The curative power of ceremony, social cohesion and reflection in Native American wellness

Abstract eng:
Under the weight of forced assimilation, degradation of a traditional way of life and growing hopelessness, the Native American Church (NAC), a pan-Indian religious movement emerged in the 1880s melding the spiritual heritage of diverse indigenous belief systems. Today, NAC is the most widespread indigenous religion and healing practice among Native people in the United States (US). Although the ceremony can vary, strict adherence to core beliefs and rituals maintain this unique spiritual and healing heritage. NAC incorporates the belief in a benevolent higher power, the use of peyote as a sacrament to foster self-reflection, clarity, and divine connection, and the restorative power of collective song and prayer to achieve health by regaining harmony with the environment. NAC tenets are practiced independently of allopathic medicine; compartmentalization maintains the integrity of the indigenous practice. This paper discusses NAC as a religious and social movement, the struggles with religious freedom and the power of the ceremony.

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