The Navajo tribe’s way contains no concept for religion as an activity which is separate from daily life. All living things such as people, plants, animals, mountains, and the Earth itself are connected. Each being is infused with its own spirit, or ‘inner form’, which gives it life and purpose within an orderly and interconnected universe. The inter relatedness of all creation is recognized through daily prayer offerings and systems of ceremonies. The purpose of Navajo life is to maintain balance between the individual and the universe and to live in harmony with nature and the Creator. Navajos must perform their religious practices on the specific, time honored areas which they inhabit.
The souls of the dead go to another part of the universe where they have a new existence carrying on everyday activities like they were still alive. They are all just in a different world. Songs, chants, prayers, and other ceremonies, and sand paintings also form part of the complicated religious rituals, and a large body of mythology exists.
Sand paintings are used for healing ceremonies by the Navajo Medicine Men. The sand paintings were made on the floor of the tepees and hogans. The sick person was placed in the middle and a medicine man would perform the healing. It was believed that the sand would absorb the sickness and the patient would gain power to heal himself. The people of the Southwest had full-time religious leaders with shrines or temple buildings.
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