So... What's Your Story?

We just sent out the publicity for an upcoming talk at the Serai Social Club in Vancouver. Serai is taken from Turkish, and it originally referred to a meeting place for caravans, allowing different travelers to meet on their respective paths. When the manager inquired about a possible topic for the evening in February, we decided to first speak with the owners and learn more about the organization. Radha, unfortunately, was busy packing up the house for our impending return to Florida so I invited our friend and collaborator Greg to join me.

we'll be home to Vancouver in less than 6 weeks...

The Serai Social Club began as the Campoverde Social Club, founded by Rachel Greenfeld and was recently purchased and renovated by two lovely people, Cybil and Michael. They had been members of the club in its original conversation, and we all enjoyed a lively conversation while sitting on the club's cozy, comfortable couches.



It was then that I realized how fortunate it was to have this social club in our neighborhood. Kitslano is a fabulous area of Vancouver, and the friendly people that walk these streets are one of the reasons Radha and I decided to relocate from South Florida. This sense of community was only reinforced when Cybil and Michael told us about the club's sole requirement for membership - to reach out and connect with everyone.

To me, it sounds like the perfect reason to go out at night. Rather than sitting alone in a crowded bar or restaurant, at this place you could enjoy talking to the people around you. A ready-made community of friendly individuals who were interested in being a part of your world, talking, laughing, and sharing stories.

Michael told me how he had been traveling in London, and after a disappointing experience at a local pub he discovered one of the many social clubs that are spread out all over London. His love of conversation and listening to others share their life so enthusiastically led to his joining Compoverde upon his return a few months later. Not long after, he and Cybil decided to purchase the club.

As the four of us talked together, I became excited that Radha and I would have the opportunity to meet the other members of this great establishment. After all ,we have spent our life enjoying hanging out with people who love people. I told her about my experience when I got home that evening, and we immediately began brainstorming what we might share with the club's members.

A week later, it came to us like a bolt of lightning. The techniques and tools we share with others are drawn from our own experience, and - as anyone who has ever joined us for satsang can attest - storytelling is a large part of our teaching method. Realizing that the social club provides a place where people gather to share food, wine and conversations about their lives, we decided to share some of the stories from our life. After thirty-plus years of marriage, seventeen (soon to be 18!) pilgrimages to India, and two trips around the world, we have plenty of them.

Radha riding a camel in Jaipur, India

So, we'd like to know.... What’s your story?