In my years as a physician and integrative health expert, I’m often asked why I left medicine as society views it, as my work has expanded beyond the walls of traditional medical practice. For me, medicine has never been confined to treating symptoms or prescribing medications; rather, I view medicine as life itself — a dynamic, interconnected system where everything is part of a larger whole.
Medicine, for me, is not just a profession; it is a lens through which I understand and engage with the world. The principles that govern the human body are the same principles that govern the ecosystems of our planet, the structure of our societies, and the operations of organizations. At every scale, whether in our own physiology or in the broader universe, we see complex systems striving for balance, resilience, and healing.
Life as Medicine
What does it mean to say that life is medicine? To me, it is the recognition that every moment we are alive, we are interacting with forces that either support or challenge our well-being. From the food we eat to the air we breathe, the relationships we nurture, and the thoughts we entertain, every aspect of life is constantly shaping and reshaping our health.
In this view, medicine is not something separate from our daily existence; rather, it is woven into the very fabric of life. Just as a company functions as a living organism with interconnected departments and functions, so too does the human body operate as an ecosystem. Each organ, each cell, and each process works in harmony with others to create health and homeostasis. When one system falls out of balance, others are affected, and the body’s self-healing mechanisms are activated to restore balance.
The Body, Ecosystem, and Organization as One
In my practice, I’ve often likened the human body to an organization or a company. Just as a business relies on its various departments — finance, marketing, operations — to work in harmony, the human body relies on its different organs and systems to maintain equilibrium. Imagine the heart as the company’s leadership, the brain as its strategy team, and the immune system as the security team protecting against outside threats. Just as these roles are essential in a business, every organ and cell has a role to play in our health and well-being.
An organization, like a body, requires resilience and adaptability. When faced with challenges, it must find ways to innovate, adapt, and self-correct. In medicine, we often talk about homeostasis — the body’s ability to maintain balance in the face of changing conditions. The same is true in companies and ecosystems: resilience is essential for survival and better yet, for flourishing.
Medicine as a Mirror of the Universe
The more I practiced medicine, the more I saw its principles reflected in nature and even in the cosmos. The cycles of growth, decay, and renewal that govern our bodies are the same cycles that govern forests, rivers, and planets. We are, in a very real sense, microcosms of the universe.
The wisdom of ancient medicine, which recognized this oneness, still holds profound truths. Traditional practices like Ayurveda and Chinese medicine teach that health is not simply the absence of disease but a harmonious relationship with oneself and the world. This perspective sees no separation between body, mind, and spirit, nor between human beings and their environment.
Staying in Medicine to Heal on Every Level
My commitment to medicine is ultimately a commitment to helping others heal, not just physically but on every level of their being. As we face unprecedented challenges — global health crises, environmental degradation, social fragmentation — I believe medicine’s role is to remind us of our inherent interconnectedness. When we understand that the health of one affects the health of all, we begin to take responsibility not only for our own well-being but for the well-being of the world.
