I'm a Traditional Tibetan Medicine Doctor, teacher, and digital nomad. I've been doing the American expat thing since August 2016, spending large chunks of time in Kathmandu and London/Oxford, among many other countries. I'm originally from Colorado (kinda), but I lived in a handful of states on both coasts of the US, and really don't consider anywhere in America to be my home. I'm hoping to move to Europe within the near future, but until then am taking up a fairly nomadic lifestyle and letting the path unfold organically.

Instagram: Erikjampa

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've spent the past 15 months living in or traveling through 16 countries. I love experiencing new cultures and communities in an authentic way, and enjoy connecting with actual people while I travel. As of November 2017, I still haven't properly used Couchsurfing for accommodations since I have a pretty wide network of friends that I stay with in much of the world. But I believe in the world that this site strives to create and very much consider myself a Couchsurfer.

Interests

Vajrayana Buddhism, natural medicine, Tibetology, religion, philosophy, and mythology of all kinds, alternative and sustainable living, social justice and activism, anthropology.

• arts
• folklore
• dancing
• cooking
• dieting
• meditation
• gardening
• music
• guitar
• adventure races
• buddhist
• anthropology
• history
• languages
• medicine
• religion
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Books:

I have a sizable library in storage in the states. J.R.R Tolkien's works are my all-time favorite, otherwise I mainly stick to non-fiction. Lots of books relating to Tibetan culture or Buddhism, but I also greatly enjoy stuff in the vein of Naomi Klein and Russell Brand. Currently working on Sapiens.

Movies:

I'm terrible at remembering movies that I enjoy. Cloud Atlas and The Babadook are recent favorites. I do love PJ's LOTR trilogy, for all it's flaws, but have a hard time with The Hobbit films.

Music:

The top played artists on my iPhone include:
Fleetwood Mac
Sara Bareilles
Sondheim
Cher
Amy Winehouse
Adele
Sam Smith
Hozier
Edith Piaf
Nicki Minaj
Joni Mitchell
John Denver
Lady Gaga

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

As a capstone to my Tibetan Medical education, I completed a 5-month clinical internship in Kathmandu at the beginning of 2017. I saw over a thousand patients all over Nepal, and offered treatments at a free medical camp in a little village in Southeastern Nepal.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love talking about travel, philosophy, ancient cultures, and esoteric philosophies. I'm a doctor of Traditional Tibetan Medicine and am trained in a number of Tibetan therapeutic modalities. I teach Tibetan meditation and healing yoga, as well.

I am always open to learning. I would love to learn more about gardening/farming, sustainable living, any and all languages, other cultural and religious customs, and anything else you would like to teach me. I'd like to *really* learn how to cook. I can get by, but I want it to become something enjoyable.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can give you nutritional and herbal advice (ONLY if desired) based on Traditional Tibetan Medicine, sometimes including formula recommendations and external therapies.
I practice two forms of traditional astrology (Hellenistic and Tibetan), and can do a wide range of astrological readings and analyses, as well as Tibetan geomantic evaluations.
I can offer some meditation and healing yoga instructions.
I play guitar and uke and have a musical background. Always happy to make music with others.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Bhutan, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Nepal, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Thailand, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States