The Barefoot Doctor

Interview by Nicola Warwick

NW: Can you tell us what would be a typical day for you?

BD: There is no typical day because I'm doing many projects. Every day starts with a couple of hours of training (T'ai Chi, Hsing I, Pa-Kua, meditation, Yoga and voice training), but after that it could be doing TV, doing e-mail (I get 300 a day), writing a piece, writing a book, recording in the studio (music), visiting the perfumer, promoting products in stores(perfume/books/music), doing talks, doing corporate training, doing radio, having meetings, healing a few people, that kind of thing. Most of the time, these days, I'm on the road.

NW: You've travelled widely since you were in your early twenties.  What set you off on the path that you've been following?  And did you find what you were looking for during those travels?

BD: What set me off was hearing 'om' when I was six.  Then starting aikido when I was 11 with a Japanese guy who was a healer as well and he taught me about channeling 'ki'.  Then studying psychotherapy with RD Laing in the mid 70s, then going to live with the 'Indians' in Taos, New Mexico where I studied shamanism and also met a Chinese master of medicine and studied Chinese medicine. I'd already found it before travelling but travelling made it come more real for me.

NW: Was there a particular point when you decided to be a Barefoot Doctor?

BD: No, it just happened gradually from following my fascination for learning about consciousness and energy.

NW: How did you build up your practice?

BD: Just by doing it and people came.  If what you offer is valid, people will find you and if you're any good, word spreads fast.

NW: Since you first started writing, do you find it gets easier? Has your style changed over time?  Do you enjoy writing?

BD: I love it.  My style develops of itself and yes, it gets easier as you go along, but it's not without its challenges.  My style originated in songwriting and poetry.

NW: When did you first become involved as a columnist for The Observer?

BD: Two years ago.

NW: Is it easy to come up with ideas on a weekly basis and how do you decide what to write about?

BD: Yes--whatever I'm thinking about at the time.

NW: Do you write a column a week or do you write a batch of columns in advance?

BD: Usually one a week but if I have to go off to write a book I try and do a few in advance.

NW: Why The Observer in particular?

BD: My favourite paper--always has been--best journalism.

NW: Do you write everything on your Psion?

BD: These days it's an HP Journada but I also do a fair bit on the desktop.

NW: How easy was it to get a publisher for your books?

BD: Because of my column in Spirit magazine which was very popular and all the media was watching it progress.

NW: How did it come about?

BD: I wrote the book and gave a friend 10% to find out which publishers were after me and picked the one that would play the game my way most.  Now I'm with Harper Collins which is much better.

NW: Do you have an agent?

BD: Yes.

NW: How long does it take to write a book?

BD: Usually two weeks writing up to 10,000 words a day.

NW: Do you plan what will appear in the book or does it come together as you start writing?

BD: I plan and it evolves as I go.

NW: Do you read a lot?

BD: No--don't have time.

NW: What sort of books do you have on your shelves?

BD: All kinds: stuff about fragrance, stuff about chairman Mao, Einstein, Hollywood, TV in the USA, philosophy stuff, all kinds of diverse nonsense really.

NW: Do you have any other books or writing projects planned?

BD: Always.  "Liberation" will be out Autumn 2002, there's a novel in need of a final rewrite, a second novel a third of the way through its first draft, a book of twisted fables for twisted minds awaiting publication, "No shoes, no shirt, no service: the official autobiography," etc., etc..

NW: You've presented features on BBC's Heaven and Earth and done other television work--how did that start?

BD: BBC came to a gig I was doing and offered me a series which is now on UK Style ("The Barefoot Doctor"), then "Heaven and Earth" came to me, and "The Big Breakfast" came to me.  One day I just looked at Sky and said I'm ready for TV, and it just started after that.

NW: It must differ quite a lot to be a columnist and do radio work.  You seem like a natural. Do you enjoy presenting and television work?

BD: I love it--it's just being myself and that's easy.  The microphone or camera is just an extension of me.  As a musician I've done so much public performance that after that radio and TV is quite natural.

NW: I listen to Johnnie Walker on BBC's Radio 2 every night as I drive home and have heard you speaking on different topics.  When were you first asked to do the slots on Johnnie Walker's show?

BD: A year ago.

NW: What sort of preparation do you do for Johnnie Walker's, Heaven and Earth?

BD: None other than my voice exercises in the morning.  For the Heaven and Earth show, I have to pick some stories from the papers first.

NW: What's your favourite medium for communicating with people?

BD: Music.

NW: Does media activity provide less time for healing or is it all part and parcel of your work?

BD: I'm always healing but gave my actual practice away a year ago to concentrate on the media.  But I heal people wherever I go, just don't charge for it anymore.

NW: What inspires you?

BD: Everything.  Human courage, breathing, doing T'ai Chi, great artists in all fields, displays of confidence.

NW: What keeps you doing what you do?

BD: It's an addiction on one hand and a beast with its own momentum on the other--I love it all so much--it's the best adventure I could ever imagine.  The challenges presented every day are like extreme sport for me, and it's better than working in an office--but overall, the chance to serve humanity (however humbly) and to contribute something that can change the culture for the better, is too seductive to consider not doing even when my head's spinning from it.

NW: What advice would you give to someone wanting to get started on a similar path to yours or wanting to bring more spirituality into their lives?

BD: Dedicate three years to your own spiritual development first--do it for your own healing and then let that spill out into healing others.  Train in something solid that can help others (healing, teaching or whatever).  Give up all ideas of being rich, famous, or successful and focus only on following your fascination.

NW: Can anyone develop the ability to heal?

BD: Yes.

NW: What do you see as your mission in life?

BD: To spread as much utilisable joy to as many people as possible and induce at least 3 degrees more relaxation globally.

NW: Do you think there is a need for barefoot doctors in today's society?

BD: There's always a need for people with healing energy and intent who care about others.

NW: What message do you have for readers for 2002?

BD: Relax, let go and allow.  Relax your body and mind all the time whatever you're doing.  Let go of the need to control things--allow the drama to unfold as it will and remember to let yourself enjoy it.  Push the boat out a bit--take more risks--challenge yourself by accomplishing one thing (at least) you previously believed beyond your capacity (in whatever fields you like) and above all, practice being both more generous and more receptive with anyone and everyone--channel more love in other words.

Relevant Links:

• The author's Web site.
• Johnnie Walker BBC Radio 2.
• "Escape artistry" Guardian Unlimited Observer article.
• "Mystic masseur" Guardian Unlimited Observer article.
• "Best of both worlds" Guardian Unlimited Observer article.
• Heaven and Earth show.
• Sky TV

Books and Videos:

•  Books and videos Author's Web site.
Barefoot Doctor's Guide to the Tao: A Spiritual Handbook for Urban Warriors
 Amazon.com (U.S.)

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