CURRENT MISSION

TO BE....Fully

ABOUT ME

I moved to Kathmandu, Nepal in late 2014, and am exploring the possibility of making this my longer term home. Before then I was living in Phnom Penh, Cambodia for the 8 years. Having left my full time job last year, I am working independently as a consultant supporting democratic development and social change, mostly in post-conflict countries. The part of my work that I'm most passionate about is teaching NonViolent Communication, which is based on cultivating self awareness and capacity for empathy and authentic expression. Related to that is the one-to-one life coaching work that I do. I consider the basic practice of connecting with others on an empathetic level to be among the greatest joys. I love meeting other travelers and seekers, and hearing stories about the things that give them life and inspiration. This forms the basis of my work as a dialogue facilitator and life/leadership coach, where I often support people and groups in dealing with conflict.

When visiting a new place, my greatest enjoyment is just getting out, wandering, getting lost, geting found again, and meeting people along the way. The first think I do when I get to a new country is to get a map and a language book. Whether I'm there for a week, or several months, I try to pick up as much of the language as possible. I love discovering those little insights that language (and the way people construct their ideas) reveals about a culture.

PHILOSOPHY

If it happened, it should have. I belive that all of life is about having experiences and extracting the lessons they bring. My basic understanding is that god is within, and the work of daily life is to connect with it and live in it.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I travel extensively for work, but when I have some time off in my travels, I love connecting with CSers, both at home and in the countries that I visit. Most of the time I don't really need a place to stay, but I value the opportunity to connect with people over mutual interests. When I'm home and available, I love hosting interesting people.

Living in popular tourist destinations like Phnom Penh and Kathmandu, I get tons of couch requests, and sometimes get weary of anonymous requests that give no indication that someone has even read the profile. All of my best guests have been people who had taken the time to read before they sent the request (unfortunately, this message is only getting to the folks who are reading the profile, and not the ones I'm talking about :-(

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I was very active on CS a couple years ago (2012 and 2013), and hosted many people (and been hosted) during that time. I've been less active over the last year or so, but am coming back to connect more with this great community.

Interests

Activity wise, I enjoy Cycling, rock climbing, paragliding, trekking, whitewater kayaking, ultimate frisbee, photography, scuba.

On the important side, I have a dedicated spiritual practice that I am committed to. I love to connect with people who are inclined towards understanding themselves and their true nature through whatever path or means.

I love to explore new places. My favorite things to do in a new city are putting on my running shoes in the morning, running off and getting lost and then found again. I also love finding the highest point in town and getting the view from the top. In both of these activities, the greatest enjoyment is what I learn about the place and the people in the process of exploring.

• cats
• culture
• books
• photography
• yoga
• running
• coach
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• drawing
• cycling
• kayaking
• scuba diving
• rock climbing
• paragliding
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

All time favorite movies: Monty Python (all of them, Cohen Brothers films (all of them), Pedro Amaldovar (especially "Talk to Her, and "Et tu mama tambien" Other movies that come to mind at the moment: Harold and Maud; Groundhog Day, Zoro-the gay blade, City of Lost Children, Fiddler on the roof, Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Music: broad range, but I love Bluegrass as well as flaminco guitar and alot of traditional african rhythems. (Malian in particular). Some particular artists that I love are: John Prine, Chuck Brodsky, Boxing Gandhis, Gypsy Kings, the Chieftains, Poi Dog Pondering, Pink Martini. OK, I hate to admit it, but I'm also a Niel Diamond fan (there... I'm out)

Books (in no particular order): Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving), The Gift (poems by Hafiz), East of Eden (Steinbeck), Slaughterhouse Five (Vonnegut), Beneath the Wheel (Herman Hess), The Bhagavad Gita, Lamb (Christopher Moore), Confederacy of Dunces (John Kennedy O'Toole).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

If I have to choose just one, I guess it would be that I've ridden my bicycle across the US. I guess if I had to choose another one it would be that I once amputated a cat's leg to save it from gangrene. In comparing the two, I think the bicycle trip was easier...it just took longer.

Teach, Learn, Share

I teach NonViolent Communication, which a way of being with ourselves and others that builds deeper connection and shared understanding by focusing on universal human needs and values as well as the feelings underlying them. I am always seeking new and creative ways of sharing this with others.

I am a certified yoga teacher, although I don't teach professionally. However, I have a regular practice and am always willing to share my appreciation for yoga with others.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Same as above. Also, I'm willing to share my time, attention and my thoughts on life. I draw the line at sharing my toothbrush.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Canada, Côte d'Ivoire, Denmark, France, Germany, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Panama, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Senegal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Cambodia, Mali, Nepal, United States

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