There is something simple about this therapeutic approach that I really like. It a feeling of calmness, that feeling you get when you take a deep breath and let it all go, although yes that does seem too simple. The fundamental principle behind ACT lies with the way it helps to reframe our thoughts. It gives us the tools to do what matters and leaves behind what doesn’t matter. This modality works well with Indigenous healing, because doing what matters helps us to find balance, like a “primary directive” of the Sacred Hoop. It is also accomplished through an Indigenous World View of non-interference. 

This is why In mainstream society, or what is known as “Western society”, we can understand this from the same basic principles of those Indigenous Traditional teachings. What does it mean to be present, centred, open and a part of the world around you? What are your values? if you don’t know them, how do you find them so you can find meaning and direction in your life? An example of this would be how you might have enjoyed doing crafts all the time, well maybe not all the time, but certainly you enjoyed doing them a lot. But then, you moved away from doing crafts by delaying and just plain avoiding doing it, and you didn’t know why you stopped. Well, the reason might be caused by what is known in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy  as  – experiential avoidance.  So, why keep trying to control things you cannot control,  why not use acceptance as a different way to manage and live your life? What do you have to lose?