As our awareness of, and interaction with, diverse cultures grows, so too does the need to understand their belief systems and their definition of health better. Perhaps now more than ever, the challenges that each unique culture presents to conventional health practitioners and the underlying assumptions of Western medicine need to be examined for the well-being of the world"s people. This book seeks to do just that. By exploring a variety of belief systems and traditional healing practices from psychological, religious, spiritual, and cultural perspectives, the authors aim to encourage mutual understanding and respect among different traditions of knowledge, as well as offer resources for enhancing personal growth and mental health. Meant as a comprehensive guide, this volume covers theoretical issues, systematic descriptions, and clinical application. A diversity of cultures are also explored inside: from shamanistic healing practices in the Americas and Africa to Christian faith healing, from Buddhist concepts of well-being to traditional Islamic medicine. Each chapter endeavors to broaden our views of illness, recovery, and good health and, hopefully, inspire new practices in healing.