This book examines healing practices across cultures, tracing the role of spirituality from Native American shamanism to modern health care. The authors argue that spiritual dimensions are integral to healing, offering a cross-cultural perspective on how rituals, beliefs, and altered states of consciousness contribute to therapeutic outcomes. They discuss shamanic traditions, the placebo effect, and the integration of spiritual approaches in contemporary medicine, suggesting that acknowledging these dimensions can enhance patient care.
Many traditional Native American cultures in North America socially sanction visionary experiences in individuals. The use of visionary experiences in these cultures, especially in shamanism, is discussed. The process of using induction techniques to acquire shamanic power may over time adversely affect the shaman's ability.