.

Ask yourself: What might I gain by taking the longer, more challenging path here?

Like Jordan on the mountain trail, you might discover that the journey itself holds as much value as the destination. The difficulties you face might become the very things that make the experience meaningful.

Remember that quality rarely comes from convenience. The things we value most—deep relationships, mastery of skills, meaningful experiences—usually require sustained effort and time.

When you feel resistance to taking the harder path, recognize this as a signal. It points to where growth awaits if you're willing to push through.

The View from the Summit

Both Alex and Jordan from our parable saw the same sunrise from Eagle's Peak. Both could show photos of their achievement.

But only Jordan truly knew the mountain. Only Jordan had stories that continued to gain meaning and depth with each retelling.

In your own life, which experiences will provide stories worth retelling? Which skills will give you capabilities that no shortcut could provide?

The quality of our lives ultimately depends less on what we achieve and more on how we achieve it. The depth of our experiences matters more than their quantity.

Choose your mountains carefully. And when possible, take the path that lets you truly know them, not just visit their peaks.

What area of your life might benefit from a deeper, more challenging approach today?