Nothing is weaker than water,
Yet for overcoming what is hard and strong,
Nothing surpasses it."
-Lao Tzu, Chinese Philosopher
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| A Buddhist man takes in the water at Ithaca Falls in Ithaca,NY. |
I'll begin this post with four words: "Don't try this yourself."
But one man, Soutchay Insinxiengmay (in-sing-may), is brave (and maybe just crazy enough) to climb the face of a rushing waterfall.
"I just felt like I was apart of the waterfall, like, I wasn’t scared or tepid or anything," said Insinxiengmay, "You just go up there and feel it."
Thailand-born, Insinxiengmay came to New York to study at Binghamton University. He now lives in Binghamton working as a market researcher. But during the summer, he becomes a sort-of water monk, sitting amidst gallons of rushing water pounding him without flinching or even taking off his glasses.
"It was like a spiritual experience for me," he said still drenched in water, "I just wanted to let anything that was negative just flow, and take in all the good positive energy that the waterfull generated."
Insinxiengmay said he started climbing waterfalls this summer when he came to Ithaca and saw all of the falls it had to offer. He said he’s already lost count on how many falls he’s climbed. He plans to keep climbing as long as he lives in the area.
“I think God put it [the falls] here, and it’s amazing,” Insinxiengmay said.
Insinxiengmay identifies himself as a Buddhist. While he carefully traversed the side of the falls, he said he chanted prayers for family and friends. At times, he sat so still amidst the splashing water as if locked in a trance.
Insinxiengmay said the activity is not easy, and he is extremely careful.
Ithaca’s waterfalls and gorges are the site of numerous accidents each year. Climbing gorges and waterfalls when signs restrict it can carry heavy fines.
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