Old Native
Old Native
All Things in Harmony: A native american View of Health and Illness
The view of health by Native Americans is both all encompassing and thoughtful. Traditional medicine can play a more stoic and relentlessly lend to the scientific approach, but Native Americans have a more holistic outlook.
Health is viewed as a balance or harmony of mind and body. The goal is to be in harmony with all things, which means first being in harmony with oneself. Harmony is thought to neutralize problems and help one's life to become beautiful. Good health makes it easier for all people to do their part in the universe, to serve others, and to fulfill their personal life visions.
Life is considered in all of its dualities: winter/summer, cold/hot, day/night, mind/body, spiritual/physical, work/play, and so on. Native people believe that the two sides of everything deserve equal attention and that both should be nourished with love. A healthy person who is walking in balance is energized and alert, and even in the presence of disease will still feel alive and fulfilled.
Traditionally, Native American people lived long, happy, healthy, and balanced lives. They did everything to respect and honor Mother Earth and the Great Spirit. They ate wholesome food and considered all food to be blessed as a gift of life from the Creator. They got up with the sun and went to bed with the moon. Exercise was a natural part of their lives, integrated into daily activities. These good health habits, a sense of joy, and a purpose in life are key factors for living into old age.
Illness occurs when balance is disrupted. It is believed that most illness begins in the head and that people must get rid of ideas that predispose illness. If the mind is negative, the body will be drained, making it more vulnerable. When people open up to the universe, learn what is good for them, and find ways to be happier, they can begin to work toward a longer and healthier life. Many ancient people had ways to get rid of this negativity. The Mayan people of Mexico would stand in a stream of flowing water and talk out all their angers, fears, sorrows, or troubles over the water. The moving water would take all the emotions they poured out of themselves into the current and away from them.
Role of Medicine Women and Men
Although they are the primary care providers in many places, the responsibilities of medicine women and men go beyond healing illness. They also evaluate advice and treatment given by other health care practitioners. They often have a strong influence on the acceptance or rejection of the treatment plans from conventional health care providers. They may also function as tribal social mediators, dispensing traditional wisdom and suggesting action. Medicine people reaffirm and strengthen tribal identity through the recounting of myth and song. They have an extensive knowledge of their communities and of family relationships and interaction. They are the formulators and teachers of the old religion and creators of the new. Medicine people are figures of authority and awe as instruments of the Creator.
In conclusion, keeping all things in balance and retrospect is a simple foundation and simple approach to maintaining good health and a healthy life.
About the Author
Angela Abbette is an enthusiastic writer for http://www.hitkingdom.com and is an avid user of the Alternative Medicine information found at uPublish.info
 |
 Antique Old Pawn Native American Butterfly Brooch pin  US $12,499.00
|
 IMPORTANT OLD NATIVE AMERICAN TURQUOISE SILVER BRACELET US $9,750.00
|
 a Very Rare Old Native American Inuit sculpture Eskimo US $3,150.00
|
 Native Navajo Old Pawn Sterling Silver BISBEE Turquoise Squash Necklace Set US $2,799.00
|
 Native American Old Pawn Style LRG Turquoise Stamped Silver Concho Leather Belt US $2,499.00
|
 a Fantastic Old Native American Inuit sculpture Eskimo US $2,450.00
|
 Navajo Rug Navajo Blanket old Estate rug RRA 5x8 Native American Indian 116460 US $2,275.00
|
 Native Navajo XL Old Style Sterling Silver Turq Mtn Turquoise Cluster Bracelet US $2,249.00
|
 Vintage Old Pawn Native Zuni Sterling Silver Needlepoint Turquoise Concho Belt US $2,129.00
|
 Vintage 70s Old Pawn Native American VICTOR MOSES BEGAY Turquoise Concho Belt US $2,100.00
|
 Vintage Old Pawn Native Rick Martinez Sterling Silver GECKO Overlay Concho Belt US $1,829.00
|
 Native American Navajo Vintage Old Pawn XL Silver Turquoise Concho Leather Belt US $1,699.00
|
 Native American Navajo Old Pawn Sterling Silver Turquoise Cluster Concho Belt US $1,679.00
|
 Old Pawn Sioux Plains Indian Native American Beaded Beadwork 1880s Pipe Bag US $1,675.00
|
 Native Navajo Old Pawn Style Turquoise Silver Concho Leather Belt US $1,654.00
|
 Native American Navajo R Yazzie Old Pawn Turquoise Coral Peyote Bird Necklace US $1,459.00
|
 Native American Old Pawn Style XL Silver Turquoise Concho Leather Belt US $1,339.00
|
 Vintage Old Pawn Style Native American Navajo XL Turquoise Silver Concho Belt US $1,329.00
|
 A MINNESOTA SIOUX NATIVE WOOL RIBBON SILVER COIN DRESS Old Coins US $1,500.00
|
 GREAT OLD 19TH CENTURY NATIVE HOPI POLLACA INDIAN JAR US $1,200.00
|
 Native San Carlos Apache Burden Indian Basket old US $1,200.00
|
 Vintage 1920s Old Dead Pawn Native Americana Sterling Silver Turquoise Bracelet US $1,199.00
|
 Native American Navajo Pawn Style Old Mercury Dimes Turquoise Necklace US $1,179.00
|
 Native American Navajo Old Pawn Style Mercury Dimes Red Coral Beads Necklace US $1,179.00
|
 Native American 8 Nevada Turquoise Old Style Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet s75 US $1,098.00
|
 Native American Turquoise Sterling Old Pawn Concho Belt US $1,095.00
|
Old video of Southeastern Native American dancing