An introduction to Native American spirituality

Despite the fact that there exists a vast amount of literature on the subject of Native American spirituality, many people claim they know or understand very little on the subject.

Some facts

Overview
In fact, the area is extremely complex encompassing a diverse range of individual beliefs and practices.
However, it is possible to effectively trace an outline of the subject.
Spiritual beliefs and practices
An important point to note from the outset is that almost exclusively followers of Native American spirituality do not consider their spiritual beliefs and practices to be a "religion".
In reality, traditional American spirituality focuses on how their practices and beliefs comprise an essential and unified measure of their very existence. Some History
Several estimations have been made on how many Native Americans existed during the period that first witnessed the arrival of the Europeans.
Unfortunately, these estimates can range anywhere between 1.2 and 12 million. What is perhaps more certain is that by the end of the 19th century, disease and the invasion of the Europeans had reduced the number to some 250,000.
Development
The reason that Native American traditions and beliefs tend to be widely diverse is because of the natural isolation that the various tribes lived in for centuries throughout the whole of the North American continent.
This led to the development of diverse native American rituals among tribes.

Traditional spirituality

Common Characteristics
Native American religion tends to be associated with both the natural landscape, in which Native Americans inhabit as well as to some degree of supernaturalism.
Native American mythology is also profoundly entrenched within their culture.
Despite the diversity, this traditional spirituality can be characterized by the belief in honour, love and respect.
The followers accept that literally everything is sanctified from the greatest mountain to the tiniest plant.
They also believe that everything has a definite purpose and that understanding can be gained from all things.

End note

Final word
There exists many versions of native American myths, folklore and legends.
However, Native American spirituality can be summarised to an extent in that it tends towards pantheism,.
This is then combined with the belief in a profound connection between the dual worlds of the natural and the spiritual.