Services in Functional Medicine, Homeopathy, Gentle Chiropractic & Energy Medicine
My Philosphy
Recognizing that physical symptoms often arise from a complex interaction of structural, biochemical, and emotional factors, I believe that by working with the whole person—not just the condition—we can create an individualized pathway toward long-term healing and resilience.
Saying YES... Mental / Emotional / Spiritual Aspects of Health
Saying “Yes” to life is a way of being that best supports a full, vibrant, satisfying, and healthy life. Saying “yes” is an expression of acceptance—an openness to the circumstances of our lives and to what is occurring in each moment.
Saying “yes” is not always easy. I know this well. Throughout my life I have often found ways to say “no” to what is—whether it be my best friend’s terminal illness, the U.S. invasion of this or that country, my father’s sudden death, my daughter’s severe illness, or my own or someone else’s history. From the “big” things to the smallest, the mind easily reacts with thoughts like: “That’s not right,” “That’s not good enough,” “That is unjust,” “This could or should be better,” or “I wish this were otherwise.” The mind goes on and on, creating commentary about what is happening.
When we are totally present with what is, we find wisdom within as to how we might be involved in making a difference.
The Interconnected Nature of Life
In reality, life unfolds through a vast web of causes and conditions, many far beyond our control. We rarely know exactly why anything is the way it is, except that everything affects everything else. The originator of the “butterfly effect,” MIT meteorology professor Edward Lorenz, observed that the innumerable interconnections of nature mean that a butterfly flapping its wings could cause a tornado—or, for all we know, prevent one. Even the smallest change can lead to consequences so complex that we can never fully know what might have happened otherwise.
At any moment, an infinite number of events have come together to create our present circumstances. Whether we like those circumstances or not depends largely on our mental state—but it is often the liking or not liking that creates mental suffering.
The Power of Presence
When we accept what is and simply become present with it—without immediately judging it as “good” or “bad”—we can discover a deep sense of peace and even joy in simply being alive. By going beyond the constant mental commentary, we reconnect with the direct experience of life itself.
Even when life feels painful or difficult, being present allows us to experience our deeper sense of being and our connection with life. By allowing whatever arises to move through us, we experience life fully—even when that includes pain.
The key is letting go of judgment and observing the moment-to-moment experience of body and mind. If there is pain, we can notice how the experience of pain continuously changes. If there is sorrow, we can be present with the sorrow. The moment we resist what is happening or criticize ourselves or the situation, we create additional suffering.
Causes, Conditions, and the Possibility of Change
Why illness? Why poverty? Why war?
All of these arise from countless causes and conditions. Can we stop them, or at least make a difference? Absolutely. Each of us is part of the causes and conditions shaping the future.
In terms of health, understanding which causes of illness we can address helps move us toward greater wholeness and well-being. When we are truly present with what is, wisdom can arise about how we might contribute to positive change. We can bring our best efforts toward creating meaningful and lasting improvements.
Yet if things do not unfold exactly as we hoped, we can know that we did what we could and return again to the present moment—the only place where change can occur. The past and future largely exist in our imagination. When we struggle with life in the present moment, we simply create more suffering.
Accepting Illness and Working With the Vital Force
If we are ill and wish to return to balance, we must first accept our current condition. From that place of acceptance, we can begin to understand and address the factors that have contributed to this moment. In a sense, we must even say “yes” to the disease state so that we can learn from it—so we can hear what our being is communicating and work with our vital force to restore the most vibrant level of health possible.
Unless we have reached the natural end of our physical life, our vital force continually seeks to establish dynamic equilibrium and vibrant health at every level—from the deepest mental and emotional dimensions to the physical body. When blockages occur, the role of the homeopath and naturopath is, as much as possible, to identify and remove those obstacles to healing.
To do this, we work with the expressions of the vital force itself, bringing all of our insight and therapeutic tools to support the body’s innate capacity for healing.
Addressing Root Causes and Restoring Balance
Saying “yes” to each moment of life—even when it is painful—can move us closer to health. But how do we say “yes” to diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders, mental health conditions, or cardiovascular disease? How do we say “yes” to war, famine, or poverty?
We say “yes” in the sense that we acknowledge the reality of the present situation and recognize that it has arisen through a series of causes and conditions, some of which we may never fully understand. From that place of acceptance, we listen deeply to what our being is communicating and address as many root causes as possible.
By working with the body’s life force and considering all aspects of ourselves—including our environment—we can identify the fundamental factors that restore balance. In this way, by acknowledging what is and addressing its root causes, we support the process of healing and the possibility of creating the life and health we seek.
