Pushing boundaries

Pursuit of excellence calls for a constant striving for perfection; it is doing things well consistently. It is not letting failure dampen your spirits. The Greeks had a word for it: arete, which means excellence, pushing boundaries and being the most fully realised human being. Arete emphasises the process and the finding of joy in outcomes, which are natural consequences of following the process. Arete is about being the best version of yourself.

A case in point is Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis, a genius pole vaulter. Pole vault is among the most challenging sports; it requires the speed of a 100-m sprinter, the upper-body strength of a gymnast, and agility of a high jumper. This kind of athleticism comes after years of sustained practice, relentlessly perfecting the process and pursuing excellence.

Duplantis has demonstrated all these qualities and more. He recently broke the world record in pole vault for an incredible 14th time.


On deeper reflection, one realises that pursuing excellence requires effort, a willingness to experiment, hard work, an 'awareness' that prevents distraction, resilience and integrity. Paths to excellence and spirituality are the same - both a journey of self- discovery and reaching heights that you did not know existed.

So, even as Duplantis soared above 6.3 m, it is almost as if he is reaching out to gods before gracefully descending. A gentle reminder that excellence and spirituality can help you transcend many a barrier. But at the end of the day, one must never forget that one is only human.