Description
Traditional methods for addressing conflict and healing have been largely replaced in elite settings by modern approaches. Rather than old and new complementing one another, bias is present. New is widely perceived as better among elite institutions, even when research indicates otherwise. Within the realm of international development, the need for cost-effective, sustainable, and successful methods of healing must be explored.
Natural Healing as Conflict Resolution is an essential reference book that examines and addresses systemic bias towards natural healing methods and explores the mutually beneficial relationships of natural healing through human and non-human life forms in the context of resolving conflict. It illustrates not only the more obvious biological/physiological benefits of complementary approaches, but also the spiritual, emotional, and psychological benefits of integrating natural means of healing to resolve conflict. As such, the book acknowledges the effectiveness and articulates the benefits of traditional indigenous healing methods and how they can be used in complementary, mutually beneficial ways with modern practices. Highlighting emerging topics that include ecopsychology, parapsychology, and holistic medicine, this book is ideal for conflict resolution practitioners, psychologists, trauma counselors, veterans associations, pet therapists, nature organizations, academics, scientists, eco-architects and designers, international development policymakers, peacebuilding institutions, natural and traditional healers, alternative/integrative medicine practitioners, spiritualists, researchers, and students.
Reviews and Testimonials
"Immersing myself in a ritual to make an authentic hoodoo talisman, grigri, inspired my work. There was a conflict of buying or making it after I had a bone-caster's divination. In ethno-traditional medicine this conflict may not exist; in western cultural tradition it exists. Seeking embodied spirituality and females' natural curing abilities led to an unordinary solution. This seemed important given that psychotherapy offered no rituals and complicated the question of responsibility and authority in healing."
– Cedar Sarilo Leverett, Parapsychological Association, USA, Independent Researcher
"A far cry from conventional research books, this volume contains vivid explanations of post-war community trauma healing, personal journeys of divination through dreams and ancient practices, accounts of surprise spiritual experiences occurring through breathwork, communities physically experiencing their ancestors among them, what is the tie between spirituality and alcoholism, and much more. It also highlights the cutting contrast when modern practices disregard the natural world and try to regulate it through formal channels of western funding and policies, such licensing indigenous healers.”
– Rebecca Nicholson, 8th House Elan, USA
Author's/Editor's Biography
Rebecca Nicholson (Ed.)
Rebecca Nicholson specializes in the integration of contemporary and indigenous systems of conflict resolution. Her work has included conflict related to human trafficking, child soldier reintegration, genocide prevention, post-war development, and countering violent extremism. Currently Dr. Nicholson works as a conflict coach to individuals, and as a private consultant to philanthropic foundations. She is also a Senior Scientist at Valka-Mir Human Security, who specialize in the use of nonlethal soft power tactics to augment Psychological Operations and Civil-Military Affairs. Dr. Nicholson’s early professional experience was in political campaigning, fundraising, strategic messaging, and press relations. She has published on sexism that occurs (and kills careers) at elite levels, and the way donor participation can either exacerbate or resolve conflict. She holds a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis & Resolution, undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Public Relations, and numerous certifications for specialized training in family conflict, disaster-related mental health, and trauma.