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Beauty Way

The Navajo term "Beauty Way" or alternatively, "Walking in Beauty," is derived from Hózhó, the traditional Navajo word for the concept of living in a wholistic environment of beauty, balance, harmony, and well-being. The Beauty Way is an indigenous Navajo practice and ecological or 'eco-sophical' worldview (compare ecosophy) for being aware and attuned to the essence of Beauty. Thus it goes beyond but includes attending to particular forms of 'the beautiful' or to superficial notions of aesthetics. Rather, the Beauty Way is more wholistic and includes skilled practices of awareness, intention, community, spiritual practice, and ceremony. 'Walking the Beauty Way' is the action of living harmoniously with all of Life as it is unfolding; to live in harmony with the Divine, with the natural world, with our own self, with our loved ones, and with our communities. Adapted from the post by Marti Beddoe, October 23, 2017 at https://martibeddoe.com/blog/2017/10/23/what-is-hozho-what-is-the-beauty-way/

"In Beauty I Walk: The Navajo Way to Harmony" is a Berkeley Media documentary produced by Sheri Brenner (28 min. color, 2002). Set amid the stunning environs of Arizona’s rugged Canyon de Chelly, this fascinating documentary explores traditional Navajo Indian spiritual practices and thought. The film examines Navajo art, cosmology, and culture and illustrates how the traditional way of life, called “walking in beauty,” seeks to replicate the innate order and harmony of the universe within each individual. The film features Navajo medicine man Johnson Dennison, Navajo philosopher Harry Walters, and noted anthropologist Peter Gold.“ In Beauty I Walk” will stimulate thought and discussion in a wide array of courses in Native American studies, cultural anthropology, comparative religion, and philosophy. It was produced by Sheri Brenner.

Reviews

“This outstanding film is a valuable resource for anyone interested in culture and philosophy, and it is sure to become a classic in its field. It presents an overview of Navajo Indian cosmology concisely and elegantly, and emphasizes the importance of the four sacred directions at the macrocosmic and microcosmic levels. Similarly, it relates the importance of the Navajo sense of place for the centering of one´s moral, spiritual, and social being. The film´s approach is straightforward, which makes it a great resource and a fine teaching aide in various fields of cultural studies and philosophy. It is a film I will be sure to use over and over again in many of my philosophy and religion classes.” — Sean Cridland, Asst. Prof. of Philosophy, Fort Lewis College

“In the narrator´s words, ´though times have changed, the ancient patterns of life, beliefs and ceremonies continue to be observed,´ and this video´s Navajo participants, Harry Walters and Johnson Dennison, each give reasons why this should be so. The video depicts with credibility how a Navajo faces life´s challenges, which deter him from the Beauty Way, and how he has access to prayers and ceremonies so that he stays on the path of Beauty. The attentive viewer will receive a powerful message here. As the anthropologist, Peter Gold, observes in this program, the world has much to learn from the Navajo and others who have preserved their ancient ways of living.” — Grace Anna McNeley (Navajo), Humanities Faculty, Diné College https://www.berkeleymedia.com/product/in_beauty_i_walk_the_navajo_way_to_harmony/