the Big Om: click for more (London 12.12.12)

Barefoot Doctor: “It’s all to do with internal drug cocktails – the chase triggers adrenalin, which is highly addictive and thrilling to feel in the body, whereas the endorphins released through the contentment are not sensational enough to hold your interest for that long, hence the drive to go chasing again as soon as you’ve landed a catch.

Stimulation to compensate for no longer being hunters in the wild is the reason behind this phenomenon. Also it has something to do with what I call the T-shirt effect. If you walk into a shop and see piles of t-shirts all stacked up in all the different colourways, the combined rainbow effect makes them all look totally appealing. However if you buy one, say a red one, all you have is a red t-shirt, which is no big deal.”

To appreciate someone or something once you’ve appeared to catch them successfully, simply remember we’re all dying – that elicits compassion for both them and you – compassion for the valiantly fragile precariousness of existence – and in that comes the reminder to appreciate every split second as if it’s your last and to respect and appreciate each split second of someone or something else’s presence in your life – and to honour it as a gift.”

Questions by Skrufff.

Barefoot Doctor is putting on The Big Om, electronic dance fest and mass sound-healing at Wembley Arena, London on 12.12.12 tickets at

http://www.TheBigOm.org