Native American

I believe that the extremes taught in such traditions is meant to facilitate courage, willpower, and confidence which is known even scientifically within the placebo effect to create physical improvement on our health. And many scientists believe that the mind has the ability to heal any illness or injury in the body if the person believes it strongly enough. They are trying to harness this in a controlled way and even cancer treatment centers are incorporating spiritual practices to supplement this ability to self heal. Science is equally beginning to learn how involved our conscious mind is in how our body reacts. When we see someone hurt emotionally or physically our brain mimics it as if we are the ones hurt. So to drive into a warrior's mind that he can in fact be impervious to damage would not only cause him to not show pain but also survive longer on the battlefield and allow those that fight by his side to equally endure longer without distraction from the battle itself. Our doubt, fear and distrust is our greatest enemy.

You have to understand that medicine people are there to help the people not necessarily tell them the truth.

Let's bring it to a situation most can relate to. You don't tell someone failing in school that they are a failure do you? No! You tell them they're doing great, and they will do better! You tell them they can achieve anything they put their mind to! Do you believe they're doing well? Heck no! Can they become great? Of course. Will they succeed if they are given the truth? No.

When in war, do you tell your soldiers they are going to die. No! You tell them they are going to win because they will fight harder. Every good leader that has defied the odds has done it.

This is why the modern world is so cynical and negative. Sigh

These indigenous people referred to themselves as shamans?