Revisiting the Navajo Way: Lessons for Contemporary Healing

Abstract

Given the paradox of the success of modern medical technology and the growing patient dissatisfaction with present-day medicine, critics have called for a reevaluation of contemporary medical practice. This paper offers a phenomenological analysis of traditional Navajo healers and their ceremonies to highlight key aspects of healing. A phenomenological view of medical practice takes into account three key features: the lifeworld, the lived body, and understanding. Because of their closeness to a phenomenological view, traditional Navajo mythology and healing practices offer insight into the healing process. Contemporary physicians can appreciate the phenomenological elements of Navajo healing ceremonies, including the Mountain Chant. Navajo healers help patients make sense of their illnesses and direct their lives accordingly, an outcome available to contemporary practitioners, who are also gifted with the benefits of new technologies. By examining scientific medicine, Navajo healing practices, and phenomenology as complementary disciplines, the authors provide the groundwork for reestablishing a more therapeutic view of health.

Shamanism: An Inquiry into the History of the Scholarly Use of the Term in English‐Speaking North America

“…This expansion of use into the psychological literature can largely be credited to humanistic and transpersonal psychologists, who were becoming acquainted with the anthropological literature at this time (Leahey 1987;Taylor and Pledilato 2002). Presently, the terms are used in almost every academic field, ranging from nursing and biomedical literature (Rabinowitz 2003;Schneider and DeHaven 2003;Winkelman 2003) to neuroscience (Krippner and Combs 2002b;Polimeni and Reiss 2002;Shimoji and Miyakawa 2000), to religious studies and social science literature (to list a few, see Drury 2003;Taylor and Pledilato 2002;Townsend 2004;Vogel 2003;von Stuckard 2002;York 2001). However, all of these fields still largely rely on anthropological accounts and definitions of the terms, demonstrating the central role anthropology has had in the understanding and uses of these terms.…”

Embedding DBT Skills Training Within a Transactional-Ecological Framework to Reduce Suicidality in a Navajo Adolescent Female

“…Similarly, DBT philosophy is based on the idea that while clients may have not caused all their problems, they still need to solve them, and DBT provides them with the tools to do so (Dimeff & Koerner, 2007). Lifeworld healing includes instruction on self-awareness and self-discipline, mirroring the DBT focus on mindfulness and utilization of wise mind to avoid errors made when one thinks purely emotionally or purely logically (Schneider & DeHaven, 2003).…”

Concept Analysis of Diné Hózhó

“…Leininger 6,7 introduced the culture care theory to advance transcultural nursing knowledge and practice. 4,[15][16][17] Within the discipline of nursing, the concept of Hózhó has neither been elucidated nor been developed as a model or theory for nursing practice. 6,7 Nurses providing care to the Diné will develop proficiency, insight, and a richer understanding of the expansive Diné wellness concept of Hózhó.…”

“…15,16,[22][23][24][25] Diné, like many AIAN tribes, have experienced significant life challenges. 15,16,[22][23][24][25] Diné, like many AIAN tribes, have experienced significant life challenges.…”