Eastern Body, Western Mind: Psychology and the Chakra System As a Path to the Self

I finally finished reading Eastern Body Western Mind by Anodea Judith. As I am a realist and an empiricist, this book appealed to me because it dives deep into the connections of Western psychology and Eastern philosophy. Each chapter was incredible, with many 'a-ha' moments where the murky became clear and epiphanies of greater universal understanding abounded. This is a great book, but not exactly an easy read. I would place it at the Masters level of college texts, as it is packed with powerful citations backed by sound research. It is a generally accepted fact that roughly 85% of Americans grow up in a dysfunctional family with experiences of abuse or neglect, which means that this book applies to 85% of you who are reading this post. It is the sum of our life experiences that form who we are and the patterns we live by. If your patterns aren't working for you and you keep finding that you often make the same life mistakes that leave you unhappy, unfulfilled and starting over, it definitely warrants a deeper look into personal healing. If you have anything in your life that you feel is giving you trouble and you feel stuck on, I highly suggest reading this book, but again it is not an easy read. Even with my advanced educational level and ability to comprehend complex subject matter, I found it to be a challenging read because is it not a passive activity. Once the words are read, the brain goes to work. Eastern Body Western Mind is not just a book to read, it is a 'work book' for healing the soul's wounds accumulated over a life time; learning how to live in a healthier, more balanced and self loving way. The content is so tightly packed and so powerfully written that I found I had to take a lot of time after reading each chapter to digest the information, considering how it might apply to my life experiences and traumas as I moved towards recovery. With each chapter, you work through deep wounds that surface and emotional healing work takes time. However, it is well worth the time investment and much less expensive than years of weekly therapy that never seem to 'cure' you because if you are cured, the therapist looses a client. There is something powerful about yoga and Vedic philosophies. Once you release and let go of things in a healthy way, they don't return to haunt you, they are truly gone and you can proudly stand up to say, "I AM HEALED!". This ONE BOOK, was more useful to me in helping to resolve my own internal issues than all the western psychology that has been offered to me combined in my life time. With this book, I was able to take my recovery into my own hands and heal in my own way. The book took me more than 6 months to read because each chapter brought up so many issues I thought I had already processed and dealt with. I may have, but never so deeply and mindfully with a focus on healing myself as a whole; body, soul, mind and spirit. After reading this book, I am now able to both ground myself and tap into universal connectivity and consciousness for limitless possibilities. I can pull that universal energy down through my chakras to manifest anything I can conceive of. I worked on the areas that needed attention with a new awareness. I know where I still need to keep working. I also know that now it is time to get out into the world and start using my new knowledge to connect, to grow, to expand and to love again. #Love and the heart are where everything meets and more growth becomes possible. I have made some massive changes in my life that I never thought possible 2 years ago, or even a year ago. Each day I become a better person. Each day I am more healed. It has been emotionally rough and all consuming at times, but I am glad that I put so much effort into seeking out my own way of healing and recovery. In finishing the book, I feel like I have reached the top of a big mountain of s*** that I can now flush, like a toilet, back down into the earth beneath me, which acts as fertilizer for the trees and the earth that grounds me at a higher altitude of existence than I have ever experienced before. I have leveled the playing field onto higher ground, raising myself up and learning in the process what it really means to "let go of what no longer serves you". Because of Eastern Body Western Mind, I now understand myself differently, I understand others differently, I understand the world differently and I understand the universe differently. I have traversed through the depths of massive multiple traumas and grief, emerging from what seemed to be an endless tunnel of dark emotional pain, into a new light of being and a healthier way of living. It is my greatest hope that others in the world read this book and find their own way of healing and transforming; moving from darkness into the light and sadness into the happiness of enlightened living in a purposeful way. ~ Namaste ~

Omgoodness‼️ What a PHENOMENAL book 💯❤️‼️ Highly recommend 👌 This book explains everything thoroughly and very interestingly and how to heal and the fact that each one of us, no matter how well the early years going forward, are imbalanced in some way and can benefit greatly from healing ✨️ Also, one of the reviews mentioned that this book does not provide how to heal. This is NOT true. Perhaps, they didn't read the entire book or understand it, because throughout the book it does explain how to heal. Although, it's not a how to book, it's very beneficial in understanding all about it, which is very important and vital to know before doing any healing. The book stresses how very important it is to know exactly what BEFORE you do anything because it could be not what you particularly need to do AND it is also recommended that depending on what is going on you must work with a professional. This book is very informative and can help you understand. Plus, she writes in a very interesting way and in a way that is easy to understand

My absolutely favorite book on chakras! Yes, I disagree with author in some minor regards, so reading this requires a bit of discernment (just like any reading, to be honest). Just take what resonates with you and you will benefit from this book immensely. But also, I agree with many things in this book, that are not necessarily in line with traditional teachings, but strictly in line with my own spiritual experiences. I went through Kundalini awakening, so I understand how even traditional Kundalini and energy teachings are distorted and biased. So this book addresses these biases pretty effectively. This book is incredibly helpful in detecting your chakra imbalances, their roots and fixing them. Great work!

Excellent for an open mind

my reiki teacher recommended us to read and now i'm reading the 2nd time. this is nice, practical and highly recommended for everyone who are interested in Chakra but more into psycology's way.

"Eastern Body, Western Mind: Psychology and the Chakra System As a Path to the Self" by Anodea Judith is a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between Eastern spirituality and Western psychology. This book offers a comprehensive and insightful guide to understanding the chakra system as a means of self-discovery and personal growth. Anodea Judith skillfully bridges the gap between two seemingly disparate worlds, drawing on her extensive knowledge of both Eastern and Western traditions. Here's a review of the book: **Pros:** 1. **In-Depth Exploration:** The book provides a thorough examination of the chakra system, explaining each chakra's significance, characteristics, and the psychological and emotional aspects associated with them. This depth of exploration makes it a valuable resource for both beginners and those familiar with chakras. 2. **Integration of Psychology:** Judith effectively integrates Western psychological concepts, such as developmental psychology and psychotherapy, with the chakra system. This integration offers readers a practical and holistic approach to personal development and healing. 3. **Practical Exercises:** The book includes numerous exercises and meditations tailored to each chakra, allowing readers to apply the teachings in their daily lives. These exercises are clear and well-structured, making them accessible to a wide range of individuals. 4. **Balanced Perspective:** Anodea Judith maintains a balanced and grounded perspective throughout the book. She encourages readers to approach the chakra system with both curiosity and critical thinking, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness. **Cons:** 1. **Complexity:** Some readers may find the depth of information and the integration of Eastern and Western concepts challenging to grasp, especially if they are new to these topics. However, this complexity is necessary for a thorough understanding of the subject matter. 2. **Lengthy Read:** The book is relatively long and densely packed with information. Readers looking for a quick overview of chakras may find it overwhelming. In summary, "Eastern Body, Western Mind" is a remarkable work that successfully combines Eastern spiritual wisdom with Western psychological insights. It serves as an excellent resource for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of themselves, their emotions, and their personal growth journey through the lens of the chakra system. While it may require commitment due to its depth, the potential for self-discovery and transformation makes it a worthwhile read for those interested in the intersection of spirituality and psychology.

Older book and still reads as if it was written yesterday.

It took me a little over five years to read this book. I'd start it, get through a few pages and, mind blown, I'd set it down and life would get too busy to pick it up again. However, I think that was OK. Between the pandemic and the crumbling of my marriage, I found myself unemployed and in poor health but with lots of time on my hands. So, I spent about three months slowly working my way through this book, taking notes in my journal. This book explains everything. If you're looking for answers, they are here. I love that near the beginning, the author clarifies that this type of chakra journey isn't necessarily for everyone, but the fact that you've picked up this book and taken the first step in curiosity about it shows that you're already on the journey, and that it might be the right journey for you. I'm not a psychology expert, but being a victim of abuse I have been eagerly trying to learn everything I can about human behavior and what could cause a person to abuse another person. I have also been curious about why certain types of people tend to fall victim to abuse more often than others. This book took me on a very deep personal journey, but also gave me insight into reasons why other people in my life are the way they are. Don't misinterpret me — the book is not designed to diagnose, but to encourage awareness. Embarking on a practice of being aware of details in our daily lives can help us move from being controlled by our subconscious to living truly in a conscious state. Again, this book is not for everyone, but if you are curious, I would highly recommend it. And don't plan on plowing through it really quickly. If you're like me, you will want to savor, reread and copy down passages for further reflection to really get the most out of it. I'm absolutely a renewed person after having read this book.

Great book. Bringing worlds together.

Me gustó mucho el contenido del libro, pero el tiempo de entrega es largo.

Must read for inner work and healers. Am a fan!

Bought it on a recommended, brilliant book, very down to earth language and explanations. Easy to understand complex subjects. I'm more familiar with the meridians than Chakras, well i was until I read this book! Very enlightening, I've already recommended it to friends.

Amazing book ! Everything you need and want to know about the chakras!