CURRENT MISSION

I am a lazy spiritual seeker and western capitalist in denial...for more info see www.uclathinker.wordpress.com

ABOUT ME

I am a very nice guy. Laid back with an extroverted shyness. I am a book nerd and love history. I come from a working class background but have been very privileged and blessed with success (still working on the monetary success!). Gay guy here, so if you have any particular bias there (or preference) its good for you to know.

PHILOSOPHY

I would probably be considered fairly conservative by European standards even though I have liberal political beliefs. I am just enjoying life, engaging spirituality in and out of religion but not committed to any one philosophy. I would love to hear yours as long as you are not trying to convert.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have had many great experiences hosting, being hosted by and meeting surfers all over the world and look forward to many more or these experiences in the near future.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Traveling frequently between Cairo and Amman I slept on many-a-couch and floor. Same can be said for my time as a student activist in college. I have hosted about 15-20 people so far and have been hosted about 15+ times in 7 different countries and had wonderful experiences. I really look forward to more chances to host/be hosted soon!

Interests

Reading, Deep conversations about the nature of the universe, sleeping, the internet, history and historical monuments.

• books
• reading
• traveling
• blogging
• history
• religion
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

Paulo Coehlo - Anything
Umberto Eco - Baudalino
J.D. Salinger - Catcher in the Rye
Fight Club (Book and Movie)
Forrest Gump
Flobots, System of a Down, Tupac, Matisyahu, Rage, Ozomatl

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Crossing the Red Sea on a ship reserved for truckers. Also falling off of a commuter bus in Cairo and living to tell the story!

Teach, Learn, Share

I enjoy discussing mysticism and philosophy. I also love history. I also write and maintain a blog. Something I wrote recently:

There was a great mystical guide once, whose close students, upon his passing, were asked by the laity what they learned from the great master. In roughly translated Arabic they answered, "In it, there is good..." They were asked, "In what?," and answered, "All things." It is not that all things ARE good, but that the observer should find something good (a lesson, a warning, an unexpected detour that led, after pain, to somewhere better, a bright light in an otherwise dark place). With all of the chaos in the world, this concept, fihi Khair, free of dogma, is what sustains me and allows to me continue having hope even where none is readily found. It has been a hard few months/years/decade but the light ahead is blindingly bright and expansive and the lessons I have learned will inform my future - but not confine it. The Good I've seen in those difficult times, however, is the source of the light I see ahead.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Ghana, Netherlands, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, United States

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