Hello fellow travelers!

Quick summary:
I was born and raised in the USA to parents who immigrated from India. They took me traveling a lot as a child. I like to think that both growing up with parents who immigrated to the US and seeing other parts of the world from a young age planted the seeds of intense curiosity which grew into much of what defines me today including the draw towards being an explorer/seeker.

I now live near San Francisco, California, feel blessed to do what I do for work, and currently have far less time to travel than I have had in the past and hope to have in the future. Meeting travelers keeps my inner-explorer alive and well.

Let's sync up and expand each others worlds just a bit!

👆

👈 🌍 👉

👇

**************************************************
I wrote the rest of this profile to make it easier to connect in person -- pease feel free to skip the rest of this unreasonably long profile -- clearly, I like to write 😂
**************************************************

I love experiencing and connecting with people who are in that flexible state of mind that can come with traveling. Getting the local perspective and peeking into how people live their lives adds so much richness to my travels and life. I definitely end up cherishing the people I meet traveling more than the sites (although it's truly impossible to separate the two). I deeply value truth/learning/growth, adventure/play, and meaningful connection with people, places, and nature --- traveling seems to involve all of these on multiple levels.

Inner or outer travel makes little difference to me.
Like many of you, I am an explorer at heart. I love how exploring new places can bring me to the freshness and innocence of experience that's just at the edge of the known. Spontaneity is a spice of life that seems to re-awaken my palate so I may really taste experiences again after things have seemed to have gone dull.

I am drawn to anything that has the potential to expand us. I love traveling to experience the world and connect with people and myself in new ways. I'd say the longest journey I have embarked on is the few centimeters from living in the head to living from the heart. Right now I'm on an unintended detour but having a wicked good time hanging out at a hot spring in a valley just off the subclavian vein. 😂

I am a massive fan of the cultural connection and curiosity CS promotes. I have met many wonderful people through CS and sites like it -- these sites have completely shaped what traveling means to me and how I see myself and people in the world we share.

Some things I love/enjoy deeply:
- health/wellness, mindfulness/meditation and connecting with people - these are real passions.
- connecting with animals including (and sometimes especially) quirky humans -- love meeting people and connecting people to build community, getting beyond the surface, and the feeling that we have known each other a lot longer than the time we shared.
- learning in both superficial and deep ways; reading, synthesizing and sharing knowledge - I have been somewhat addicted to learning - slowly making my way into recovery now.
- music, film, and media with heart. Live music.
- being active outdoors - nature makes my spirit dance.
- psychology, sociology, science, spirituality - love seeing where the forest meets the trees.
- open hearted communication one-on-one or in groups.
- meditating/insight oriented activity, contemplation, reflection.
- writing, drawing, creating. Poetry.
- philosophy, optimization, and growth.
- creativity and innovation.
- connection, kindness, generosity, inclusiveness, courage/adventure, freedom, authenticity, openness, honesty, integrity, wholeheartedness, cohesion.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To be a part of and promote the culture of CouchSurfing and share the joys of authentic connection, exploration, and community.

Before CS, I was on hospitalityclub.org and globalfreeloaders.net for many years. I *love* how these sites make it possible to connect with so many wonderful people sites and enjoy how these interactions shape my travel experiences and me. I enjoy spending time taking in other people, assuming a different perspective, absorbing another culture, and connecting deeply with people I would not otherwise have had the chance to encounter in the same way. One of my greatest joys is the deep memory or lasting bond that forms as a result of travel experiences with other people on a similar wavelength.

Interests

• chocolate
• vegan
• yoga
• meditation
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• billiards
• music
• entrepreneurship
• science
• road trips
• mountains
• tea
• spirituality
• intentional communities
• buddhism
• public health
• healthy living
• dreaming
• taoism
• coaching
• healthy lifestyle
• community
• advocacy
• nonviolent communication
• design thinking
• personal growth
• integral theory
• leadership
• social entrepreneurship
• enneagram
• nonduality
• cognitive psychology
• behavioral economics
• evolutionary biology
• gtd
• soulfulness
• preventive medicine
• authentic relating circles
• lifestyle medicine
• collective impact
• motivational interviewing

Music, Movies, and Books

I am usually in many books that expand my horizons in some way. good times!

Instrumental music draws me in (electronic - soundscapes/psy, ambient, house-ish, jazz, classical), world music, dub-reggae, conscious hiphop, and indie. I particularly enjoy surfing the waves of beautiful live music.

Films that are moving/heartfelt, educational/inspirational, or slightly mind-bending or twisted captivate me - some examples - Century of the Self, 13th, Lion, Searching for Sugarman, Eternal Sunshine, Groundhog Day, Shawshank Redemption. I like the style of films listed at 'spiritualityandpractice.com' under the films and dvds sections.

Some quotes:
“This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.”
— George Bernard Shaw

"Step into the fire of self-discovery. This fire will not burn you, it will only burn what you are not.”
― Mooji

“Life is the dancer and you are the dance.”
― Eckhart Tolle

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Holding a baby at the moment of her birth.

Being humbled by the wild curves of Mae Hong Son Loop in northern Thailand on motorbike (.....with extremely limited riding experience).

Discovering presence, passion, health, meaning and love ---- and walking with others on this journey, accepting support and sharing inspiration on the path.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can share my:
- enthusiasm for life
- listening ear and limitless curiosity
- passion around health, growth, exploration, transformation

I am always learning whether you are formally teaching or not.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Respect for you, your space, your time, your rules, and local customs.

Always beautiful to share in meaningful conversations and new adventures.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahamas, Cambodia, Canada, Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, India, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Switzerland, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States