Customer Reviews

A Chakra & Kundalini Workbook: Psycho-Spiritual Techniques for Health, Rejuvenation, Psychic Powers & Spiritual Realization

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is not your traditional yoga book. But it is to be treasured for that very reason. The author has all the exercises of yoga but not in the usual sense. For instance, in hatha yoga one need not perform bending and twisting exercises to get the same benefits of the authors version of hatha yoga which is meditation on accupressure points. According to Esoteric physiology, the body has main chakras and many minor ones which are energy centers. Each of these chakras confers either psychic powers, health benefits or other gifts when awakened. Mumfords version of hatha and raja yoga show how to awaken these energy centers and attain the highest goal of yoga which is nirvana or Godhead. The book is easy to follow and practice. The section on tantra does not need a physical partner, since it is axiomatic in occult studies that the same benefits are gained by practicing the excercises in the imagination alone. An excellent book for the novice as well as expert yogi.

I have had this book now for five years and I am still amazed at the depth of the material contaned within. I would say for the aspiring Yoga and Tantra student this book is an absolute must.
The contents take the student progressively through lineage Indian teachings that get more interesting and enlightening as we make our journey through the book.
Some of the practices are so subtle that I am still in awe when I pick it up.
I just want to clear up a couple of things, KUNDALINI IS NOT DANGEROUS!!
It is akin to saying our nervous system is dangerous!! There is much misinformation written about Yoga and Tantra, started off mostly by Christian or Muslim fundamentalists who don't want us to become enlightened, as we wouldn't be able to be controlled or manipulated.
Another thing is, Inner work is not selfish. It is by far the best service we can do for the universe. To make ourselves happy, loving and aware, through practices such as these means we actually have something to give. Otherwise we would just be horrible, meddling, fundamentalists with nothing better to do than impose our profound ignorance and loathing onto others. Americans really should be embarressed by some of these reviews. For some people reading this I apologise for boring you with what is basically common sense.
Lastly, you do not need a guru to practice these teachings! Dr. Jonn Mumford is one of the only genuine teachers of Indian metaphysics the West has ever had. He is extremely careful in the way he teaches through his books.
If there are any aspiring students of Yoga and Tantra out there who would like to take the subject to it's limit he offers personal guidance in Kriya Yoga and many other things on-line.

This book is a bit complicated and rather intense, but not impossible. I would only recommend it for those who seriously want to pursue the exercises in the book; those who are not particularly interested in setting aside the necessary time probably shouldn't bother.

Man, this book is great. John Mumfords light hearted writeing style is very comforting. His progression from step to step is pragmatic. While at the same time he takes you deep into a few practices that have the potential of being very profound. It will probably be a year before I actually finish this book, but then I take everything extra slow so as to be able to retain perspective and gauge my experiences. It probably wouldn't take that long for everyone, but anyone who doesn't currently have a teacher, or can't AFFORD one, would be smart to take it slow. Not that this is a dangerous book, Mumford only gives enough info to get so far, and issues, if any, would come up in the first few exercies, and could be dealt with productively. The only reason it didn't get a five is he kind of left me hangin, and wanting more to feed my buddhi(intelect), but I am sure it is all for the best of the student. Because of this book I am planning on taking the ICC he is offering, which I was a little skeptic of when I first read about it, but I can only hope it is as interesting as this book, and provides me more interesting info and exercises.

Even though I do not currently practice the methods explicitly outlined in this manual, they have stayed with me ever since I was first introduced to them. I have since changed my methods and motives from the Yoga and Samkhya influenced traditions as outlined in this book. I would simply like to emphasize that the benefits of performing these exercises are both physiologically and psychologically stimulating. I most definitely recommend all of his materials for there practical value.

Dr. John Mumford manages to give clear techniques for both advanced and beginner students in this book. With his backround knowledge in psychology he introduces yoga and its philosophy to a westerner like never before. I think that the book is under-rated here. However, importance lies down in actual practice and a serious student can see progress when he applies 12 week program. I recommend it to anyone who is a practitioner not a collector.

Original, clear, practical, deep - what more could you want? Each sentence bears the mark of being the fruit of many years` study and experience. Highly recommended - one of the very books that can actually be used for safe self-exploration in these areas.

An extremely well-equipped book that lets you follow a structured course of meditations to allow you to increase your spiritual sense. Some very good techniques are presented in the weekly exercises that form as a good foundation into the world of meditation. These techniques will open your psychic centres and help you master your energy work. Highly recommended.

Put together in a logical, progressive order- and I've found the exercise routine sound. A book about doing, not a book about theory: a good book.

I'm sorry, but I really didn't enjoy this particular book. While it is obvious that Dr. Mumford is indeed of high intellect and sure conviction, his writing style is far too jam-packed with hard-to-grasp concepts that do not bear out or unfold clearly. As someone ravenously interested in Kundalini, I have for some time been seeking Western medicinal validation vis-a-vis books such as this, and as a result, with this book in particular, I was disappointed.

I believe in the "serpent power" of Kundalini, in that I feel it is an actual energy force that resides in all of us. I believe, in addition, that there are serious meditations and exercises one can undertake that will "awaken" or arouse this particular energy. However, as a Christian (though admittedly esoteric in inclination), I was put off by the constant equating of these scientific energies and forces with goddesses and gods that do not ring true to me.

If Dr. Mumford had talked more in lay terms, and had stayed with a more scientific, methodical unfolding of information, I would have most assuredly enjoyed this work much more.