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Title: The Dancing Healers by Carl A. Hammerschlag, Inc Staff Turtle Island Press ISBN: 1-889166-27-8 Publisher: Turtle Island Pr Inc Pub. Date: 01 October, 1998 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $20.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.67 (3 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: A "dancing," but limited, introduction
Comment: --The author is a psychiatrist with apparently excellent credentials, and the book is an interesting, easily read introduction to the art of Native American Healing. He uses several case studies from his own experience to illustrate how "healing" differs from "curing." "Healing" involves creating a healthy attitude toward the person's pain or loss, while "curing" tries to end the person's disease (as in the Western medical model). Healing is a dance; curing is a technique. Both demand training and intuition, and they work best when they work together (and hopefully they will work; the Native American health system needs help). These points seem simple but worthwhile.
-- He also gives a good idea how Native Americans are faring, in an exhaustingly unhealthy situation. The third or fourth world exists here in the USA, on nearly any Reservation, and is likely to be here for some time. Speaking of which, the author also gives a good perspective on ethnic prejudice -- after being stereotyped as just another pushy white transient Reservation doctor, he quickly developed a better understanding of prejudice, forgiveness, and compassion. He also improved his listening skills!
--I hope we don't expect too much from any charming and appealing concept like "dancing healing," or we may become disappointed. People have ignored the wisdom of "curers" to live a responsible and healthy lifestyle, and they are also likely to ignore the wisdom of "healers," which can be pretty disappointing for the "healers." The "dancing" described by the author is very difficult to qualify or compare, it is vulnerable to shallow understanding, and it depends greatly on charisma -- and charismatic leaders often turn very bad, very quickly. Like many others who sort of slam Western medicine, the author conveys a poor understanding of the scientific method or evidence-based medicine (perhaps we should focus attention on interesting more Native Americans in the sciences, which is a tradition universal to all of humanity. Science is, at least in large part, a method rather than a culture and if Judaism and Christianity can be compatible with science, so can Native American traditions. It's a safe bet that without an appreciation of, and education in science, conditions on the Reservations won't improve much). The author seems to highlight the worst cases of Western medicine in his apologia, and seems to imply that Western medicine is responsible for alcoholism, diabetes, and the other conditions leading to the deplorable state of much of our health system. This ignores the vast benefits medicine has given to nearly every person on this planet. I certainly hope "dancing healing" works well; I'm just saying I would be realistic with my expectations.
-- The author alludes to several technical papers he has written, and a bibliography would have been helpful. The reader may want to look into L. Irwin's "Native American Spirituality" and "Dream Seekers" (with V. DeLoria), and may want to examine Drs. B. Lown and R. Remen for other physicians who want to heal as well as cure.
In short, this is an eminently readable book. It's brief and informative, it's interesting and enjoyable, and it seems positive. It's a good introduction; I wish the author well with his work and his dance, and wish those who seek to improve the health of Native America well with theirs.
Rating: 5
Summary: Don't Give a Person Who Can't Dance a Stethoscope
Comment: "All stories speak to each of us. Understanding this connection is crucial if we're to be able to live together and to live with ourselves. We must learn to feel how other people connect to one another and to the universe." (Preface)
After completing his internship, Hammerschlag joined the Indian Health Service and began a personal and professional journey in the Southwest. Although he thought he was bringing his healing skills to impoverished people who would be grateful for his gifts, he had no conscious clue that he had chosen a place for his own healing.
Weaving together stories of the brutal destruction of Native American culture by the "White Man" with vignettes and reflections, Hammerschlag suggests a paradigm that goes beyond Western medicine, pronouncing that true healing is impossible without a connection to community, to spirit, and to the land. He compares the work of his mentors, Milton Erickson and Eric Fromm, with Native American healing and spiritual traditions. His journey led him to discover that the keys to healing are to be found, not in some magical external repository, but within the patient her/himself:
"Patients are the principal agents in their lives, and as much as they want to be well, they want peace and understanding." (p. 137)
"All of us have the keys to our own enlightenment. The therapist uses whatever symbols mean something to that patient. Patients already have the answers to their questions. As the therapist listens to the problem, the patient will also tell the solution." (p. 140)
An excellent book, full of powerful stories and brilliant reflections. A must read for anybody interested in personal growth, in helping others, or in the healing process. Details about the abuse of Native Americans may prompt even the most detached narcissists into caring action.
(If you'd like to discuss this book or review in more detail, please click on the "about me" link above and drop me an email. Thanks!)
Rating: 5
Summary: Brilliant, must read.
Comment: Dr. Hammerschlag weaves his journey of healing with insightful stories and personal anecdotes. This book shares his experiences he had working in medicine and psychiatry among Native Americans of the Southwest. It is a description of his growth as a healer. "Dancing Healers" encourages everyone to look at anything and everything that can promote better health in ourselves. The examples of healing ceremonies and rituals, promote a holistic approach to medicine. It is not meant to replace "Western Medicine" but to be used in conjunction with it to achieve complete healing. "Dancing Healers" above all else offers hope. The reader walks away from the book with a renewed or altered sense of spirituality. I found Dr. Hammerschlag's storytelling compelling. Once started, it is impossible to put down. It was so riveting, I read the entire book in one night. ALSO RECOMMENDED: Dr. Hammerschlag's "The Theft of the Spirit"
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Title: THEFT OF THE SPIRIT : A JOURNEY TO SPIRITUAL HEALING by Carl Hammerschlag ISBN: 0671885537 Publisher: Fireside Pub. Date: 18 August, 1994 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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Title: COYOTE MEDICINE: LESSONS FROM NATIVE AMERICAN HEALING by Lewis Mehl-Madrona ISBN: 0684839970 Publisher: Touchstone Books Pub. Date: 26 August, 1998 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: The Scalpel and the Silver Bear : The First Navajo Woman Surgeon Combines Western Medicine and Traditional Healing by Elizbeth Cohen Van Pelt, Lori Alvord ISBN: 0553378007 Publisher: Bantam Pub. Date: 06 June, 2000 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: The Theft of the Spirit: A Journey to Spiritual Healing With Native Americans by Carl A. Hammerschlag, Inc Staff Turtle Island Press ISBN: 188916612X Publisher: Turtle Island Pr Inc Pub. Date: 01 October, 1998 List Price(USD): $20.00 |
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Title: Honoring the Medicine : The Essential Guide to Native American Healing by Ken Cohen ISBN: 0345395301 Publisher: One World/Ballantine Pub. Date: 03 June, 2003 List Price(USD): $26.95 |
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