These stories illustrate that Modern Western Medicine has lost its way and with it the seeds to its renewal in so many ways. Authentic medicine requires reconnection to traditional sources and input from other disciplines and cultures. In modernity, it demands what is referred to as a 'paradigm shift' in thinking and direction that may involve relative turbulence in that process. It further demands we all take primary responsibility and control in matters of health: Our stories help illustrate this, and assist our empowerment in any healing process.
Kennan is not claiming simplistic solutions to the dilemmas and crises facing modern medicine. All factors - physical, psychological and spiritual - are integral to healing as wholeness and not directed to mere symptomatic relief.
What makes Kennan's orientation different is that he has chosen to continue his explorations in the field of health and healing outside of the institutional mainstream. With no active affiliations with or commitments in his former profession, he believes he is in a clearer position for critical comment. One creative way of undertaking this is to use the personal story, or narrative, directly and unashamedly.
Ian and Kennan were drawn together for this project, and beyond. Ian's academic and intellectual input had been the foil that Kennan needed to broaden his views and thinking.
For differing reasons, both were drawn to this writing project. Although not intentionally an educational work, it does expose Ian's great gift as a teacher: To make people think for themselves. In medicine, this has become critical for the patient as much as any doctor.
