I recently embarked on a journey to Italy, a decision made on a whim at the end of 2023—something I tend to do. As the trip approached, I found myself questioning the timing and whether it truly aligned with my guiding principles. However, the experience turned out to be everything I had imagined and more. It served as a beautiful reminder that I can fully embrace who I am, take up space, and acknowledge that while my knowledge is vast and I am considered an expert in certain areas (though I hesitate to call myself that), there is always more to learn. This is one of the beauties of life.
Being surrounded by practitioners from all over the world allowed me to honor the complex and beautiful thoughts and experiences we each bring to our practices. I often ask myself, “Do we celebrate these differences, or do we see them as a problem?” For those who have worked with me, you know that I always celebrate the differences. In my practice of Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM), I pull knowledge from various lineages, believing that tradition is living, not stuck in the past. This approach allows me to best serve my community.
Years ago, when I was a brand-new TEAM student, I attended a lecture by a teacher who validated my belief that this way of thinking—drawing from diverse traditions—makes sense. This is why I jumped on three flights, rented a car, and found myself in Italy in the middle of August, sweating out my self-doubt in 100-degree weather. The experience re-inspired my practice and my knowledge.
I am now thrilled to begin a three-year Meta practice training, a journey that will refine, develop, and transcend our classical training while adapting to modern-day needs. As I embark on this path, I ask myself, “How can we use these different lenses to address the challenges of this particular moment in time?”
This experience feels like a recommitment to myself, my profession, my lifelong learning, my practice, and my patients. The trip was a powerful reminder that the journey of growth and learning never ends, and I am excited to continue this journey with renewed passion and purpose.
Reflect, Reconnect, and Recommit