MISSION: Exploring the world...sharing experiences...creating open minds...)'( PASSIONS: There are three things about which I am most passionate... Teaching: I have taught in universities, professional conferences, and small villages in third world countries to both adults and to children (mainly math, science, and technology). My belief is that a person really never knows a topic in depth until he or she has taught it. Students will challenge the teacher to think differently about a subject when it is taught well. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the "light go on" when a student comprehends an important concept. Music: I believe that music is a means of communication that transcends all cultural barriers. Music can communicate joy, sorrow, stories of courage, political messages, and just about everything that one can express with feelings of passion. My mother was a professional musician (classical cellist) and I was a DJ for 15+ years in my days of being a student (which lasted a very long time...). My musical tastes are as diverse as they are obscure. I listen to music of all kinds and from all nationalities. Live music performances are even better! Travel: One must explore to experience this world. I love nature and the outdoors. I am passionate about art of all kinds (music, painting, sculpture, architecture) and am constantly seeking out the diversity of its many forms that exist on our globe. People, culture, food, history, and architecture are all part and parcel to a fulfilling travel experience. Would you like to be happy...I would recommend to buy less stuff and travel more! PHILOSOPHY: Part I: * I am more interested in what I can create than in what I can consume. * I am more interested in what I can share than in what I can own. * I am more interested in living my own life rather than viewing others on television or the big screen. * I think for myself and choose my own heroes. Part II: The Seven Deadly Sins: 1. Wealth without work 2. Pleasure without conscience 3. Knowledge without character 4. Commerce without morality 5. Science without humanity 6. Worship without sacrifice 7. Politics without principle Mahatma Gandhi October 22, 1925 The Eighth Deadly Sin: 8. Rights without responsibility Arun Gandhi September 16, 2013 Part III: "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." -Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad/Roughing It Part IV: "Your heart is free. Have the courage to follow it." -Malcolm Wallace Part V: “Travel is never a matter of money, but of courage." – Paulo Coelho Part VI: Age is more of a frame of mind than it is a count of years. I am convinced that I am much "younger" than most people that have fewer than half my number of years. Keep curious and keep learning to stay young. I very often host and surf with people having many fewer years than I because it keeps me young! "Age shouldn't affect you. It's just like the size of your shoes - they don't determine how you live your life! You're either marvelous or you're boring, regardless of your age." - Morrissey Part VII: "Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean Part VIII: Respect All: humans, animals, ecology, religions, races, ethnicities, sexual preferences, ... you get the idea. Part IX: My philosophy regarding travel is very much aligned to the ethos of Burning Man and its 10 principles. I always try to apply these principles in the context of couch surfing: 1. RADICAL INCLUSION: Anyone may be a part of our global community. We welcome and respect the stranger. No prerequisites exist for participation in our community. 2. GIFTING: Our global community is devoted to acts of gift giving. The value of a gift is unconditional. Gifting does not contemplate a return or an exchange for something of equal value. 3. DECOMMODIFICATION: In order to preserve the spirit of gifting, our community seeks to create social environments that are unmediated by financial transactions. We stand ready to protect our culture from such exploitation. We resist the substitution of consumption for participatory experience. 4. RADICAL SELF-RELIANCE: Travel encourages the individual to discover, exercise, and rely on his or her inner resources. 5. RADICAL SELF-EXPRESSION: Amazing experiences arise from the unique gifts of the individual. No one other than the individual or a collaborating group can determine its content. It is offered as a gift to others. In this spirit, the giver should respect the rights and liberties of the recipient. 6. COMMUNAL EFFORT: Our community values creative cooperation and collaboration. We strive to produce, promote and protect social networks, public spaces, works of art, and methods of communication that support such interaction. 7. CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY: Our community values civil society. Community members who organize events should assume responsibility for public welfare and endeavor to communicate civic responsibilities to participants. They must also assume responsibility for conducting events in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. 8. LEAVING NO TRACE: Our community respects the environment. We are committed to leaving no physical trace of our activities wherever we gather. We clean up after ourselves and endeavor, whenever possible, to leave such places in a better state than when we found them. 9. PARTICIPATION: Our community is committed to a radically participatory ethic. We believe that transformative change, whether in the individual or in society, can occur only through the medium of deeply personal participation. We achieve being through doing. Everyone is invited to work. Everyone is invited to play. We make the world real through actions that open the heart. 10. IMMEDIACY: The concept of immediate experience is, in many ways, the most important touchstone of value in our culture. We seek to overcome barriers that stand between us and a recognition of our inner selves, the reality of those around us, participation in society, and contact with a natural world exceeding human powers. No idea can substitute for this experience.