A comprehensive overview of Native American spiritual principles and their application for personal spirit-healing. • Includes traditional sacred exercises, teaching tales, case studies, and suggested rituals for individual and group healing. • Outlines the core principals of Native American traditional values and teaches how to apply them to the contemporary path of wellness and healing. • Publication to coincide with annual Full Circle gathering in September 2002 The Four Directions, the four seasons, and the four elements that make up the sacred hoop of the full circle must be in right relationship with one another or disharmony will result. Native American ritual has always emphasized the restoration of balance through ceremonies that provide a forum for learning, transition, and expressions of personal growth. Now Cherokee authors J. T. and Michael Garrett share Native American traditions to explore interrelationships as a tool for growth and transformation. The Cherokee Full Circle gathers techniques representing Native American cultures from across America--stories, exercises, and individual and group rituals--to teach the inherent dynamics of right relationship and apply them to the healing path. The authors provide a comprehensive overview of Native American spiritual principles and traditions and demonstrate how these ideas and methods can be applied universally to deal with life's situations--from depression and grieving to finding purpose and establishing positive relationships. NATIVE AMERICAN SPIRITUALITY The Cherokee Full Circle gathers techniques representing Native American cultures from across America to teach the inherent dynamics of right relationship and apply them to the healing path. The Four Directions, the four seasons, and the four elements that make up the sacred hoop of the Circle of Life must be in right relationship with one another or disharmony will result. Native American ritual has always emphasized the restoration of balance through ceremonies that provide a forum for learning, transition, and expressions of personal growth. In The Cherokee Full Circle Cherokee authors J. T. and Michael Garrett offer traditional Native American exercises, teaching tales, and rituals that explore interrelationship as a tool for individual and group healing. The authors provide a comprehensive overview of Native American spiritual traditions and demonstrate how these ideas and methods can be applied universally to deal with life's situations--from depression and grieving to finding purpose and establishing positive relationships. J. T. GARRETT, Ed.D., is a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee from North Carolina. His son, MICHAEL GARRETT, Ph.D., is the author of Walking on the Wind and together they are the authors of Medicine of the Cherokee. As students and teachers of Indian Medicine, they draw on the ancient wisdom teachings of their Medicine Elders on the Cherokee Reservation in the Great Smoky Mountains. Each fall the authors convene a Full Circle gathering, at which they teach ceremonies for right relationship. J. T. Garrett, Ed.D., is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee from North Carolina. His son, Michael Garrett, Ph.D., is the author of Walking on the Wind and together they are the authors of Medicine of the Cherokee . As students and teachers of Indian Medicine, they draw on the ancient wisdom teachings of their Medicine Elders on the Cherokee Reservation in the Great Smoky Mountains. From the Introduction Long ago, the wise old chiefs and the wise old women taught the children how to grow up and to love one another. All the land belonged to all the people and all the children felt that every man or woman was a father or a mother. So there was no hurt child wandering alone and unloved and there was no old person who did not have people who looked after him or her. When the young, strong hunters went out to kill buffalo or antelope or deer or elk, they would bring back to the old people, and to the widow and the weak, the best of the meat. So there was goodness and a common purpose among the people . . . [who were] in tune with something far more wonderful, the Spirit of Life. Native Americans have always stressed the importance of cultural ways and traditions as taught by the elders from our ancestors. Attitudes and behaviors associated with various Native American values have been expressed by Riles as follows. Values, Attitudes, and Behaviors Cooperation There is a sense of belonging in being a member of the group and in not being placed in a position above or below others by being singled out; improving on one's past performances is encouraged, though not to the detriment of the group. Group harmony The needs of the group are considered over those of the individual. Consensus is sought in times of decision. Modesty Boasting and loud behavior that attract attention to oneself are discouraged. Personal achievement and humbleness go hand