My name is Brian, I'm 28 years old, a single gay male, and I reside in Desert Hot Springs, CA. I've been a practicing Buddhist since the age of 20. I was inspired by the Tibetan Freedom Concerts and the stories that came out from Tibetan monks such as Palden Gyatso and His Holiness The Dalai Lama in regard to their Buddhist path and the struggle with the Chinese. I discovered the writings of Thich Nhat Hanh a little while later. I've practiced Tibetan and Theravadan Buddhism, but have found my path with Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings and the Order of Interbeing. I've struggled with all kinds of issues in my life. I've dealt with abandonment from both of my parents, depression, and anxiety issues. All of them are my fuel for the path and I use these issues to promote kindness and compassion within myself.