The Barefoot Doctor

By Nicola Warwick

We gravitate toward mavericks because we aspire to be like them in some way. We, too, want to be extraordinary.

There's something very attractive about a person who appears to have a route map through life, a clear direction and focus. Someone who has chosen to walk that road less travelled.

It's a glowing picture. But a maverick would probably be the first to admit to their own failings. Perhaps that's why we like them so much. In spite of their personal flaws they still achieve greatness. They are able to carry on regardless and in spite of their detractors; mavericks always have their critics.

To be a maverick you need a clear mission in life, a personal compass that guides you. Missions aren't easy to come by; that's why so many of us experience the feeling that we're adrift. I think you could safely say that the Barefoot Doctor knows what his mission in life is.

The Barefoot Doctor combines maverick tendencies with a glow of spirituality, an aura that fills a room the minute he enters. A calmness, a completeness and self-knowledge that we find so desirable.

The tradition of the Barefoot Doctor goes back to ancient times and continued until the 1949 communist revolution in China.  In those days a Barefoot Doctor was known as a healer.  He was well versed in Taoism, gifted with healing energy, knowledgeable about acupuncture, herbs, joint manipulation, simple psychotherapy, hypnotherapy and martial arts.  As well as healing he was also something of a travelling entertainer, singing or story telling.  Barefoot Doctors travelled around China keeping the people in good health and good spirits.  And they went barefoot.

This Barefoot Doctor's vocation began over 20 years ago, developing over the years as he learned a wide range of skills and acquired knowledge about various healing practices.  During the 70s the Barefoot Doctor studied under psychiatrist RD Laing.  Later he was to travel to New Mexico where he taught T'ai Chi and apprenticed himself to a Chinese doctor with whom he studied Taoist healing.  In his quest for knowledge Barefoot has also travelled to India and Thailand to learn about other esoteric forms of healing.  After travelling for some time he returned to London where he started his healing practice.

Now the Barefoot Doctor is a household name, here in the UK, featuring on various television and radio programmes and writing for a national newspaper. He has also just launched a range of bath products, another tool in his mission to reach as many people as he can.

Television includes Heaven and Earth, a Sunday morning programme delving into 21st century spiritual issues. Last year Barefoot spent the summer touring seaside resorts doing on-the-spot healing and spreading sunshine in his wake.

He also appears on Johnnie Walker's BBC Radio 2 drive-time programme talking about a wide range of topics and sometimes takes calls from listeners.

Barefoot is great to listen to: his is one of those very soothing, mellifluous voices.

He also dispenses help and advice in his weekend column at The Observer. Readers e-mail Barefoot (at a rate of 300 e-mails a day) and a number of the e-mails feature in the column.

Last year the Barefoot Doctor came to Manchester to launch his latest book, The Return of the Urban Warrior. He's been described as a hip holistic healer and that sobriquet fits. He's funky, funny, a great speaker and entertainer and a passionate healer. His writing style is irreverent and off the wall. And, of course, wherever he goes, he goes barefoot.

His mission is to bring healing and happiness to as wide an audience as possible and to contribute to making the world a better place. Given his current track record he's well on the way. The books, the Web site, the television and personal appearances all focus on the same goal  spreading the Barefoot Doctor's practical spiritual advice and healing. Wherever you are in the world, you can benefit from the good vibes of this fascinating man.

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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