Hi!

I am a young adult male in the midst of a one (ish) year journey around Eastern Asia. I practice meditation, Qi Gong, and Yoga. I am interested in spiritual communities, and as such have lived within such environments for more than my fair share of time :) I also love reading and talking about eastern philosophy. Currently, Zen and Taoism make the most sense to me.

I am calm, mellow and friendly, with a bit of intensity. I enjoy connecting one-on-one but also enjoy crowds occassionally. I give a damn good massage, often with Reiki involved. You can have one if you want.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Part of travelling - OK, most of travelling - is the people we meet along the way. The more inspiring souls I meet, and the more people I can inspire in return, the better off the entire world is. Couch surfing is a great way to connect with new friends and to make a difference, even in the littlest way, the smallest conversation.
Money is also a concern as I attempt to stretch this trip over as long of a period as I can. I'd love to spend a night or two, or until I impose on your hospitality. Ha.

Interests

I suppose I sort of explained this above!

Besides the esoteric stuff, I enjoy hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, slack lining, and downhill skiing. MOUNTAINS. HIGH ALTITUDE. God, I feel so good in such places. Wow. I spent four months living out of my van in Arizona last fall, and I noticed that I felt the most comfortable in the places over 2000m.

I also enjoy cooking and vegetarian food. I would like to learn Hindi or Nepali.

• performing arts
• dining
• cooking
• vegetarian
• yoga
• meditation
• drinking
• reading
• traveling
• cycling
• hiking
• surfing
• skiing
• rock climbing
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Books

Living by Zen - DT Suzuki
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - R. Pirsig
The Fountainhead - Ann Raynd
Nature, Man and Woman - Alan Watts

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I spent an entire weekend last fall cooped up in a deep cave near Sedona, AZ, not eating or drinking, meditating and being in the silence. It was weird.

I've done multiple ayahuasca ceremonies. Some people think that's really cool.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm not sure what this section is for. See below!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I teach yoga professionally. Lots of experience there.
I perform Reiki, and have found my own pressure-point massage technique that some love.
I have taught meditation (informally)
Beginning to teach Qi Gong as well
Would love to learn Hindi or Nepali, would be willing to teach English
I am a university trained counsellor specializing in addictions, so can offer an ear to listen or help process issues that are coming up.
I have worked in at least three organic farms, and have experience with that sort of thing, as well as permaculture and sustainable building techniques.
Lots of experience doing mundane chores - ashrams and monasteries might call it "working meditation" or "karma yoga" ;)

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Thailand, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Thailand, United States