Interview with Thomas Lambert Schöberl: “There is a green soul in each of us”

"Mother Nature reminds us that everything is connected to everything and everyone is connected to everyone else; she makes us more resonant, more empathetic and opens up ancient, intuitive wisdom and ways of healing. As a naturopath, I bring people and nature back into harmony. Following the call of the living and opening up safe spaces for my patients in which they can find security and new inspiration has become the most beautiful task within my calling." Thomas Lambert Schöberl , author of the book " Green Souls ", would like to encourage everyone to discover their green soul and the richness of a holistic worldview and a sustainable way of life.

In your first work, “Green Souls,” you weave your own story with a rediscovery of natural knowledge and a holistic worldview. Which readers do you want to reach with this?

Thomas Lambert Schöberl: "Green Souls" tells of the experiences of being human - of loving and hoping, of doubting and believing, of the search for meaning and belonging. Nature reminds us that everything is connected to everything and everyone is connected to everyone else. We should all internalize this message and learn to live actively, because then an ancient, intuitive wisdom will open up to us that can also open up paths to healing. Yes, I believe that a green, creative soul lives in each of us, and I would like to encourage everyone to rediscover this primal power, this natural, primal trust.

You don't become a naturopath to gain wealth, prestige, power or influence, but rather you follow an individual calling that often arises from overcoming a life crisis. What set you on your path?

Schöberl: I am convinced that an intensive encounter with Mother Nature changes us as people, makes us more resonant and empathetic. Being able to empathize without judging opens up sovereignty in body, mind and soul, which allows us to stand up for the well-being of creation and society. For me, vocation means devotion. It demands that we do what we do fully. As a naturopath, I bring people and nature back into harmony. As we know, nature begins in our own four walls, with the clothes we wear and the food we eat. Personally, daily time in nature, traditional naturopathy, strengthening my faith and turning to a holistic, hopeful worldview have not only helped me to overcome my own serious autoimmune disease, but have also enriched my life with more depth. Following the call of the living and opening up safe spaces for people in which they can find security and new inspiration has become the most beautiful task within my vocation. Such a conviction always comes from the heart and is based on lived experience.

“Green Souls” is also available as an audio book, which you have set to music yourself using your own melodies, songs and poems. You are a qualified music and art teacher, and you also run your own naturopathic practice in Munich. What are your thematic focuses and what is special about your individual approach?

Schöberl: In my opinion, sustainable recovery always takes place holistically. We therapists should do everything we can to activate all of our patients' resources. In order to promote hope, self-confidence and motivation, more than just loving words, medical advice or a prescription is needed - no, it also requires spaces for real, non-judgmental and trusting experiences and encounters. For many people, nature, art, music, faith or spirituality can open up access to these healing spaces. In addition to examining blood under the dark field microscope and herbal and nutritional medicine, my practice focuses on the holistic, creative and spiritual consideration of the context of my patients' illness.

On November 30, 2019, the Federal Ministry of Health published a legal opinion on the law governing alternative medicine practitioners, which may have significant implications for the profession of alternative medicine practitioners. What is the current status and how do you assess the current debate?

Schöberl: For many centuries, naturopaths have been criticized or even persecuted, and yet they can claim to be a firmly established part of the medical care of our society. This speaks for the effectiveness of their work! We live in very fast times, characterized by exponential scientific and technical advances. The profession of naturopath is also subject to this change and, despite its universal appeal to the original principles of life and nature, should always critically question itself in order to find contemporary answers to people's questions. I believe that in the context of the existential debates of our time - reforms in the health system, nature and climate protection, social justice, sustainability and biodiversity, world nutrition, growth, corona and the high number of pre-existing sections of the population, etc. - new opportunities and areas of activity are opening up for naturopaths, be it as interdisciplinary mediators in the health system, as an opposition camp in the political process or as exemplary drivers of a more sustainable way of life in view of the dwindling resources of our planet.

There are around 47,000 alternative practitioners in Germany, and hundreds of thousands of patients rely on their treatment – ​​especially for chronic illnesses. What significance do alternative practitioners have in our so-called health system?

Schöberl: Alternative practitioners are the right place to go, especially when it is not a matter of acute complaints, but when the patient's recovery requires a permanent change in lifestyle. In this case, it is important that chronically ill people develop a new connection to themselves, i.e. to their body, mind and soul, to their environment and, of course, to nature, in addition to conventional medical and psychotherapeutic care. In addition, alternative practitioners promote their patients' self-efficacy and self-healing powers, and are efficient and cost-effective. They relieve the burden on our already overwhelmed health system and constantly remind people of often forgotten but highly effective and natural therapeutic approaches such as fasting, meditation, bloodletting or nutritional and herbal medicine.

You see the connection to nature as the pivotal point of your work, although you do not recommend a "back to nature" but rather a "with nature" approach. What does that mean and how does this focus affect your work?

Schöberl: I am a great friend of science and fascinated by man's insatiable thirst for research. At the same time, I think that scientific and spiritual/theological worldviews do not have to contradict each other categorically, but rather are mutually dependent and supportive. It would be blind to history to believe that we humans will find the answer to our individual and global challenges exclusively in past life plans. This may make sense for individuals, but I think that such a worldview quickly runs the risk of turning away from the world and believing in conspiracy theories - it makes us passive. The phrase "with nature", on the other hand, demands action, respect, courage and creativity from us. When we act together with nature, we become responsible students of Mother Earth, out of appreciation and gratitude and not out of fear, flight and powerlessness.

In your opinion, for the holistic well-being of patients, it must be possible to bring medical and alternative medicine care into a respectful harmony. How can this goal be achieved in the future?

Schöberl: Direct cooperation between doctors and alternative practitioners is prohibited by law. To end the factional conflict, we need more opportunities for open and tolerant doctors to work with forward-looking alternative practitioners in close connection with their core competencies to do real pioneering work. We need more mediating forums and reports instead of constantly overemphasizing individual cases and dividing elements between conventional medicine and naturopathy. Sustainable healing needs diversity - I believe that is what nature teaches us best!

Book tip:
Thomas Lambert Schöberl: Green Souls. About the wisdom of nature: From the (life) practice of a naturopath. Mankau Verlag, 1st edition February 2021, paperback, 13.5 x 21.5 cm, 318 pp., 18.95 euros (D) / 19.50 euros (A), ISBN 978-3-86374-598-1.

Audiobook tip:
Thomas Lambert Schöberl: Green Souls (audio book). About the wisdom of nature: From the (life) practice of a naturopath. Mankau Verlag, 1st edition February 2021, 1 MP3 CD in a jewel case, running time approx. 632 min., 15.00 euros RRP (D/A), ISBN 978-3-86374-601-8

Link recommendations:
More information about the book “Green Souls”
To the reading sample in PDF format
More information about the audio book “Green Souls”
More about author Thomas Lambert Schöberl
To the Internet forum with our authors