In many shamanic societies, if you came to a shaman or medicine man complaining of being disheartened, dispirited, or depressed, they would ask one of four questions.
Where we have stopped dancing, singing, being enchanted by stories, or finding comfort in silence is where we have experienced the loss of soul.
Dancing, singing, storytelling, and silence are the four universal healing salves.
Source Notes / Commentary
A popular online anecdote, often un-attributed, this little piece of wisdom is actually from the book “The Four-Fold Way: Walking the Paths of the Warrior, Teacher, Healer, and Visionary“, by Angeles Arrien.