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

Donald Sandner M.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1991

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 and the esoteric meaning of the pollen path. 

Presents the basic principles of Navaho healing:
  Return to the origins
  Confrontation and manipulation of evil
  Death and rebirth
  Restoration of the universe 

Challenges Western medicine in its search for a more holistic and humane healing art. 

Cloth edition of this title was published by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In this well-researched volume the reader gets an authentic look at the combined power of Navajo religion, medicine and art."
(

The Book Reader

)

About the Author

Donald Sandner, M.D. is a San Francisco psychiatrist with a private practice in Jungian analysis. He is a former president of the C.G. Jung Institute of San Francisco.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Healing Arts Press (June 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892814349
• ISBN-13: 978-0892814343
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #432,781 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Explanation of Navajo Religion/Myth/Belief System Yet, February 23, 2007

By 

Judith M. Gemeinhardt - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Navaho Symbols of Healing: A Jungian Exploration of Ritual, Image, and Medicine (Paperback)

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

5.0 out of 5 stars More than Navajo, July 24, 2011

By 

Walter R. Taylor (Los Angeles CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Navaho Symbols of Healing: A Jungian Exploration of Ritual, Image, and Medicine (Paperback)

I practice as a psychotherapist in a community that serve people of diverse origins. I find often there are unsaid differences that make a difference.Navaho Symbols of Healing highlights some of the ways of thinking and being that underlie many cultures. Any practitioner coming from a Family Systems, Ecological, or Recovery Model approach or who simply wants to be more culturally aware in dealing with a diverse clientele would benefit from the insights in this book

5.0 out of 5 stars Navajo Symbols of Healing, June 19, 2011

By 

San Francisco Therapy - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Navaho Symbols of Healing: A Jungian Exploration of Ritual, Image, and Medicine (Paperback)

An important text for anyone trying to integrate and understand the power of symbols within the psyche. Beginning with Susanne Langer's Philosophy in a New Key late San Franciscan Native Donald Sandner, Jungian Analyst, explores the sacred imagery of the Navajo in a way that can be integrated to anyone interested in understanding more about symbolic healing.