Finding Stillness Without Escaping to the Mountains

Yes, at the very moment when you think it’s enough and you should now leave everything or go to the mountains or to the next trip, at that very moment the escapism from “what is” takes us away from the void of the inner self — the very void that gives us the wake-up call to understand reality.

This call is the silence between the thoughts, a silence that raises no voice. Instead of understanding the void or Stillness, we choose escapism or Chaos — we choose to run away.

Understanding this silence is not easy. It shakes you from the depths of your being and reveals that there is no inherent meaning in life — and that what is truly needed is choiceless awareness, a freedom that does not depend on conditions. This freedom of the self does not want you to run away under the name of “travelling,” actually it asks to take a deep dive into the self.

When we choose the path of escapism instead of complete freedom, it gives only temporary relief — like a painkiller that validates a dopamine release, freeing us from worries for a short period. It is no different from what happens with alcohol or any other mind-relaxing therapy.

Of course, this should not be misunderstood as abandoning all the work that gives you strength and helps you understand yourself and reality. Rather, it is about choosing to see the inherent meaninglessness of all these pursuits — while still acknowledging that they are necessary in this practical world.

The practical world works on comparison, duality, and the reinforcement of society’s conditioning. Anything outside this set pattern is called rebellion. But here, the rebel is not the one escaping into the mountains or start shopping unnecessary to avoid worries — the rebel is the one who understands the voidness of this practical world, which endlessly runs on desires, passions, and competition to prove one’s presence or authority. This authority often comes from the ego-driven “self.”

For as long as human history remembers — from living in the jungle until today — we have sought social bonds to express our minds and prove our authority over others, whether through greater talent or skill. But too much talent or skill can create the illusion of “self,” driven by ego, leading to chaos — the constant need to prove one’s superiority. In the end, this justifies its own ego-driven behaviour through “success” in society.

This entire play is set up by society — and in it, society is always the winner. It doesn’t matter whether someone loses or wins; the society always wins.

Whether you win and retreat to the mountains, believing you’ve achieved and now have the authority to exploit nature, or whether you lose and take time to relax before fighting again — the battles remain within society, all to please it.

And in every fight, freedom drifts further away. Eventually, the light of awakening grows dimmer and dimmer.

This light — or silence, or void, whatever you wish to call it — is consciousness itself. It is aware of everything, it is the silence between two waves (thoughts of your mind), and it is the silent observer.

"The Silence Beyond"

Between two thoughts—
a breathless hush,
no name,
no echo—
only the moment holding
its own unblinking eye.

It is not despair.
It is not peace.
It is the void that watches
without wishing.

Waves arrive, then leave.
Each forgets the other,
yet the sea remembers.
I sit
at the lip of the now,
unwritten, unwriting.

And in that stillness,
where even gods grow quiet,
I meet myself
as if
for the very first time.

When Escapism Hurts the Mountains

But there is another dimension to this modern escapism: its environmental cost. Our yearning to flee the cities for mountain landscapes is putting unprecedented strain on fragile ecosystems.

• Mount Everest: Climbers leave behind thousands of kilograms of trash each season, earning it the name “world’s highest garbage dump.” Waste includes plastics, human waste, and discarded gear that persist in the cold environment (National Geographic).
• Himalayan waste crisis: The Indian Himalayan Region generates an estimated 8 million tonnes of tourist-related waste annually, overwhelming local disposal systems (Down To Earth).
• Leh, Ladakh: During peak tourist season, daily waste output reaches 12–15 tonnes, much of it non-biodegradable, contaminating rivers and pastures (Hindustan Times).
• Himachal Pradesh (Manali): Facilities designed for 20–30 tonnes of waste daily are receiving up to 100 tonnes, leading to uncontrolled dumping and soil degradation (The Hindu).
• Ecological risks: Waste left behind pollutes meltwater streams, accelerates soil erosion, destabilizes slopes, and disrupts local wildlife (WWF India).

Minimalism & Nature Conservation

If the mountains are to remain places of refuge, our way of visiting them must change. Minimalism — travelling light, buying less, leaving no trace — directly reduces the pressure on fragile ecosystems.

• Pack reusable bottles, containers, and cloth bags.
• Stay on marked trails to prevent further erosion.
• Carry all non-biodegradable waste back with you.
• Support local conservation efforts and community waste programs.
• Travel off-peak to reduce seasonal pressure.

Escapism, when tempered by responsibility, can be restorative. Without it, we risk destroying the very landscapes we seek for solace.