Harmony with All Things: The Native American
View of Health and Illness
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 neg-
ative, 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 influ-
ence on the acceptance or rejection of the treatment plans from conventional health
care providers. They may also function as tribal social mediators, dispensing tradi-
tional wisdom and suggesting action. Medicine people reaffirm and strengthen tribal
identity through the recounting of myth and song. They have an extensive knowl-
edge 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 peo-
ple are figures of authority and awe as instruments of the Creator.
CHAPTER 5 NATIVE AMERICAN HEALING 73
