In EASTERN BODY, WESTERN MIND, chakra authority Anodea Judith brought a fresh approach to the yoga-based Eastern chakra system, adapting it to the Western framework of Jungian psychology, somatic therapy, childhood developmental theory, and metaphysics. This groundbreaking work in transpersonal psychology has been revised and redesigned for a more accessible presentation. Arranged schematically, the book uses the inherent structure of the chakra system as a map upon which to chart our Western understanding of individual development. Each chapter focuses on a single chakra, starting with a description of its characteristics, then exploring its particular childhood developmental patterns, traumas and abuses, and how to heal and maintain balance. Illuminated with personal anecdotes and case studies, EASTERN BODY, WESTERN MIND seamlessly merges the East and West, science and philosophy, and psychology and spirituality into a compelling interpretation of the chakra system and its relevance for Westerners today.Revised edition of the groundbreaking New Age book that seamlessly integrates Western psychology and the Eastern chakra system, including a new introduction from the author.Applies the chakra system to important modern social realities and issues such as addiction, codependence, family dynamics, sexuality, and personal empowerment.Previous edition has sold more than 55,000 copies.
Chakra psychoanalysis As the subtitle suggests, this book gives a psychological analysis of each of the 7 major chakras. There are 55 pages devoted to each chakra, covering the meaning of its color, its issues, the age of its manifestation, its traumas, character, excesses, deficiencies and how to balance it by resolving its psychological issues. In addition, there are 10 supplemental charts summarizing the various characteristics of the 7. The book is more analytical than spiritual, more doctrinal than experiential and more dry than emotional.The 3 things I found mildly useful were the summary charts, its perspective of being able to blend East and West and its ease of reference by being well organized and summarized. At best, an occasionally useful secondary reference. Well suited for a psychologist looking for a new angle. Not well suited for someone looking for spiritual growth.
Not what I’d hoped for. I was looking for something that would relate elements of eastern metaphysical philosophy to more familiar western concepts in order to make the former more accessible, particularly the connection between body/mind/spirit. This is not that book. Instead, it is composed of the author’s own elaborate theories on how social influences encountered early in life result in lingering issues that impact specific chakras. She appears to have synthesized her theories by combining her own considerable suppositions with a lot of pop developmental psychology, a profoundly speculative body of theory unto itself, and many of her claims are in conflict with modern neuroscience concerning the impressionable stages of brain development. It’s no secret that despite the profusion of psychological and spiritual theory that has been hatched over the last half-century, most reliable indicators show that Americans are, in fact, less “well” than they were before. This author’s theories are spun from…
Profound – And Needed 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…