Abstract
Indigenous cultures live in symbiosis with the natural world and do not perceive a divide or separation between humans and nature. Accordingly they view health and sickness from a very different standpoint than modern Western societies and the mainstream mental health system. This chapter explores how indigenous cultures understand the relationship between humans and nature and how this connects with their beliefs about health and sickness and with healing. The chapter also provides examples of how Western practitioners can learn from indigenous cultures by developing therapeutic methods that are rooted in our relationship with nature.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
Obviously the disrobing part of this activity is contingent upon weather conditions and possible regulations about nudity on public lands. Being aware of local laws and regulations is advised.
References
Barr, J. (1972). Man and nature: The ecological controversy and the old testament. Bulletin of the John Rylands Library, 55(1), 9–32. https://doi.org/10.7227/BJRL.55.1.2
Berry, T. (1988). The dream of the earth. San Francisco, CA: Sierra Club Books.
Crowley, J. (2007). The eagle and the condor: A true story of an unexpected mystical journey. Greenwood Village, CO: Stone Tree Publishing.
Davis, J. (1998). The transpersonal dimensions of ecopsychology: Nature, nonduality, and spiritual practice. The Humanistic Psychologist, 26(1–3), 60–100. https://doi.org/10.1080/08873267.1998.9976967
Davis, J. (2011). Ecopsychology, transpersonal psychology, and nonduality. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 30(1–2), 89–100. Retrieved from http://www.johnvdavis.com/files/Davis_EPTPNonduality_IJTS_2011.pdf
Davis, M. J. (2013). Indigenous struggles in standard-setting: The United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples. University of South Wales. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2298527
Macy, J., & Brown, M. Y. (2014). The updated guide to the work that reconnects: Coming back to life. Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publishers.
McFadden, H. F. (2012). Constructing indigenous identity in Peru: From indigenismo to tourism. Proquest Dissertations Publishing.
Naess, A. (2008). Ecology of wisdom: Writings by Arne Naess. Berkeley, CA: Counterpoint Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Carvalho, D.S., Platt, J.J. (2019). Indigenous Healing: Mental Health and the Path of the Condor. In: Laszloffy, T., Twist, M. (eds) Eco-Informed Practice. AFTA SpringerBriefs in Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14954-3_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14954-3_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-14953-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-14954-3
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and PsychologyBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)