MISSION

Strengthen the balance and health in and between the mind, body and spirituality and get things moving.

I tend to intellectualize things and analyse profoundly, which is beautiful in many cases, although my quest now is to dedicate the same focus to emotional, spiritual and philosophical maturity. Find it essential to at least try to peel away the layers of societal indoctrination to reach the core of my being, the shradda, what captivates me and the livity and believes that I find to be true and good, which I don't find to be the same as the interpretation of success that social and consumer norms try to sell us.

I strive to be honest and kind, further cultivate virtues of humility, patience, awareness, solidarity and become a better listener, be courageous and believe in my capacities and walk towards realizing and engaging in important projects circling in and around me.

Most fascinated by the power of the mind. Notions such as the sublime, peak moments and epiphanies captivate my attention and draw me to picking the brains of my friends and the people I meet, and has me mesmerised by the ideas of Joseph Campbell from the perspective of mythology, historian Yuval Noah Harari, and other sharp observations and critiques of society and podcast thinkers like Russell Brand and Sam Harris, very honest and piercing reality.

I intend to follow my bliss and enthusiasm that’s the best guide in life (recognized it? It’s Paulo Coelho who surely got it from someone else maybe the Prophet…) but real advice, that has paved the way for many authentic experiences and connections. So, must keep listening to the good old intuition, be present and lean against a self-discovered personal moral and discipline when the clearity of such intuition and connection fail, which it does from time to time. Give food to the curious and inquisitive mind, seek the learning opportunities even in challenging situations and practice to free up my mind from attachments and expectations. Boom

I apologize that this is quickly turning into my memoirs and applaud you if your still with me… And if that wasn’t self-centred enough here’s some more…

ABOUT ME

I'm drawn to the wisdom of the world, indigenous cultures, connection with nature, food (the whole journey from planting seeds and harvesting or relishing at organic markets, cooking and deliciousness landing on my taste buds) intriguing conversations and vibes. Love quick witty and mischievous humour and people who are not afraid to cross taboos, be alone or face intense introspection.

I’ve lost interest in superficial and repetitive conversations and facades and very much dislike opportunism.

Try to identify with internal and human values and capacities, realizing that all things material are temporary and no lasting source of connection and fulfilment. An aim for my seeking inner balance is for it spread outward and build connected, supportive and joyous relationships with family, lovers and friends, and be a person people can trust and confide in.

PHILOSOPHY (think I got it covered in my mission manifesto up there, but)

Love the life you live and live the life you love. Live and let live. (basically, everything that starts with L, I like it)

LIFE RECENTLY

The past 4 months I was living in Chiapas and Oaxaca in southern Mexico, mostly in mountain and jungle villages learning about indigenous cultures Zapoteco, Maya, Lancandon and the Zapatista movement. I absolutely love Mexico with its raging art scene, living cultural diversity, ancestral connections and wisdom, magical ruins of fallen civilizations and powerful natural landscapes.
Before that I was teaching Spanish, English and geography at a secondary school in Sweden.
Before which I spent some months in Tanzania, which was my home years ago and the reunion with friends was just extraordinary in my experience! also I had built up a craving for ugali (dongo in Dar es Salaam, or posho in Uganda) maize flour dough that was no joke… think only East Africans or people who has been there can relate to this craving…)
Again before that I lived some months in Jamaica working with deforestation and ecosystem services research in the Blue Mountains forests. I was drawn to Jamaica because of my love for reggae and the reasoning and consciousness encouraged in the rasta culture, and I came home with vibrant interviews, music recordings and profound connections, memories and just good vibes.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I think it’s a wonderful network that spreads hope, unity and trust, and non-economic relationships among people much needed in our world.

Member for many years but haven't used it much yet, surfed a few times and met some brilliant people. I’m currently on the lookout for a home on the countryside in Andalucía, Spain that I want to open up to hosting travellers and pay it forward.

Interests

• cats
• culture
• writing
• folklore
• flamenco
• cooking
• breakfast
• yoga
• meditation
• reading
• podcasts
• live music
• jazz
• guitar
• reggae music
• hiking
• hinduism
• teaching
• geography
• languages
• philosophy
• political science
• mountains
• massage
• permaculture
• buddhism
• comedy
• french
• macrame
• consciousness
• ceramics
• vegetarian cooking
• vegan cooking
• spanish
• rastafari
• music production
• debating
• trova
• nature conservation
• conspiracy theories
• reasoning
• swahili
• sam harris
• joe rogan
• russell brand
• imitations
• ezln
• headspace
• sankhya
• jamaican patois

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: The prophet, Bagadva Gita, Spaiens, Homo Deus, Capital, The social contract, Shamtaram Siddartha, and others by Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung, Johan Rockström, Bill Bryson, Lester Brown, Paulo Coelho, Russell Brand (yes I like him). On the reading list waits the teachings of don juan, the power of now, the woman who runs with wolfs, the upanishads, the power of now, civil disobedience, the bible, Malala, Naomi Klein, Yanis Varoufakis and so many more but there is still room for some more recommendations :)

Films I love include, Captain Fantastic, Boy (NZ), Gladiator (unexpectedly) Frida, Game of Thrones, Diarios de Motocicleta

Music, Love roots reggae namely Protoje, Lila Iké, Damian Marley, Dub inc, Alpha Blondy, Chronixx, Akae Beka.
Ethiopian music, Bossa nova, Nueva Trova, folk, cumbia. Silvio Rodríguez, Mano chao, Paul Simon, Mando diao, Tracy Chapman, Elvis Presley

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Reggae dancing in the Rift Valley in Uganda with rastageographers.
Stargazing from sand dunes in the desert in Namibia.
Humpback wales jumping of the coast of Ecuador.
Zip-lining in the cloud-rainforest Monte Verde in Costa Rica.
Full on karaoke singalong on a public chicken traveling in inland Belize.
Temazcal ceremonial ritual in México.
Living in Jamaica breathing critical conversations and conscious reggae vibes.
Fiesta de Santos santería ritual in Cuba with folklore rumba.

Teach, Learn, Share

Nature connection and conservation, sustainably livity, culture and music exchange and sharing inspiring ideas, philosophy and experiences.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Traveling stories, scientific and cultural knowledge from my studies and life, language exchange spanish, english, swedish, french and mostly a positive energy.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belize, Cambodia, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, Laos, Malaysia, Morocco, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Peru, Rwanda, Thailand, Uganda, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, France, Jamaica, Mexico, Spain, Tanzania