CURRENT MISSION

To leave the world a better place than I found it.

ABOUT ME

I am a Swami of the Giri monastic order within Hinduism. I am a personal fitness trainer. I am very gung-ho about Permaculture.

PHILOSOPHY

The greatest good one can do, in my opinion, is to enlighten in this body. By this I mean attaining, through practice or sadhana, the direct and conscious realization that there is nothing that is not God; you are all of manifest creation and, at the same time you are none of it. The realization of That only makes everything we experience here in this world that much richer and more vibrant.

Second to that goal is the practice of being of service. I strive to serve in the highest way that I can, personally. It is a powerful practice to leave things better than you found them and behave toward others in a way that uplifts them.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I had a good experience surfing when I was traveling the country. Since I'm in a position to pay it forward, I decided to do so!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I spent the spring and summer last year couchsurfing. In Minnesota, between visits with family and old friends, I meditated and studied permaculture intensively. More than one person, who I thought was doing me a favor, tearfully thanked me for introducing them to the spiritual path that I am on before I left.

When I was in Kentucky, I contributed to an earth hut, planted several no-till garden beds, started a food forest, dug a small irrigation pond, and built a chicken tractor.

I first came to Los Angeles to visit my Guru and have since relocated here. LA can be a rough place but couchsurfing played a huge part in my having a soft landing. My couchsurfing hosts are still some of my best friends.

Interests

Yoga, fitness, reading, permaculture, gardening, music, herbs

• dining
• fitness
• yoga
• meditation
• gardening
• reading
• traveling
• music
• surfing

Music, Movies, and Books

Permaculture: A designer's manual
Tao Te Ching
Upanishads
Autobiography of a Yogi
The Second Coming of Christ: Awakening of the Christ Within You
Play of Consciousness

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have seen amazing things in meditation, contemplation, and nature. Too many to pull a specific one from such a vague question at the moment.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States