Navaho Symbols of Healing: A Jungian Exploration of Ritual, Image, and Medicine

by Donald Sandner

Book Overview

In this original and superbly researched work, a Jungian-trained psychiatrist explores ancient Navaho methods of healing--methods that use ritual and vibrant imagery to bring the psyche into harmony with the natural forces that surround it. Through his interactions with Navaho medicine men, Sandner conveys the rigors of their training and the complexities of their purification and evocation rites, including the use of sand paintings as healing mandalas...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0892814349
• ISBN13: 9780892814343
• Release Date: June 1991
• Publisher: Healing Arts Press
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Best Explanation of Navajo Religion/Myth/Belief System Yet

Being interested in Native American History and Culture, a while ago I had purchased the book "In the Beginning, The Navajo Genesis," which attempted to explain the Navajo Belief System through comparative analysis with regard to Christianity and Judiasm. The book written in academic terms was well written but failed to totally explain (as I said in my review) the entire system in plain English (sans fancy academia terminology). Much of the book I did understand but it made me hunt for a clearer more thorough explanation to make sure I did not misinterpet anything through translation. "Navaho Symbols of Healing: A Jungian Exploration of Ritual, Image, and Medice" by Donald Sanders, MD does just that. With a BS in Psychology, I now had a book that explored the Culture/Belief System in terminology that made sense. After reading this book, the reader gains a better understanding of the Navaho system, and culture. As a result, the reader cannot help but admire them for their tremendous psychic abilities, strong physical constitution, and tremendous contribution they have given humanity through homeopathic medicine. This book explains why and how they feel so connected to the earth. It reveals some of the ceremonies, songs and prayers said by Natsani Tso, Medicine Man which are truly enlightening. It does also refer back to information given in "In the Beginning, A Navajo Genesis" which was helpful. What surprises me most is how closely connected their belief system is to Plato's philosophies. If anyone reads Plato's Symposium, they will see (by substituting symbols of Navaho for his or your own) how similiar the systems are, and how connected all of us are in our beliefs. Reading Navaho Symbols of Healing enables the reader to gain a new perspective on and command a tremendous respect for the Native American