FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (see answers below)

1. What is all this about?
2. Is that all you do in life, give Hugs!?
3. Why do you give hugs?
4. You are not the only one giving Free Hugs?
5. Were you inspired by the international “Free Hugs” movement?
6. What is your real job?
7. If it is free why do you have a donation tin at you feet?
8. Are you part of an organization, cult or religious group?
9. Between hugs you stand perfectly still with your arms open wide, why?
10. What de you think about when you are still?
11. Some believe that you have a gift of healing with your hugs. Is it true?
12. Where do you give hugs?
13. What is your religion?
14. Where are you from?
15. Can I hug people with you?
    
    
    ANSWERS

1. What is all this about?
   In 2004, moved by a profound desire to live in a more peaceful and loving world I decided to take Gandhi’s words to heart and become the change that I wanted to see in the world. So I created a cheerful and endearing alter ego called “the Hugger Busker”, who offers heartfelt hugs, comfort and tenderness to all those who desire it. My offer is unconditional. My adventure as a provider of genuine affection and loving-kindness has evolved into a deeply personal and spiritually transformative journey. I have to date shared well over 100,000 hugs with strangers from around the world.



2. Is that all you do in life give Hugs!?
   It is a lot of what I do but not all. I am an award winning author, an inspirational speaker, a spiritual healer, and I guide workshops and meditation. Practicing and guiding others in the art of hugging life and living kindness has over the past several years become my calling in life.
   
   As a performer it is not only my goal but also my obligation to also to touch people’s, minds, hearts and may be even their inner being in a uplifting way. To see everyone leave my arms with a smile, probably a laugh and possibly a warm feeling in their heart is incredibly rewarding for me. I strive to be a catalyst for reflection, awareness, action and change .



3. Why do you give hugs?
   Giving hugs it is always fulfilling and continues to bring joy, serenity and contentment into my life. To see how a simple act of caring can have such a life affirming and healing effect on myself and others is incredibly rewarding. Hugging is teaching me how to love and appreciate myself and be generous and kind, it is what I am here to learn. I am having a lot of fun being the Hugger Busker. That is primordial otherwise I would not do it.



4. You are not the only one giving Free Hugs?
   Since I began giving Free Hugs in 2004 I’ve discovered that I was not the only one out there giving hugging strangers. Amma, the Indian saint who has given millions of hugs over the past 30 years, Leo Bascaglia, the UCLA professor who always ended his talks with hugs, Jayson Littman, the New York stock broker who since 2001 has been giving “Free Hugs” in Washington Sq. Park, Juan Mann, an Australian coffee shop waiter who’s weekly wanderings with a Free Hugs sign made him a youtube darling, the Goa brothers from China who create photo art out of hugging and the California judge who called himself the “hugging judge” , the hugging grannies of China and so many others who have found joy opening their arms and hearts to brighten the lives of all who pass their way. If this generous act of kindness can instil more peace and love in this dysfunctional, harried, and chaotic world then all the better.



5. Were you inspired by the international “Free Hugs” movement?
   I am a Free Hugs pioneer; one of the first to offer hugs to strangers in public places and by doing so raise public awareness of the importance of hugging and loving touch. The idea to give Free Hugs came to me quite spontaneously and unexpectedly while I was performing in a public square in June 2004. For me it was a moment of Divine inspiration for it has transformed my life in the most unexpected and delightful ways. Since I began this full time endeavor I have hugged over 100,000 people from around the world and there must be quite a few images and videos of me floating around the internet so I was not surprised to find out that over the next few years others began offering free hugs in their own communities. In 2006 a music video from the band Sick Puppies appeared on youtube.com featuring an Australian man walking around a shopping mall with a sign advertising Free Hugs. This moving video captured the interest of youth world wide popularizing an already growing trend. On street corners around the world people with Free Hug signs began popping up with regularity. Very much like the youths of the 60’s who flocked to the concept of Free Love the youth of the new millennium flocked to Free Hugs. Unfortunately this movement did not have the lasting impact of the Love & Peace movement and was short lived. But it made enough of an impact that media savvy ad execs quickly began to milk the commercial potential of this social phenomenon. Still, it awakened many to the power of giving from the heart. The swift rise of this movement brought to light the growing need for human contact and tenderness in our isolationist societies. It was a wake up call that is still not being heeded by most.
   
   What is interesting to note is that the man in this video and I did not know each other and yet we were both doing the same thing at opposite ends of the earth. There is no original idea or originator of a concept as ideas and concepts arise in human consciousness and simple glide back into unconsciousness if not acted upon, only to resurface again at another time. Both of us chose to act upon the inspiration that arose in our hearts allowing our bold and heartfelt actions to inspire and enlighten others. How beautiful it all is!



6. What is your real job?
   Acting is my profession, hugging is my inspiration, inspirational speaking is my pleasure, writing is my passion and spiritual healing is my calling.Since I began hugging, acting has taken a backseat while the healing nature of my work has evolved to the point where it has become my full time passion.
   
   With the release of my award winning book Hugging Life: A practical guide to hugging, I am called to travel frequently to share my expertise on the power of touch and authentic communication, and my vision of Love as a path towards joyful living. I am invited to schools, colleges, senior’s residences, hospices, hospitals, book stores, fundraisers, festivals, corporate and charity events to give talks, lead workshops and of course to give hugs. My job is to allow joy, comfort and love to inspire all those who care enough about themselves to receive it.



7. If it is free why do you have a donation tin when hugging in public places?
   Even if there is at my feet a small discrete donation tin, the hugs that I offer are absolutely free, unconditional. I ask for nothing and expect nothing from anyone, not even a hug in return. So why the tin?, to allow people to express their gratitude and their generosity. If I did not have a donation tin people would put money in my hand, my pockets, at my feet, on my suitcases anyway and they still do. I am honoured and grateful for the many gifts and tokens of appreciation that people bring me—money, flowers, candy, refreshments, poems, drawings, healing talismans and good-luck charms.

   The concept of Danna is foreign in the west but it is a common practice in Meditation halls, Buddhist temples, Ashrams and other place s where spiritual/transformative teachings are offered by a master/guru/monk/etc.. A bowl is left at the exit of the hall and anyone who wishes to leave a donation for the lecture or teaching on the way out does so. Well my money tin is my Dana bowl because what I am teaching through my actions is the sharing of love and human kindness. It is a priceless gift indeed.
   

8. Are you part of an organization, cult or religious group?
   No I am an independent artist. This is performance art for the heart. The Hugger Busker concept and everything related to it web site, blog, promotional video, book, conferences, workshops, hug, cuddle and storytelling evening, etc… was developed and created by me alone.
   
   Even if my approach and teachings carry a deeply spiritual message I refuse to be taken down the Guru/disciple path as I firmly believe that I am not here to teach others but rather to teach myself through others. If others find inspiration through my example to lead happier more fulfilled lives then my life was worth living. I don not promote any religious dogmas or philosophical dictates. In fact much the opposite I simply invite others to reflect on their own capacity to love and their willingness to share their love with others.



9. How can you keep from blinking for so long?
   When I was in high school we used to have blinking contests and I learnt to keep from blinking for long periods of time. I usually won these silly ‘stare downs’ as we would call them. .



10. Between hugs you stand perfectly still with your arms open wide, why?
    

    Stillness attracts the eye of the passer by all the while permitting me to nurture the inner silence that helps me connect with the source of Divine Love within me. It is in this state of stillness that the healing energy of Love can flow. It is this energy that gives substance and power to my hugs.My open arms are simply an open invitation for someone to come for a hug.
    

11. What de you think about when you are still?
    I practice mindfulness and Metta (loving kindness meditation). I always begin my day with a prayer of gratitude and then begin Metta or with the inner smile meditation to open my heart. Once the stillness and silence settle with in me I become very contemplative and peaceful. I can then remain aware of my internal universe while being entirely aware of my outer world. There are times when I experience such states of surrender and bliss that wish I could remain in that state forever. Maybe one day I will .



12. Some believe that you have a gift, that your hugs are healing hugs. Is it true?
    If making people feel better through the transmission of loving energy is a gift then yes, I have a gift. There is a potent healing force that flows with in and through me when I hug or lay my hands on someone, yet sometimes when I am very tired or caught up in my ego the flow loses it’s potency. Many people who have shared hugs with me have expressed deep feelings of contentment, peace, joy, love and even at times rapture. Each person receives from me only what they are prepared to receive. Some awaken to a new perception of life while others experience nothing more then a hug and that is ok.
    
    I truly believe that we all have the ability to awaken the healing power of Universal Love with in us and bring comfort to others. When we surrender to the Divine will of God and let the Universal intelligence of life work through us all is possible. Beneath our human carcass we are beings of Light and Love.



13. Will you give hugs else where in the world?
    I am called to travel more and more often. I have just finished a speaking and workshop tour of the province of Quebec. For the past year I have had an urge to follow my heart on a spiritual quest, a pilgrimage of Love, faith and gratitude along the path to … I will go where providence guides me for it is there that I will be needed. Life has always thrown me curve balls when ever I tried to plan to far ahead so now I just go with the flow. Since then the flow has never lead me astray .



14. What is your religion?
    If labels are important to you can call me a Humanist, or a Christian, or a Buddhist or even a Sufi. I care deeply about our human condition. With Christ in my heart I learn forgiveness and unconditional love, with Buddha as a guide I learn self awareness, compassion and surrender, and the Sufis teach me to celebrate the Divine nature life .



15. Where are you from?
    Some say that I come form another place, another world even. Personally I prefer to say that I was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec. Though I have lived and worked in Toronto, Bangkok, Paris and London for over a decade. I returned to Montreal in 1993 where I live with my partner Jade and our two cats in a beautiful artist’s loft near the Old Port.



16. Can I hug people with you?
    Certainly, but hugging strangers in public is not just walking around with a free hugs sign. To touch people in a profound way it is important to invest in the quality of each hug that you share as opposed to trying to get as many hugs under your belt as possible. Practicing the 5 principles of hugging, which you will find in my book Hugging Life is a good starting point. Hug with respect, hug without condition, hug with heart, hug the moment, and hug with gratitude. Now it is up to you to develop your own style at a time and a place that is suited to you personality.You don’t need me to give hugs. Begin with those you care about, then with acquaintances, and if you dare to care then go to convalescent homes and hospices or any place where tenderness, comfort and love are in need. That is where the beauty of your hugs will shine brightest.