The wise who know the Self,
bodiless,
seated within perishable bodies,
great and all-pervading,
grieve not.

Katha Upanishad - Part 2, Verse 22
(Translated by Swami Paramananda)
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I started a documentary called “The Alpinist” about a guy who’s been ascending his way up history’s boldest climbers lists. Fella spent most of his “career” dead broke, living in a stairwell, doing nothing but enjoying a free-spirited lifestyle.

As someone who’s afraid of heights, I barely had the balls to watch, never mind consider getting out there. But it led me to wonder how many of us partake in any activities in our lifetimes where a single false move could mean our demise. Other than driving, I suppose, but that doesn’t come with the zeroed in bliss described by Marc-André Leclerc while he solos snowy, icy, rocky peaks that other climbers wouldn’t even dare. He puts his life on the line on a daily basis, just for kicks.

I don’t get the impression Marc is a Hindu sage, but he seems to have found his way toward realizing the body and Self are separate entities. Diagnosed with ADHD as a square child forced into a round public school, he found a hobby that cleared his “squirrel mind.” Ascending deadly rock faces was his meditation to achieve inner silence.

After a climb that had him dangling off a cliff by one arm, an interviewer asked, “How was it?”

Marc’s reply was, “Super fun!”

“Scary?”

“Not really.”

“Are you dead inside?” I hoped the interviewer might ask. Or has he realized such a level of non-attachment that fear no longer exists.

But where is the line between foolish and brave, bold and stupid, free and insane? This is what I wondered as I shoveled more pre-popped popcorn into my face on a comfy couch. I’m not even sure if those questions were answered because I turned in like a good little cog in the wheel to be well-rested for my 9-5 the next day.

I don’t think we should all abandon society to live in a stairwell, but there is something to be admired about such a free spirit, and perhaps a lesson to be had about not fearing mortality that we can apply to our lives.

Although, Marc did mention dropping six tabs of acid at a party once, so maybe all this can be chalked up to a fried circuit. We’ll never know.