Eastern Body Western Mind

Wed, 17 Sep 2014 21:00:30 GMT

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

Book Being Reviewed:
Anodea, J. (1996).Eastern body western mind: Psychology and the chakra system as a path to the self. Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts.

Reviewer:
Connie Fox

Genre:
Spirituality

Subject Headings:
Alternative therapies

Review:
Most of us struggle to live embodied lives, present and grounded in our flesh and tissue. Whether through trauma or everyday stress many disconnect or dissociate from their bodies. During the past few decades, Westerners have taken a greater interest in the wisdom of Eastern philosophies and holistic practices. Ancient Hindu and Buddhist approaches emphasize the unification and grounding of mind and body as a way to achieve mindfulness, or deeper spiritual experiences. This book integrates ancient Eastern wisdom about the seven energy centers (chakras) in the body with Western developmental psychology. Eastern beliefs see our bodies as conduits, channelling energy between the material world (Mother Earth) and the spiritual realm. According to this philosophy, traumas and abuses can result in energy blockage(s) in one or more of the seven chakra areas resulting in physical illness. Disease and physical ailments can signal us to look more closely at the ways that energy has become blocked in different chakra centers.

Many of my clients are struggling with body image and disordered eating issues. While bridging Western psychology with Easter philosophy and holistic practice wouldn’t sit well with all, there seems to be a pleasantly growing awareness and openness in my clients to "re-member” and seek unification of mind, body, and spirit. Judith’s work is filled with intriguing information that can help us understand why we are ungrounded while suggesting physical and psychological exercises to loosen our bound energy and heal our bodies and souls.

Originally posted on 8/26/2008 at csi-net.org