Frank Graziano
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- January 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195171303
- eISBN:
- 9780199785193
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195171303.003.0005
- Subject:
- Religion, History of Christianity
This chapter explores the devotion to Niño Fidencio, the most prominent Mexican folk saint. It examines Fidencio’s biography in historical context; spiritism and channeling; curanderismo (folk ...
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This chapter explores the devotion to Niño Fidencio, the most prominent Mexican folk saint. It examines Fidencio’s biography in historical context; spiritism and channeling; curanderismo (folk healing); relation to other curandero folk saints; and the nature of devotion at Fidencio’s shrine in Espinazo, Mexico, and in the Río Grande Valley of the United States.Less
This chapter explores the devotion to Niño Fidencio, the most prominent Mexican folk saint. It examines Fidencio’s biography in historical context; spiritism and channeling; curanderismo (folk healing); relation to other curandero folk saints; and the nature of devotion at Fidencio’s shrine in Espinazo, Mexico, and in the Río Grande Valley of the United States.
David Numrich Paul
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195167962
- eISBN:
- 9780199850150
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195167962.003.0022
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
Buddhists in the United States fall into two main camps: ethnic Asians, for whom Buddhism represents the primary religious component of their cultural heritage, and non-Asian converts to Buddhism. ...
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Buddhists in the United States fall into two main camps: ethnic Asians, for whom Buddhism represents the primary religious component of their cultural heritage, and non-Asian converts to Buddhism. These two broad groupings manifest significant differences in their perspectives and practice of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), with important implications for the American health care system. This chapter focuses primarily on selected CAM practices among US Buddhists under the general heading of folk healing, which includes behaviors often identified with popular religion or folk religiosity. Two kinds of folk healing are discussed: herbalism and appeal to spiritual or supramundane healing forces. Supramundane healing forces could be classified under several CAM designations, such as mental and spiritual healing (healing power from the mind or divine sources); nonlocality (unmediated healing at a distance); biofield medicine (use of energy fields in or around the body); and even the placebo response in certain cases (healing effected through a patient's belief in the treatment). This chapter also considers the practice of Buddhist meditation.Less
Buddhists in the United States fall into two main camps: ethnic Asians, for whom Buddhism represents the primary religious component of their cultural heritage, and non-Asian converts to Buddhism. These two broad groupings manifest significant differences in their perspectives and practice of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), with important implications for the American health care system. This chapter focuses primarily on selected CAM practices among US Buddhists under the general heading of folk healing, which includes behaviors often identified with popular religion or folk religiosity. Two kinds of folk healing are discussed: herbalism and appeal to spiritual or supramundane healing forces. Supramundane healing forces could be classified under several CAM designations, such as mental and spiritual healing (healing power from the mind or divine sources); nonlocality (unmediated healing at a distance); biofield medicine (use of energy fields in or around the body); and even the placebo response in certain cases (healing effected through a patient's belief in the treatment). This chapter also considers the practice of Buddhist meditation.
Diana G. Tumminia
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- July 2005
- ISBN:
- 9780195176759
- eISBN:
- 9780199835720
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0195176758.003.0007
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
The chapter examines the Unarian practice of past-life therapy as folk healing. Unarius claims it can heal any illness or life problem, including mental illness. Unarius defines mental illness as ...
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The chapter examines the Unarian practice of past-life therapy as folk healing. Unarius claims it can heal any illness or life problem, including mental illness. Unarius defines mental illness as obsession (unrecognized disabling karma from a past life). The author documents the narrative accounts of successful healing within the group and the perceived reasons why some people were not healed. Members precipitate healing by recognizing their roles in the transgressions of past lives; some roles are defined by myth.Less
The chapter examines the Unarian practice of past-life therapy as folk healing. Unarius claims it can heal any illness or life problem, including mental illness. Unarius defines mental illness as obsession (unrecognized disabling karma from a past life). The author documents the narrative accounts of successful healing within the group and the perceived reasons why some people were not healed. Members precipitate healing by recognizing their roles in the transgressions of past lives; some roles are defined by myth.
Brett Hendrickson
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9781479834785
- eISBN:
- 9781479843015
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9781479834785.003.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
This book presents a transcultural and multiethnic history of curanderismo, the folk and religious healing arts and practices of Mexican Americans. It looks at the religious and cosmological ...
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This book presents a transcultural and multiethnic history of curanderismo, the folk and religious healing arts and practices of Mexican Americans. It looks at the religious and cosmological foundations of curanderos as well as their impact on multiethnic communities in the United States. It also explores curanderismo's relationship to American religious, metaphysical, and alternative medicine and healing, suggesting that curanderismo has been a constant part of Mexican and Mexican American interactions with Anglo Americans since the Mexican–American War. It shows that the practices and beliefs surrounding curanderismo, and Mexican American religions more generally, occupy an integral and influential place in religious life in the United States.Less
This book presents a transcultural and multiethnic history of curanderismo, the folk and religious healing arts and practices of Mexican Americans. It looks at the religious and cosmological foundations of curanderos as well as their impact on multiethnic communities in the United States. It also explores curanderismo's relationship to American religious, metaphysical, and alternative medicine and healing, suggesting that curanderismo has been a constant part of Mexican and Mexican American interactions with Anglo Americans since the Mexican–American War. It shows that the practices and beliefs surrounding curanderismo, and Mexican American religions more generally, occupy an integral and influential place in religious life in the United States.
Brett Hendrickson
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9781479834785
- eISBN:
- 9781479843015
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9781479834785.003.0004
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
This chapter focuses on the various practices of curanderismo in the United States. Drawing on historical and ethnographic accounts, it examines the customs and habits of Mexican American religious ...
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This chapter focuses on the various practices of curanderismo in the United States. Drawing on historical and ethnographic accounts, it examines the customs and habits of Mexican American religious and folk healing. In particular, it chronicles the lives of two prominent folk saints, Teresa Urrea and Pedrito Jaramillo, as early examples of Mexican American folk healers who interacted often and successfully with mainstream white America. It also considers Anglo cultural assumptions that allowed Mexican American folk traditions and medicines to be transculturally efficacious. Finally, it discusses the herbal remedies, prayers, and typical techniques of several mid- and late-twentieth-century curanderos, who practice mostly in Mexican American barrios.Less
This chapter focuses on the various practices of curanderismo in the United States. Drawing on historical and ethnographic accounts, it examines the customs and habits of Mexican American religious and folk healing. In particular, it chronicles the lives of two prominent folk saints, Teresa Urrea and Pedrito Jaramillo, as early examples of Mexican American folk healers who interacted often and successfully with mainstream white America. It also considers Anglo cultural assumptions that allowed Mexican American folk traditions and medicines to be transculturally efficacious. Finally, it discusses the herbal remedies, prayers, and typical techniques of several mid- and late-twentieth-century curanderos, who practice mostly in Mexican American barrios.
Ariel Glucklich
- Published in print:
- 1997
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195108798
- eISBN:
- 9780199853434
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195108798.003.0007
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
Sociological and symbolical interpreters of magic singlemindedly ignore the occult questions that magic raises. The social sciences simply have no methods for inspecting extraordinary causal claims, ...
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Sociological and symbolical interpreters of magic singlemindedly ignore the occult questions that magic raises. The social sciences simply have no methods for inspecting extraordinary causal claims, which they regard as superfluous to the real purpose of magic. Any effort to verify or falsify occult claims would simply sidetrack the researcher from the proper manner of understanding magical phenomena. Hard scientists, who like to tinker with ideas, are more likely to take the boasts of magicians literally, if only for the sake of exposing their fakery. Recently, a new trend in medical and physical research has begun to regard magic both literally and sympathetically as an area worthy of serious study. This chapter looks at a few representative ideas and asks whether such new science projects explain magic, or explain it away. It examines the relatively new field of medical anthropology, and more specifically medical ecology, magical healing and folk healing, and psychoneuroimmunology.Less
Sociological and symbolical interpreters of magic singlemindedly ignore the occult questions that magic raises. The social sciences simply have no methods for inspecting extraordinary causal claims, which they regard as superfluous to the real purpose of magic. Any effort to verify or falsify occult claims would simply sidetrack the researcher from the proper manner of understanding magical phenomena. Hard scientists, who like to tinker with ideas, are more likely to take the boasts of magicians literally, if only for the sake of exposing their fakery. Recently, a new trend in medical and physical research has begun to regard magic both literally and sympathetically as an area worthy of serious study. This chapter looks at a few representative ideas and asks whether such new science projects explain magic, or explain it away. It examines the relatively new field of medical anthropology, and more specifically medical ecology, magical healing and folk healing, and psychoneuroimmunology.
Brett Hendrickson
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9781479834785
- eISBN:
- 9781479843015
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9781479834785.003.0009
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
This book has explored how transcultural exchanges have occurred between Mexican American folk healers and Anglo American patients. It has also discussed the impact of Mexican American religious and ...
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This book has explored how transcultural exchanges have occurred between Mexican American folk healers and Anglo American patients. It has also discussed the impact of Mexican American religious and folk healing traditions not only on Mexican Americans but also on a small but significant number of non-Mexican American patients. It has shown that the narrative predispositions of Mexican American folk healing have encountered channels of convergence with the predispositions of the American metaphysical tradition, making transcultural healing a possibility. One positive outcome of this transcultural exchange is that curanderismo has established a place for itself in the expanding world of complementary and alternative medicine. It has also allowed some curanderos in the United States to reconnect with the perceived indigenous roots of Mexican American religious healing.Less
This book has explored how transcultural exchanges have occurred between Mexican American folk healers and Anglo American patients. It has also discussed the impact of Mexican American religious and folk healing traditions not only on Mexican Americans but also on a small but significant number of non-Mexican American patients. It has shown that the narrative predispositions of Mexican American folk healing have encountered channels of convergence with the predispositions of the American metaphysical tradition, making transcultural healing a possibility. One positive outcome of this transcultural exchange is that curanderismo has established a place for itself in the expanding world of complementary and alternative medicine. It has also allowed some curanderos in the United States to reconnect with the perceived indigenous roots of Mexican American religious healing.
Brett Hendrickson
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9781479834785
- eISBN:
- 9781479843015
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9781479834785.003.0008
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
This chapter examines the ongoing hybridization of healthways in the U.S.–Mexico border region, with particular emphasis on Anglo American uses of Mexican American folk healing and similar ...
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This chapter examines the ongoing hybridization of healthways in the U.S.–Mexico border region, with particular emphasis on Anglo American uses of Mexican American folk healing and similar transcultural exchanges both in the United States and in other colonial border regions. It first considers how the folk saints and metaphysical therapies of borderlands' Mexican Americans sometimes operate effectively for Anglo Americans, and what these transcultural experiences tell us about the religious history of the border. It then discusses problems and possibilities arising from white and other non-Mexican American exchanges with curanderismo and other kinds of Mexican American religious healing. It also shows how the cultural exchange of healing from Mexican Americans to Anglo Americans has been facilitated in part by deep cultural predispositions of openness to such healing in the majority white culture.Less
This chapter examines the ongoing hybridization of healthways in the U.S.–Mexico border region, with particular emphasis on Anglo American uses of Mexican American folk healing and similar transcultural exchanges both in the United States and in other colonial border regions. It first considers how the folk saints and metaphysical therapies of borderlands' Mexican Americans sometimes operate effectively for Anglo Americans, and what these transcultural experiences tell us about the religious history of the border. It then discusses problems and possibilities arising from white and other non-Mexican American exchanges with curanderismo and other kinds of Mexican American religious healing. It also shows how the cultural exchange of healing from Mexican Americans to Anglo Americans has been facilitated in part by deep cultural predispositions of openness to such healing in the majority white culture.
Brett Hendrickson
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9781479834785
- eISBN:
- 9781479843015
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9781479834785.003.0006
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
This chapter examines New Age interest in curanderismo and Mexican American folk healing. It considers how the more “traditional” curanderos extend their practice to Anglo clients who almost always ...
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This chapter examines New Age interest in curanderismo and Mexican American folk healing. It considers how the more “traditional” curanderos extend their practice to Anglo clients who almost always participate in alternative healing and have been impacted by the American metaphysical religious tradition and New Age spirituality. In order to elucidate contemporary curanderismo's convergence with New Age and alternative healing communities, the chapter focuses on the continued development of American metaphysical religion into the twentieth century. It also looks at one of the most prominent contemporary curanderos, Elena Avila, and her way of practicing Mexican American religious healing to show that curanderismo continues to undergo hybridization. Finally, it discusses the use of the concept of chakras by curanderos to explain how Mexican American as well as Mayan and other Mesoamerican healing traditions work.Less
This chapter examines New Age interest in curanderismo and Mexican American folk healing. It considers how the more “traditional” curanderos extend their practice to Anglo clients who almost always participate in alternative healing and have been impacted by the American metaphysical religious tradition and New Age spirituality. In order to elucidate contemporary curanderismo's convergence with New Age and alternative healing communities, the chapter focuses on the continued development of American metaphysical religion into the twentieth century. It also looks at one of the most prominent contemporary curanderos, Elena Avila, and her way of practicing Mexican American religious healing to show that curanderismo continues to undergo hybridization. Finally, it discusses the use of the concept of chakras by curanderos to explain how Mexican American as well as Mayan and other Mesoamerican healing traditions work.
Brett Hendrickson
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9781479834785
- eISBN:
- 9781479843015
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9781479834785.001.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
Mexican American folk and religious healing, often referred to as curanderismo, has been a vital part of life in the Mexico–U.S. border region for centuries. A hybrid tradition made up primarily of ...
More
Mexican American folk and religious healing, often referred to as curanderismo, has been a vital part of life in the Mexico–U.S. border region for centuries. A hybrid tradition made up primarily of indigenous and Iberian Catholic pharmacopeias, rituals, and notions of the self, curanderismo treats the sick person with a variety of healing modalities including herbal remedies, intercessory prayer, body massage, and energy manipulation. Curanderos, “healers,” embrace a holistic understanding of the patient, including body, soul, and community. This book examines the ongoing evolution of Mexican American religious healing from the end of the nineteenth century to the present. Illuminating the ways in which curanderismo has had an impact not only on the health and culture of the borderlands but also far beyond, the book tracks its expansion from Mexican American communities to Anglo and multiethnic contexts. While many healers treat Mexican and Mexican American clientele, a significant number of curanderos have worked with patients from other ethnic groups as well, especially those involved in North American metaphysical religions like spiritualism, mesmerism, New Thought, New Age, and energy-based alternative medicines. The book explores this point of contact as an experience of transcultural exchange. Drawing on historical archives, colonial-era medical texts and accounts, early ethnographies of the region, newspaper articles, memoirs, and contemporary healing guidebooks as well as interviews with contemporary healers, the book demonstrates the notable and ongoing influence of Mexican Americans on cultural and religious practices in the United States, especially in the American West.Less
Mexican American folk and religious healing, often referred to as curanderismo, has been a vital part of life in the Mexico–U.S. border region for centuries. A hybrid tradition made up primarily of indigenous and Iberian Catholic pharmacopeias, rituals, and notions of the self, curanderismo treats the sick person with a variety of healing modalities including herbal remedies, intercessory prayer, body massage, and energy manipulation. Curanderos, “healers,” embrace a holistic understanding of the patient, including body, soul, and community. This book examines the ongoing evolution of Mexican American religious healing from the end of the nineteenth century to the present. Illuminating the ways in which curanderismo has had an impact not only on the health and culture of the borderlands but also far beyond, the book tracks its expansion from Mexican American communities to Anglo and multiethnic contexts. While many healers treat Mexican and Mexican American clientele, a significant number of curanderos have worked with patients from other ethnic groups as well, especially those involved in North American metaphysical religions like spiritualism, mesmerism, New Thought, New Age, and energy-based alternative medicines. The book explores this point of contact as an experience of transcultural exchange. Drawing on historical archives, colonial-era medical texts and accounts, early ethnographies of the region, newspaper articles, memoirs, and contemporary healing guidebooks as well as interviews with contemporary healers, the book demonstrates the notable and ongoing influence of Mexican Americans on cultural and religious practices in the United States, especially in the American West.
José E. Limón
Omar Valerio-Jiménez, Santiago Vaquera-Vásquez, and Claire F. Fox (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- September 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780252041211
- eISBN:
- 9780252099809
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Illinois Press
- DOI:
- 10.5622/illinois/9780252041211.003.0003
- Subject:
- Society and Culture, Latin American Studies
This essay traces the cultural connections between Mexican American in Texas and those in the Midwest. Beginning with the famous cattle drives from Texas to the Midwest in the mid-nineteenth century ...
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This essay traces the cultural connections between Mexican American in Texas and those in the Midwest. Beginning with the famous cattle drives from Texas to the Midwest in the mid-nineteenth century and the musical genre of the corrido to folk healing, contemporary rock music, and fiction, these two seemingly distinct communities created cultural linkages that helped them struggle against adversity in a manner best understood as an example of critical regionalism as developed by Kenneth Frampton, Fredric Jameson and Cheryl Herr.Less
This essay traces the cultural connections between Mexican American in Texas and those in the Midwest. Beginning with the famous cattle drives from Texas to the Midwest in the mid-nineteenth century and the musical genre of the corrido to folk healing, contemporary rock music, and fiction, these two seemingly distinct communities created cultural linkages that helped them struggle against adversity in a manner best understood as an example of critical regionalism as developed by Kenneth Frampton, Fredric Jameson and Cheryl Herr.
