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Reviews
Eastern Body, Western Mind: Psychology and the Chakra System As a Path to the Self by Anodea Judith
bookfairy99's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this up, but I'd heard the title mentioned frequently, and I was excited to dive into such a meaty tome on the subject. Knowing next to nothing about the chakra system when I opened to the first page, I expected to be immersed in information--and boy, was I ever! To say the writing is dense would be a complete understatement. It's esoteric, detailed, and sometimes painfully informative; as though the author wanted to make sure nothing escaped mention and decided to cram every bit of info even remotely related to the topic into the 500+ pages of the book.
Having said that, I quite enjoyed Judith's approach to explaining the chakra system, but I could never quite sink into the book. I had to read many pages repeatedly just to make sure I understood what the author was trying to say (and sometimes I had to give up after repeated readings that just weren't making the topic any clearer).
I did, however, particularly enjoy the focus on a psychological approach to the chakras. And, as a mother to a feisty 5-year old, I felt that the sections on childhood development as viewed through the various chakras were particularly illuminating and well-developed.
This is definitely a book that will find a permanent spot on my reference shelf.
Having said that, I quite enjoyed Judith's approach to explaining the chakra system, but I could never quite sink into the book. I had to read many pages repeatedly just to make sure I understood what the author was trying to say (and sometimes I had to give up after repeated readings that just weren't making the topic any clearer).
I did, however, particularly enjoy the focus on a psychological approach to the chakras. And, as a mother to a feisty 5-year old, I felt that the sections on childhood development as viewed through the various chakras were particularly illuminating and well-developed.
This is definitely a book that will find a permanent spot on my reference shelf.
katrinadreamer's review against another edition
5.0
Loving it so far. The author is right on the money as far as my symptoms and issues and how they relate to each chakra.
I enjoyed this just as much the second time and am going to add it to my home collection. 2/23/16
I enjoyed this just as much the second time and am going to add it to my home collection. 2/23/16
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
Western white ladies love calling Eastern philosophy "woo woo" but this book is a reminder that the things western folks believe in in psychology and call scientifically sound actually comes from Eastern philosophy from centuries ago. (I have a huge problem with the word "woo woo" and other hand-waving belittling of anything outside of a Western Scientific Method of Belief, if that weren't clear).
This book is a slow read and one that is fabulous. A great look at the chakra system, as well as how western psychology slots right into what has been known and believed and practiced and followed for a long, long time.
I annotated the heck out of this and cannot wait to return to it again and again for reference. It's readable and approachable.
This book is a slow read and one that is fabulous. A great look at the chakra system, as well as how western psychology slots right into what has been known and believed and practiced and followed for a long, long time.
I annotated the heck out of this and cannot wait to return to it again and again for reference. It's readable and approachable.
abbythompson's review against another edition
5.0
It is as difficult to reduce this book to a short review as it is to try and explain how the chakras work. In this book, Judith taken on each chakra, identifying the strengths, weaknesses, excesses, deficiencies, and ways to open each one. Using modern psychology with ancient philosophy, she also clarifies how one can live a connected, spiritual life in contemporary society. As someone who has struggled recently with balancing spirituality with modern beliefs and values, it was validating to hear that giving up attachment isn't actually the way to achieve enlightenment. There are healthy attachments and responsibilities that we need in order to operate at our highest level.
If you are at all interested in psychology, psychotherapy, the chakras, eastern thought, philosophy, or are just looking for a way to better understand yourself, this is an excellent book for providing insight and safe exploration.
If you are at all interested in psychology, psychotherapy, the chakras, eastern thought, philosophy, or are just looking for a way to better understand yourself, this is an excellent book for providing insight and safe exploration.
mayaday's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. orientalist title is emblematic of other problems: citation problems and general lack of acknowledgment of where these systems of knowledge come from. BUT i got a lot out of this book!! its been helpful to include somatic practices into my understanding of mental wellbeing.
readsbyal's review against another edition
5.0
An in-depth, powerful read for those looking to delve deep into the chakra system and how it affects our daily lives, especially with our thoughts, feelings, psychology, and certain physical tendencies. As a yoga teacher, this book is invaluable to me.
anatomydetective's review against another edition
2.0
I spent a lot of time with this book and then spent some more struggling with what to make of it. Ultimately I felt it tried really hard to force two disparate systems together and it didn't work well for either one. Coming from a Western psychology background I worry that much was lost from the Eastern though to force it into am unnecessary Western framework.