Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing Paperback – August 26, 1997

This book was one of the required readings I had assigned to me by my yoga teacher during my RYT500 training. I heard about Caroline Myss, but I never read any of her books. I will be honest and admit that the fact that Oprah was endorsing the book I was not into it. As one can tell, I do not believe in celebrity endorsements. But this book deserves to be mentioned and it is a valuable read for anyone and everyone interested in holistic healing, alternative medicine, intuitive medicine and energy channeling.

In one way this book is almost a comparative religious study on spiritual healings associated with Jewish mysticism, Christianity and Hinduism. One learns from this book how different cultures over centuries long period came across same conclusion - that there are 7 major energy channels in human body. Dr. Myss draws parallel meaning between all three.

Personally I am most familiar with chakra energy system. This book helped me deepen my understanding of each chakra and how they are associated with human emotions, human organs and how over time, of unbalanced they can lead to disease. I also loved the fact that this book was written in a simple language that no matter what level of background one has about energy medicine, any person can understand the message. Reference material is invaluable and in my case it will be my personal guide to reading more about this amazing topic.

After digesting this complex book and her other lectures (free on Utube) I feel two different conclusions for myself as a result: First, I think she tried very hard to SELF-empower those who are ill or needing to 're-arrange' their lives to have more fulfillment and meaning by creating a sort of 'road map' to check and heal yourself; Second, I feel she is rooted in Roman Catholicism so her 'lens for the world' goes through this filter to make sense. Although in later lectures she denies Jesus was the 'son of god' and that he was just trying to show a WAY to live, heal, and thrive....and that she doesn't want anything to do with the church and all that dogma...she tries very hard to bring Christian, Jew and Buddhist/Hindu together by drawing parallels in the 7 chakras, 7 sacraments, and the Jewish Kabbala 'tree of life'. She says she did not bring in Islam because she just didn't know enough about it--but she could have also brought in Mohammed's journey through the '7 Heavens'.

She tries to bring these paths into one format--that of showing a WAY to see yourself and the world by each 'level' or chakra's influence on us, the way we have molded our lives and bodies in response to what has 'happened' along the way, and how we keep traumas in our cells to either wreak havoc or propel us forward in life.

In that way-she makes some excellent comparisons and shares many 'stories' to illustrate her points. without the personal stories of others going through what she is teaching about in that section of the book--it would have been a VERY dry read.

She has a reputation as a no nonsense Teacher (watch her stinging comments on u-tube to people taking her workshops! She is blunt and doesn't fool around). Yet the Christian way of seeing the world is her lens--angels, etc influence her profoundly. I have come to the conclusion that her popularity is somewhat like Paramahansa Yogananda's popularity in the 1920's--he came from India and brought Yoga to the West and mixed it with Christianity--a brilliant way to get the Western mind to OPEN to new ideas. In turn, Caroline does the same, blending these three religious paths in a 'common ground' sort of way to bring her points to fruition. Namely, that WE have 'road maps' from religions all around us that have been sort of 'lost in translation' and the points--to show us a way to live in health on all levels: spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally--have been forgotten or covered up in ritual and dogma.

That is very interesting and the book takes WORK to follow the suggestions for each 'level' or chakra. To look within and figure yourself out and make changes...

She has a good grasp of healing, yet her 'system' is still too rigid for my taste. It stays within the confines of accepted religious thought--and that is its appeal to those a bit frightened to venture outside the norm. As I said--a brilliant move to get western minds to OPEN.

For those wanting to look within with a ROADMAP TO FOLLOW and figure out what's wrong with your health or life in general--it is a workbook, and a good one. I recommend her lectures on u-tube over the book however, because she HAS CHANGED HER STANCE ON HEALING SINCE THIS WAS WRITEN IN THE 1990'S. Watch her more recent lectures to see that she now acknowledges that we do NOT cause EVERYTHING in our lives-that 'acts of God' etc are just what happens...she has matured spiritually over the years. So read the bok AND watch her newer stuff to get a more balanced view. But do keep in mind where she herself is coming from. The Christian saints are her upbringings perspective so keep that in mind too.

Aloha

I had severe stomach pain for the last year. Although I have PTSD and have frequently discovered physical pain to be the result of unreleased buried energy, not organic conditions, I am always sure when something new pops up -- that it's cancer or M.S. or an ulcer. I went to an energy healer and she had me visualize my solar plexus chakra. I never did this before. Never worked with chakras. Couldn't see them. Couldn't feel them. But I visualized it, saw a big rod sticking out, asked my deceased father to remove it, which he did, and I have had no stomach pain since.

I am now a believer in the reality of chakras and this is a fantastic, inspiring book about them. It also has plenty of stories about healing, spiritual development and personal transformations as a result of crises.

Highly recommended.

Powerful & Transforming . I've read it several times and its lead me on a journey that's completely changed every aspect in my life. This has lead me to other books by her (all of which are read more than one or even twice). She's a good teacher who is passionate about her information. I once thought she was too harsh , arrogant and rough for my liking. Something inside me changed, however, (maybe the cancer diagnosis) and I just became open to everything she offers. It's a guide. This was my first book of hers. Took me 3 readings (maybe more) to grasp it. It's hard but worth it. My entire life is changed for the better. I first got it on tape through Audible (and app). Later on, I realized I needed to have the written word as well. It will take you on a journey you'll never forget. That said, one needs an open mind of acceptance. After being diagnosed with breast cancer my M.D. Referred me to a Reiki Master who's also an intuitive healer. It was she who suggested this book to me. I'

I realize some people find Caroline's delivery a little...harsh...but I hope you'll give the material a chance. I think what she has to say about the part we play in our own illness(s) is very valid. It can be painful to think that the grudges we bear, the way we allow ourselves to remain mired in pain, resentments or the past can actually create a state of illness in our bodies, but if you open your mind and think about it logically, it makes complete sense. I'm grateful that the medical community has become more willing to accept the mind-body connection we all have. 20 years ago, this was thought of as quackery. Today Dr. Oz would speak on it on his show. Caroline's book is a great book. Read it, and help protect your body and quality of life.