--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Participation in the dance was entirely…" description: "\"Participation in the dance was entirely voluntary, a mental vow to worship the Mystery in this manner being expressed by a man ardently desiring the re..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f20/edward-s-curtis-51320_belief_participation-in-the-dance-was-entirely_1771606.jpg" --- # Participation in the dance was entirely voluntary, a… ![“Participation in the dance was entirely voluntary, a mental vow to worship the Mystery in this manner being expressed by a man ardently desiring the recovery of a sick relative; or surrounded by an enemy with escape apparently impossible; or, it might be, dying of hunger … since some inscrutable…” quote by Edward S. Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f20/edward-s-curtis-51320_belief_participation-in-the-dance-was-entirely_1771606.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f20/edward-s-curtis-51320_belief_participation-in-the-dance-was-entirely_1771606.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f20/edward-s-curtis-51320_belief_participation-in-the-dance-was-entirely_1771606.jpg) > “Participation in the dance was entirely voluntary, a mental vow to worship the Mystery in this manner being expressed by a man ardently desiring the recovery of a sick relative; or surrounded by an enemy with escape apparently impossible; or, it might be, dying of hunger … since some inscrutable power had swept all game from forest and prairie. Others joined in the ceremony in the hope and firm belief that the Mystery …would grant them successes against the enemy and consequent eminence at home.” [Edward S. Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-s-curtis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People join rituals seeking hope and strength when facing illness, war, or hunger, believing a mysterious power will aid them. **In simple terms:** Rituals give hope in desperate times. Key Takeaway Seek community support in crises. Themes ritual hope desperation community spirituality Mood somber reflective resilient Type cultural psychological motivational When to use this quote - war zones - family illness - food scarcity - spiritual gatherings Key Concepts collective belief psychological coping cultural tradition Questions to Reflect On - Why do people turn to mystery in hardship? - What alternatives exist for coping? A Different Perspective Rituals may not guarantee success and can be misused. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Ceremony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ceremony/) [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Firm beliefs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firm-beliefs/) [Forests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forests/) [Games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/games/) [Home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home/) [Hunger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hunger/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mystery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mystery/) [Participation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/participation/) [Recovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recovery/) [Vow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vow/) [Worship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worship/) ## Related quotes > [Poverty is easy to bear if it is only temporary, easier still if it is an entirely voluntary burden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-e-stevenson/poverty-is-easy-to-bear-if-it-is-only-temporary-easier-still-if-it-is/) [D.E. Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-e-stevenson/) > [Young persons, because of their immaturity, may not fully comprehend the consequences of their actions and should therefore benefit from less severe sanctions than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/young-persons-because-of-their-immaturity-may-not-fully-comprehend/) [Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/) > [It is my firm belief that action on the issues that matter for Africa must emerge from within Africa itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-attias/it-is-my-firm-belief-that-action-on-the-issues-that-matter-for-africa/) [Richard Attias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-attias/) > [If it were not for my firm belief in an overruling Providence, it would be difficult for me, in the midst of such complications…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/if-it-were-not-for-my-firm-belief-in-an-overruling-providence-it/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [It is my firm belief that the God of Heaven raised up the founding fathers and inspired them to establish the Constitution of this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/it-is-my-firm-belief-that-the-god-of-heaven-raised-up-the-founding/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [We may define "faith" as the firm belief in something for which there is no evidence. Where there is evidence, no one speaks of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/we-may-define-faith-as-the-firm-belief-in-something-for-which-there/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [It is my firm belief that all our lives we are preparing to be somebody or something, even if we don't do it consciously.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-anne-porter/it-is-my-firm-belief-that-all-our-lives-we-are-preparing-to-be/) [Katherine Anne Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-anne-porter/) > [For in Asia and around the world, India is not simply emerging; India has already emerged. And it is my firm belief that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/for-in-asia-and-around-the-world-india-is-not-simply-emerging-india/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [What is the special privilege of youth? It is, I think, the power of looking forward, the firm belief that the future holds something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-sitwell/what-is-the-special-privilege-of-youth-it-is-i-think-the-power-of/) [Edith Sitwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-sitwell/) > [Trust is faith that has become absolute, approved, and accomplished. When all is said and done, there is a sort of risk in faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/trust-is-faith-that-has-become-absolute-approved-and-accomplished/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [It is my firm belief that it will be in the interests of the United States, especially our economic interests, to pursue comprehensive immigration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/it-is-my-firm-belief-that-it-will-be-in-the-interests-of-the-united/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [My firm belief is that he reveals Himself daily to every human being but we shut our ears to the still small Voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/my-firm-belief-is-that-he-reveals-himself-daily-to-every-human-being/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [In the firm belief that the American public deserves a better explanation than that thus far given by the Air Force, I strongly recommend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/in-the-firm-belief-that-the-american-public-deserves-a-better/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [It is almost inevitable that our faith will be challenged. We may at times find ourselves surrounded by others and yet standing in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/it-is-almost-inevitable-that-our-faith-will-be-challenged-we-may-at/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [There are dangers in consensus: it could be an attempt to satisfy people holding no particular views about anything. ... No great party can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/there-are-dangers-in-consensus-it-could-be-an-attempt-to-satisfy/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) ## More by Edward S. Curtis > [ I want to make them \[American Indians\] live forever. It's such a big dream I can't see it all. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-s-curtis/i-want-to-make-them-american-indians-live-forever-it-s-such-a-big/) [Edward S. Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-s-curtis/) > [Fortunately, taking a picture leaves no mark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-s-curtis/fortunately-taking-a-picture-leaves-no-mark/) [Edward S. Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-s-curtis/) > [While primarily a photographer, I do not see or think photographically; hence the story of Indian life will not be told in microscopic detail,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-s-curtis/while-primarily-a-photographer-i-do-not-see-or-think-photographically/) [Edward S. Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-s-curtis/) > [To the oft-asked question, What camera or lens do you use? I can only reply I couldn't tell to save my soul - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-s-curtis/to-the-oft-asked-question-what-camera-or-lens-do-you-use-i-can-only/) [Edward S. Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-s-curtis/) > [The passing of every old man or woman means the passing of some tradition, some knowledge of sacred rites possessed by no other...consequently the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-s-curtis/the-passing-of-every-old-man-or-woman-means-the-passing-of-some/) [Edward S. Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-s-curtis/) > [For every negative that is a disappointment, there is one that is a joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-s-curtis/for-every-negative-that-is-a-disappointment-there-is-one-that-is-a-joy/) [Edward S. Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-s-curtis/) [Explore all 7 Edward S. Curtis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-s-curtis/) ## More Belief quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) > [“MIND & GRIND Self-belief and hard work can propel you past more talented peers”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamil-ali/mind-grind-self-belief-and-hard-work-can-propel-you-past-more/) [Kamil Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamil-ali/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [It took me 20 years of hard training to get the physique I have today. what you need is what i had - BELIEF…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-warren/it-took-me-20-years-of-hard-training-to-get-the-physique-i-have-today/) [Branch Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-warren/) > [“Here is a fundamental difference between the man of faith and the man of unbelief. The unbeliever is 'of the world', judges everything by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/here-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-the-man-of-faith-and-the-man/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“She herself vacillated when it came to belief. She did not particularly believe in God. Or, rather, she didn't believe in a particular God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/she-herself-vacillated-when-it-came-to-belief-she-did-not/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [“Rigid traditions capture souls prisons of spiritual thought man’s religion has captured a god grown too small and very weak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-earle/rigid-traditions-capture-souls-prisons-of-spiritual-thought-man-s/) [David W Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-earle/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [In business, as in politics, it is never easy to go against the beliefs and attitudes held by the majority. The businessman who moves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-paul-getty/in-business-as-in-politics-it-is-never-easy-to-go-against-the-beliefs/) [J. Paul Getty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-paul-getty/) > [There's no greatest moment in the arts. It's a life; it's a continuity thing. You can't have a great moment because it's spiritual. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/there-s-no-greatest-moment-in-the-arts-it-s-a-life-it-s-a-continuity/) [LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/) > [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) [Browse all 10,268 Belief quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Participation in the dance was entirely voluntary, a mental vow to worship the Mystery in this manner being expressed by a man ardently desiring the recovery of a sick relative; or surrounded by an enemy with escape apparently impossible; or, it might be, dying of hunger … since some inscrutable power had swept all game from forest and prairie. Others joined in the ceremony in the hope and firm belief that the Mystery …would grant them successes against the enemy and consequent eminence at home.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward S. 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