Eastern Body, Western Mind: Psychology and the Chakra System as a Path to the Self (Paperback)

by Judith Anodea (Author) "When Mary walked into my office, the pain in her body was palpable, yet she was unaware of it..." (more)
Key Phrases: chakra excess, deficient first chakra, deficient chakra, New York, Rainbow Bridge, Alice Miller (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Judith (Sevenfold Journey, LJ 4/1/93), a healer, elucidates the chakra system and how it shapes and is shaped by human behavior. The seven chakras, or human biocomputer, are located at various levels of our bodies. The chakras start with survival (at the base of the spine), followed by sexuality (lower back), power (solar plexus), love (heart area), communication (throat), intuition (brow), and cognition (crown). Giving an understanding of the chakras and their corresponding psychological character, Judith then invites the reader to explore multidimensional healing processes to bring the chakras into balance. To provide illustrations of practical applications, she offers personal stories. Although her book contains a lot of information, it is user-friendly, allowing the reader to view pertinent chapters through the use of subtitles and reference charts. Like Rickie Moore's Goddess in My Shoes (Humanics, 1988), this work would be popular in New Age collections.?L. Kriz, West Des Moines Lib., Iowa
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
Rather than presenting an esoteric borrowing from Indian culture, Judith employs the metaphoric language of the chakra system within the context of modern psychology. Her clear organization and numerous charts make browsing for subjects of personal relevance a breeze, and her comparison of the various maps of psychological development (Freudian, Piagetian, Eriksonian, Reichian, and others) is intriguing. The book provides a useful tool for contemplating our strengths, weaknesses, and appropriate approaches to growth. -Yoga Journal". . . [S]parkles with insight. Spiritual seeker, client, and therapist alike will find treasures here."-PanGaia magazine

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Product Details

• Paperback: 502 pages
• Publisher: Celestial Arts (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0890878153
• ISBN-13: 978-0890878156
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #393,173 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #25 in	Books > Nonfiction > Philosophy > Eastern > Indian
  #79 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Hinduism > Chakras

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A map of the human psyche, January 24, 2000

By A Customer

I loved this book - I found so much of myself in it, it was scary! I really think she has found a way to map the human spirit - and gives gentle encouragement and exercises to assist in healing any parts that have been blocked or damaged. Anyone who is even mildly interested in the Chakras (or even looking to deepen a yoga experience) should consider this book.

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound - And Needed, June 15, 2005

By	Robert Samuel White "rswfire.com" (Lexington, Kentucky, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Eastern Body, Western Mind: Psychology and the Chakra System As a Path to the Self (Paperback)

I have to say, this author knows her stuff.

As I've learned from reading many of her books, she has long had a history of studying the chakra system. Through personal experience, she has adapted some of the esoteric systems with her own style, which are discussed more fully within her books.

This book in particular is an important one. In our culture, we all suffer abuses of some kind or another, even abuses we probably wouldn't consider abuse. Take noise pollution for example - it's a real assault on your senses, although we drown it out and let our body deal with the consequences.

But this book deals with the heavier stuff too - relationship issues, physical or sexual abuse, eating disorders, mental imbalances, whatever it may be, it's probably covered in this book. And what I have noticed is this author really knows what she's talking about - she provides insights I have not heard come from anyone else in my entire life.

I strongly encourage this book to everyone, regardless of who you are. This is a book for humanity.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read, can't put it down, September 14, 1999

By A Customer

This book clearly summarizes the chakra energy systems and links them to psychological information that is incredibly useful and insightful. I can't say enough good things about this book.....it is very illuminating and the author has put an enormous amount of work into the research. It is easily read, thought provoking and her charts of the different personality types and what causes the different types to develop as a result of childhood trauma is very well done.... I found this book to be inspiring and extremely well written.