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Native American Spirituality
Native American spirituality rests upon traditions thousands of years old,
traditions that developed gradually as did the indigenous cultures, that blossomed
along side of the native civilizations that took root. The European entrance
into the long established indigenous ways of life, as well as the industrialization
and modernization that followed their arrival, certainly tested the strength
of ancient beliefs, but due to oral traditions and other means, much of the
early knowledge has been able to survive through the generations, despite
the continuous efforts of the newcomers to the continent to replace Native
American spirituality with Christianity.
After centuries of efforts at suppression, in recent decades, Native American
spirituality has enjoyed a re-emergence, as have Native American languages
and other aspects of Native American culture. Part of this relates to the
ethnic movements of other peoples seeking equality and part of this reemergence
relates to New Age types of spiritual practice in American culture. However,
the relationship between Native American spirituality in a modern world and
New Age traditions is not without conflict.
One of the complaints about the New Agers’ fascination with Native
American spirituality has to do with a sort of co-opting of culture, one that
reflects a superficial understanding of the ancient spiritual knowledge and
philosophies that are at the root of Native American spirituality. Another
is the merchandising of certain aspects of Native American spirituality, such
as the purification rites related to the sweat lodge and the traditions of
the shaman.
Many of the concepts that Native American spirituality has preserved for
generations have come to have great influence in the way many outside of their
culture understand the world around them, something that is especially noticeable
in the environmental protection movement. Despite the challenges it faces in
a modern world, Native American spirituality has proven itself to be strong
and vibrant, able to adapt to the new world, while maintaining its essential
beliefs and traditions, as well as influence the thinking of the modern American
nation.
Joseph Paige © 2006
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