| Summary: | When healing ceremonies are observed cross-culturally, it is apparent that, despite differences in geography, economics, environment, and culture, there are many common features. These include body language that promotes altruistic behavior; the use of physical touch, which has a calming effect and provides a sense of well-being; the offering of an etiological explanation of the illness, which relieves guilt in family and close associates; the use of hypnotic behaviors, which, by altering consciousness, promote an openness to new ways of looking at the illness and actions to rectify it; and the healer's invocation of a higher power, which encourages sick persons to have faith in the healer's healing power. Commonalties such as these support the hypothesis that there are basic biological and cultural evolutionary processes that contribute to the healing process.
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