Paper short abstract:

The paper is on how a part of Icelandic doctors and nurses are widening their views on health, the person and the world by incorporating holistic ideas (like meditation, CAM therapies, reincarnation beliefs, mind and body connections) into their ideology regarding health and the human being.

Paper long abstract:

Prince and Riches (1999) describe the ideology of the New Age Movement (NAM) as a kind of self-spirituality where the goal is to liberate a transformative healing power that lies within the individual. Ryan (2002) argues that the world-views of NAM and complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) are a revolt against the dominant analytical mind-set of Western science and what Heelas (1996) describes as "problems of modernity". When conventional ideas and remedies have failed NAM and CAM provide new answers and fresh approaches.

The paper is based on an ongoing study among doctors and nurses in Iceland who are influenced by holistic ideas regarding health closely connected to the ideology behind NAM, CAM and various spiritual teachings. This includes a break from the dualistic view of mind and body as disconnected parts in favor of a perspective where physical, mental, social and spiritual factors form a holistic view of the mind and the body in relation to health. The methodology of the study includes semi-structured interviews and participant observations among a group of doctors and nurses in Iceland.

The doctors and nurses are opening up to holistic and alternative ways of healing and viewing the human being and the world. They are reconsidering their ideas about the mind and body connection, CAM therapies, the effect of meditation and positive thinking, the effect of trauma on a persons health (from this life or a previous one) and adding them to their personal worldview as well as their professional toolbox.