Indigenous thought defines health as an integral fact that harmoniously combines physical, mental, environmental, and spiritual dimensions. For those of us raised with ancestors from these lands, healing represents a process of deep cooperation between the guide, their culture, and the patient. Additionally, the treatment is formulated in a personalized way using elements extracted directly from nature. Therefore, this vision transcends the simple absence of disease to focus on complete existential well-being.
Within this system, figures of legitimate authority, such as the Doopooto of the Kalina lineage, possess an exceptional perceptive capacity to lead ceremonies. These authorities can control their non-physical bodies to perceive broader realities and perform acts of community healing. Furthermore, they use specific herbs and chants that respond to the vibrations of the human system to restore lost balance. Consequently, Indigenous thought utilizes music and sound as existential energies to elevate perception and evolve with wisdom.Regarding the environment, ancestral nations consider that the energies of nature directly influence people’s health. Unfortunately, the current developmental model has caused ecological and historical trauma that leads to illnesses and social conflicts. This mercantilist vision has destroyed sacred spaces from which these cultures traditionally obtained their healing plants. For this reason, recovering Indigenous thought is vital to heal the broken bond between humanity and its natural environment.
Nature and spirit in indigenous thought
The ancestral nation in Abya Yala considers that illness is a message and that the origin of life resides in plant nature. According to this notion of complementarity, if Pacha Mama becomes ill, the human being will inevitably suffer the consequences. Similarly, this knowledge recognizes humans as an integral part of nature and not as its dominant center. Consequently, Indigenous thought stands in contrast to the Western anthropomorphic vision, which tends to be partial and mercantilist.
The emphasis on spiritual and psychic aspects plays a decisive role in maintaining integral health. These cultures practice the contemplation of nature to understand existence and treat complex problems of a “supernatural” order. For example, experiences such as delusions or hallucinations are approached from a perspective that does not always coincide with Western science. Thanks to this openness, it is possible to redefine certain mental phenomena without prematurely labeling them as pathologies.
In clinical consultation, many patients report the experience of feeling the presence of deceased loved ones. While the conventional view may interpret this as an illusion of grief, Indigenous thought validates this energetic connection. It is essential to talk extensively in therapy about these events before imposing a rigid clinical diagnosis. Therefore, the recognition of the spiritual dimension is highly healthy and comforting for those going through a process of loss.
Challenges of the current model against ancestral wisdom
Health in the practice of our ancestors consists of appreciating the variety of sacred relationships that emanate from existence. The fundamental principle dictates that everything is related to everything else and that this interconnection must be deeply respected. However, the prevailing developmental model ignores secular spirituality and respect for the earth in its pursuit of power. As a result, this rigidity contributes to generating distress, loneliness, and the destruction of cultural identity.
The dominant health model is often characterized by an attitude of control assumed by “experts” and health institutions. This pursuit of power restricts the right of the assisted person to participate actively in their own healing process. Furthermore, there is a tendency to underestimate the patient’s capacity to process information and resolve situations related to their well-being. Nevertheless, Indigenous thought proposes that both perspectives could converge if individuality and the consultant’s background are respected.
Equating health solely with the absence of disease is to discard essential qualitative aspects, such as the development of consciousness. While medical care and pharmaceuticals are real and necessary, they should not be the only means to combat discomfort. In conclusion, integrating the dimensions discussed in Indigenous thought allows for a more humane and complete evolution. Only through this balance can we achieve a true integration of all dimensions of being.
