Eastern Body, Western Mind

Psychology and the Chakra System as a Path to the Self

By: Anodea Judith

Narrated by: Laura Jennings

Length: 16 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

In Eastern Body, Western Mind, chakra authority Anodea Judith has 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.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2004 Anodea Judith (P)2016 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"Judith . . . Invites the reader to explore multidimensional healing processes to bring the chakras into balance. . . . User-friendly, allowing the reader to view pertinent chapters through the use of subtitles and reference charts." ( Library Journal)

Narration a challenge, the material, excellent

The breathy urgency of the narrator is hard to get past, but the material is excellent.

Anodea should narrate this audiobook.

I know this is a great book but I would much prefer Anodea to narrate the audio version herself. I’m not able to get over this performance as it is read in an overly dramatic fashion as if it were some form of fiction and I can’t take it seriously. This is frustrating as I love Anodea’s work and I know the content of this and all her other works are pure magic.

Amazingly, insightful. One of those books that can be read over and over

Anode a Judith's deep knowledge of both the chakras and developmental psychology, combines wonderfully to bring metaphysical concepts, down to earth and something we can tangibly work with.
A book , which each chapter, opened up many insights and showed up connections that make perfect sense. An amazing book both for seekers and helpers, guides.
The reading is also extremely pleasant

WARNING: contains life changing wisdom and insight

After the completion of this book, I am listening to it again. The content is at some points harsh, yet necessary for spiritual growth and insight. It provoked many buried-forgotten emotions and memories. I suggest establishing a confidential, supporting friend or group. This is not a journey I would venture alone. Some parts are slow, but it is well worth a focused listen. I listened to it on my nature walks, which added a quality of wonder and a theme to go by each day. Happy reading!

Interesting Content, Poor Narration

I’m truly surprised by the difficulty I had in listening to this audiobook. The content is interesting, although a little bit hard to follow at times. The narration makes it extremely difficult to listen to, as the near raider‘s voice is a bit monotone and very breathy. I wish it was near rated by a different person, I think it would have been more interesting.

Great book. Very thorough.

Great listen. I recommend listening from start to finish before jumping deep into one chapter (chakra), as they feed on each other.

There are better books

The narrator's voice didn't help the subject matter. I just could get myself to continue reading. I've tried several times.
The writing is all over the place. From sharing random client stories, to flowery language, I personally couldn't connect. Oftentimes, the text rambles and ceases to make a point.

The reader consistantly mispronounced words.

This would have been a much better listen Anodea Judith had read it. I have taken several classes with her and she knows how to correctly articulate Sanskrit. The reader should have checked in on certain words made it difficult to listen. Thank Goodness I have the hard copy at home.

Her voice sounds robotic

I want to enjoy listening to this book as I am studying it for a 300 hour yoga teacher training, however, the tone of her voice is very robotic, unpleasant and distracting. Don't buy this Audible. Just buy the book and read it yourself.

Life Changer

I am new to this world of spirituality, having been raised Christian but finding no meaningful connection in that religion at all. I am open minded and also a Psychology major which helped in my ability to follow some concepts. I found myself assessing and being able to identify patterns in my life. It is a book for healing where patience is required. I will listen to and read the physical book over and over in the future to grasp its concepts with more depth. Powerful book indeed!

The most complete and insightful piece of work

What did you like most about Eastern Body, Western Mind?

While I never really write a review, I feel compelled to do so for this Audio book. Anodea has gathered a mountain of experience and knowledge on the Chakra and psychotherapy work which opens an entire world on how to get to know and heal the self. This book is more extensive than her other work, The Chakra System (which was also inspiring to listen to)

What did you like best about this story?

What I like best is that in this time where everyone is seeking enlightenment through following a guru and actually going outside themselves, Anodea tries to bring us back to ground ourselves first, to take a good look inside at our own inner wisdom and slowly work our way up through our chakra's and issues in a way that is completely understandable.

What aspect of Laura Jennings’s performance might you have changed?

At first I was disappointment that Anodea wasn't narrating her own work, like she does brilliantly in her other audiobook, The Chakra System. I found Laura Jennings voice much detached from the material and sometimes not pleasant to listen to. However, further along into the book she seems to get more feeling for the material and you get used to her voice.
So, although it's not as good as Anodea, I wouldn't want to miss this work because of a different person reading the material.

Any additional comments?

If you want to change your life, or help others heal theirs, listen to this amazingly comprehensive work!

This book is amazing

The only thing that could have been better is that the author should allways speak the audiobook. It makes such a difference.

Great book, awful narrator

Was really looking forward to this but unfortunately had to return as the author just sounds anxious and urgent.

Excellent!

Really enjoyed this exquisite peace of writing, very informative, clearly expressed ideas and valueble resource for understanding, feeling and working with chakra system.

great book

it is a great book. only if you want to practice some excercises from it you may need a hard copy. enjoy

Cumbersome and not helpful

Too much information, very focused on the past and a bit muddled. Difficult to take away messages from it.

really enjoyed learning more

about everything spiritual. just found the narrator talked too fast so was hard to take information in properly. I had to slow it down to 0.75 speed to enjoy properly

Absolutely Brilliant!

This book has changed my life! Thank you Anodea Judith for writing this book. God bless x

Eyes opening book

Loved this book. Definetly will be listening to it again. So many valuable information and exercises. Highly recommend.

Deep insights into the Chakras

This book was certainly detailed and provided a wealth of insight into the human affect. It did get a bit ‘Ethereal’ when discussing the crown chakra but I guess that is to be expected. It’s not a short read, so set aside a good portion of time to get through it and you are sure to get a lot of of it.