I have always looked up to doctors. That admiration started early with my grandfather. He was a professor and virologist in Leiden, but to me, he was primarily my hero—the man who tirelessly read books with me and took me into his darkroom to develop photographs. He was the one who sparked my curiosity for both the tangible world of chemistry and the wonders of nature.
Today, I walk a different path. A path of Do-In, shamanism, and holistic consultations. It is a path that runs parallel to modern medicine, but sometimes, the two worlds collide. I was once called a "quack" by a friend’s father simply for mentioning the scientific evidence behind the health benefits of meditation. Conversely, in the complementary world, I sometimes hear harsh, unnecessary criticism of Western medicine, as if "conventional" and "holistic" are inherent enemies.
Last week, the bridge between these two worlds brought me something truly special. On a whim, I signed up for a training course that—as it turned out—was actually intended for medical doctors. For three days, I lived deep in nature with a group of fifteen GPs, internists, and geriatricians.
While we were being updated on the hard science behind nature—how regular time spent in the forest significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health issues—beautiful heart-to-heart conversations began to unfold.
I heard their struggles with the ticking of the clock. These are passionate people who must understand a complaint, establish a connection, and prescribe the right intervention, all within a fifteen-minute consultation. The pressure is immense.
At the same time, there was a genuine curiosity toward my world. We spoke about the Taoist and shamanic perspectives on life. We talked about the essential difference between "hearing" and "truly listening." We felt how the trees, much like ourselves, radiate an energy field. Together, we learned how to blend into the forest so completely that even the hares no longer saw us as intruders, hopping peacefully right past us.
The most moving moment? Making fire together using handmade bow drills. That word—together—touched me deeply.
I saw doctors who truly want to explain to their patients how healing nature can be, but who simply lack the time in their exam rooms to do so. And that is where the opportunity lies. It is time to build bridges. Instead of distrusting each other’s methods because we don’t fully understand them, can we look at the results? Can we admire each other's dedication?
Western medicine saves lives; the complementary path can deepen, soften, and preventively support those lives. How beautiful would it be if we met more often? Not to debate, but to connect. Perhaps in the forest, where the birds grow still as dusk falls and we are all, quite simply, human.