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Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing
Building on wisdom from Hindu, Christian, and Kaballah traditions, this comprehensive guide to energy healing reveals the hidden stresses, beliefs, and attitudes that cause illness.
Anatomy of the Spirit is the boldest presentation to date of energy medicine by one of its premier practitioners, internationally acclaimed medical intuitive Caroline Myss, one of the "hottest new voices in the alternative health/spirituality scene" (Publishers Weekly). Based on fifteen years of research into energy medicine, Dr. Myss's work shows how every illness corresponds to a pattern of emotional and psychological stresses, beliefs, and attitudes that have influenced corresponding areas of the human body.
Anatomy of the Spirit also presents Dr. Myss's breakthrough model of the body's seven centers of spiritual and physical power, in which she synthesizes the ancient wisdom of three spiritual traditions-the Hindu chakras, the Christian sacraments, and the Kabbalah's Tree of Life-to demonstrate the seven stages through which everyone must pass in the search for higher consciousness and spiritual maturity. With this model, Dr. Myss shows how you can develop your own latent powers of intuition as you simultaneously cultivate your personal power and spiritual growth.
By teaching you to see your body and spirit in a new way, Anatomy of the Spirit provides you with the tools for spiritual maturity and physical wholeness that will change your life.
Anatomy of the Spirit is the boldest presentation to date of energy medicine by one of its premier practitioners, internationally acclaimed medical intuitive Caroline Myss, one of the "hottest new voices in the alternative health/spirituality scene" (Publishers Weekly). Based on fifteen years of research into energy medicine, Dr. Myss's work shows how every illness corresponds to a pattern of emotional and psychological stresses, beliefs, and attitudes that have influenced corresponding areas of the human body.
Anatomy of the Spirit also presents Dr. Myss's breakthrough model of the body's seven centers of spiritual and physical power, in which she synthesizes the ancient wisdom of three spiritual traditions-the Hindu chakras, the Christian sacraments, and the Kabbalah's Tree of Life-to demonstrate the seven stages through which everyone must pass in the search for higher consciousness and spiritual maturity. With this model, Dr. Myss shows how you can develop your own latent powers of intuition as you simultaneously cultivate your personal power and spiritual growth.
By teaching you to see your body and spirit in a new way, Anatomy of the Spirit provides you with the tools for spiritual maturity and physical wholeness that will change your life.
302 pages, Paperback
Published August 26, 1996
About the author
Caroline Myss
162 books976 followersCaroline Myss was born on December 2, 1952 in Chicago, and grew up with her parents, and two brothers, one elder and one younger, in the Melrose Park, Illinois neighbourhood near Chicago. Caroline was raised a Catholic, and attended the Mother Guerin High School, River Grove, Illinois, run by the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana in 1974, and started her career in journalism in Chicago.
In the course of her career, she interviewed Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, M.D., the author of the famous book, On Death and Dying, which inspired her to pursue a Master's degree in theology from Mundelein College, Chicago, which she completed in 1979. She also claims to hold a Ph.D in "intuition and energy medicine", but the degree was granted by Greenwich University, a now-defunct correspondence school that was never accredited to deliver higher education awards by any recognized government accreditation authority.
She started giving medical intuitive readings in 1982 and co-founded a small New Age publishing company, Stillpoint Publishing in Walpole, New Hampshire, where she also worked as an editor in 1983, next she began consulting with holistic doctors, which in 1984, led to her extensive collaboration with Dr. Norman Shealy, an M.D. schooled at Harvard, and the founder of the American Holistic Medical Association, with whom she later co-authored, "Aids: Passageway to Transformation," in 1987, followed by "The Creation of Health: The Emotional, Psychological, and Spiritual Responses that Promote Health and Healing," in 1988. Deriving from her practice as a medical intuitive, she started writing books, in the field of energy medicine, and healing, all of which became New York Times Best Sellers.[18] Starting with Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing (1996), which overlapped seven Christian sacraments with seven Hindu chakras and the Kabbalah's Tree of Life to create a map of the human "energy anatomy"; this was followed by Why People Don't Heal and How They Can (1998), which explored the reasons people do not heal through her concept of "woundology." Her next book, Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential (2002) dealt with the issue of finding "Life Purpose," while describing Sacred Contracts as "a set of assignments that our soul had formed around before incarnation". She has since appeared on the The Oprah Winfrey Show numerous times.
By 2000, she discontinued doing private medical intuitive readings, and instead started teaching it, through her workshops, seminars, radio shows and guided tours. She tours internationally as a speaker on spirituality and mysticism, and lives in Oak Park, Illinois, near Chicago. In 2003, she started the Caroline Myss Educational Institute, with Wisdom University in San Francisco.
Her 2007 book, "Entering the Castle" draws upon the writings of Saint Teresa of Ávila, a 16th century Carmelite nun, who wrote her most important work, The Interior Castle, towards the end of her life.
In the course of her career, she interviewed Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, M.D., the author of the famous book, On Death and Dying, which inspired her to pursue a Master's degree in theology from Mundelein College, Chicago, which she completed in 1979. She also claims to hold a Ph.D in "intuition and energy medicine", but the degree was granted by Greenwich University, a now-defunct correspondence school that was never accredited to deliver higher education awards by any recognized government accreditation authority.
She started giving medical intuitive readings in 1982 and co-founded a small New Age publishing company, Stillpoint Publishing in Walpole, New Hampshire, where she also worked as an editor in 1983, next she began consulting with holistic doctors, which in 1984, led to her extensive collaboration with Dr. Norman Shealy, an M.D. schooled at Harvard, and the founder of the American Holistic Medical Association, with whom she later co-authored, "Aids: Passageway to Transformation," in 1987, followed by "The Creation of Health: The Emotional, Psychological, and Spiritual Responses that Promote Health and Healing," in 1988. Deriving from her practice as a medical intuitive, she started writing books, in the field of energy medicine, and healing, all of which became New York Times Best Sellers.[18] Starting with Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing (1996), which overlapped seven Christian sacraments with seven Hindu chakras and the Kabbalah's Tree of Life to create a map of the human "energy anatomy"; this was followed by Why People Don't Heal and How They Can (1998), which explored the reasons people do not heal through her concept of "woundology." Her next book, Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential (2002) dealt with the issue of finding "Life Purpose," while describing Sacred Contracts as "a set of assignments that our soul had formed around before incarnation". She has since appeared on the The Oprah Winfrey Show numerous times.
By 2000, she discontinued doing private medical intuitive readings, and instead started teaching it, through her workshops, seminars, radio shows and guided tours. She tours internationally as a speaker on spirituality and mysticism, and lives in Oak Park, Illinois, near Chicago. In 2003, she started the Caroline Myss Educational Institute, with Wisdom University in San Francisco.
Her 2007 book, "Entering the Castle" draws upon the writings of Saint Teresa of Ávila, a 16th century Carmelite nun, who wrote her most important work, The Interior Castle, towards the end of her life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 822 reviews
November 28, 2013
You have to be in the right time and place in your own life for this book. I read it at a time when I was actively seeking spiritual enlightenment, and this book absolutely fit the bill. My notes are copied here from 2004 - after reading my notes, I think I need to re-read this book! Wonder if I can find it in my stacks somewhere....
Spiritual healing and intuitiveness. Discusses body chakras and connectedness to spirit and health. TRUST our instincts our intuition and our dreams. Self-discovery
Full of amazing insights and information. I spent weeks reading this book - sometimes I would take 1 hour just to think about a particular passage. I've marked up many passages in the book.
Death is not the enemy - fear of death is. Healing the fear of death and dying is an aspect of the tranquillity that the human spirit is capable of achieving through the journey of becoming conscious.
Without energy you cannot support health…. If we do not like ourselves we will be incapable of making healthy decisions.
From an energy point of view, every choice that enhances our spirits strengthens our energy field; and the stronger our energy field, the fewer our connections to negative people and experiences.
Intuitive guidance means having the self-esteem to recognize that the discomfort or confusion that a person feels is actually directing him to take charge of his life and make choices that will break him out of stagnation or misery.
Few Quotes:
Sometimes the greatest act of love is to withhold judgement. Being judgemental is a spiritual error.
Remaining attached to negative events and beliefs is toxic to our minds, spirits, cell tissue and lives. Negative choices generate situations that recur in order to teach us how to make positive choices.
The sweet energy of healing pours into our energy system every time we break a fear's authority over our lives.
Spiritual healing and intuitiveness. Discusses body chakras and connectedness to spirit and health. TRUST our instincts our intuition and our dreams. Self-discovery
Full of amazing insights and information. I spent weeks reading this book - sometimes I would take 1 hour just to think about a particular passage. I've marked up many passages in the book.
Death is not the enemy - fear of death is. Healing the fear of death and dying is an aspect of the tranquillity that the human spirit is capable of achieving through the journey of becoming conscious.
Without energy you cannot support health…. If we do not like ourselves we will be incapable of making healthy decisions.
From an energy point of view, every choice that enhances our spirits strengthens our energy field; and the stronger our energy field, the fewer our connections to negative people and experiences.
Intuitive guidance means having the self-esteem to recognize that the discomfort or confusion that a person feels is actually directing him to take charge of his life and make choices that will break him out of stagnation or misery.
Few Quotes:
Sometimes the greatest act of love is to withhold judgement. Being judgemental is a spiritual error.
Remaining attached to negative events and beliefs is toxic to our minds, spirits, cell tissue and lives. Negative choices generate situations that recur in order to teach us how to make positive choices.
The sweet energy of healing pours into our energy system every time we break a fear's authority over our lives.
August 4, 2012
Some books fall into your hands at the exact right moment.
This sure did.
Even a year ago, I would have easily been turned off by a lot of the language within this. There is a lot of God talk, that at one time made me want to drink bleach rather than confront. Now I have gotten to the point that while I am not ecstatic when I see it, I do not have an immediate negative reaction.
And truthfully, that only works in my favor here, as this book has been beyond helpful in creating a path to healing, where I take control of what needs to happen and I take the responsibility rather than creating a relationship where I can blame someone/thing else if I do not heal.
And this is truly a gift. A gift. A gift. A gift.
Myss really shows how much of our world and our lives are dominated by energies. How much we are actually energy. IF this sounds amazingly new agey, she does not really approach it that way, but in a you need to eat good to get energy to do things. And if you do not eat food, you will have no energy. Then applies this though out. It makes sense.
She also discusses how when we give up energy or lose it, how we can be adversely effected by that: "If a person is able to sense intuitively that he or she is losing energy because of a stressful situation - and then acts to correct that loss of energy - then the likelihood of that stress developing into a physical crisis is reduced, if not eliminated completely."
This is basically a guide book to living a far healthier life. And while I took pages of notes and quotes away which I hope to use in helping me restore my health, the best part of this is that she has 10 questions after each chapter which force you to confront issues that most of us bury as deeply as possible.
And while I am done with the book, I am just beginning to answer those questions. And as difficult as most of them are to answer, they feel like shedding old self destructive patterns and habits. They feel like yanking away the lies we tell ourselves, thinking they make each day easier, only to create mass confusion and pandemonium.
It is not the easiest thing to read. I found myself reading some passages up to 8 times, and often having to mouth the words, just to ensure my mind was open to the plethora of new ideas. And I have plans to go back and review it in some months time, to ensure I am putting it all into action.
I would recommend it to anyone who wishes to create a more healthy space to exist in, or you know anyone sensible and who enjoys life and wants to ensure they live it to the fullest.
This sure did.
Even a year ago, I would have easily been turned off by a lot of the language within this. There is a lot of God talk, that at one time made me want to drink bleach rather than confront. Now I have gotten to the point that while I am not ecstatic when I see it, I do not have an immediate negative reaction.
And truthfully, that only works in my favor here, as this book has been beyond helpful in creating a path to healing, where I take control of what needs to happen and I take the responsibility rather than creating a relationship where I can blame someone/thing else if I do not heal.
And this is truly a gift. A gift. A gift. A gift.
Myss really shows how much of our world and our lives are dominated by energies. How much we are actually energy. IF this sounds amazingly new agey, she does not really approach it that way, but in a you need to eat good to get energy to do things. And if you do not eat food, you will have no energy. Then applies this though out. It makes sense.
She also discusses how when we give up energy or lose it, how we can be adversely effected by that: "If a person is able to sense intuitively that he or she is losing energy because of a stressful situation - and then acts to correct that loss of energy - then the likelihood of that stress developing into a physical crisis is reduced, if not eliminated completely."
This is basically a guide book to living a far healthier life. And while I took pages of notes and quotes away which I hope to use in helping me restore my health, the best part of this is that she has 10 questions after each chapter which force you to confront issues that most of us bury as deeply as possible.
And while I am done with the book, I am just beginning to answer those questions. And as difficult as most of them are to answer, they feel like shedding old self destructive patterns and habits. They feel like yanking away the lies we tell ourselves, thinking they make each day easier, only to create mass confusion and pandemonium.
It is not the easiest thing to read. I found myself reading some passages up to 8 times, and often having to mouth the words, just to ensure my mind was open to the plethora of new ideas. And I have plans to go back and review it in some months time, to ensure I am putting it all into action.
I would recommend it to anyone who wishes to create a more healthy space to exist in, or you know anyone sensible and who enjoys life and wants to ensure they live it to the fullest.
November 15, 2021
When I tell you I have more lines highlighted in this book than not... I was so sad to close the final pages and put it back on the shelf but I know I'll return to it again in time. I purposely took my time with this one, wanting to take notes and process the information of each chakra slowly. I'm not entirely new to chakra philosophy, so it blew my mind wide open reading Myss's deep intel partnered with ancient wisdom of the chakras I had never heard of before; furthermore as she cross-referenced these teachings with the Christian sacraments and the Kabbalah's Tree of Life. The book provides a blueprint to healing, alignment and accessing higher states of consciousness while simultaneously remaining curious and open to individual experiences and stories.
Regardless of what we believe or feel to be true in our bodies, minds and souls, there is a thread of golden truth laced through out so many of these historical beliefs and practices and it was beautiful reading about them from this perspective partnered with personal stories of deep physical and energetic healing of others channeled through Caroline herself. I am deeply grateful for the things I can now take with me from this book in my own self-study, personal practices and energetic understanding of my soul and others. I can't wait to explore more of her books!
Regardless of what we believe or feel to be true in our bodies, minds and souls, there is a thread of golden truth laced through out so many of these historical beliefs and practices and it was beautiful reading about them from this perspective partnered with personal stories of deep physical and energetic healing of others channeled through Caroline herself. I am deeply grateful for the things I can now take with me from this book in my own self-study, personal practices and energetic understanding of my soul and others. I can't wait to explore more of her books!
March 25, 2010
This is a very insightful book that is particularly suited for individuals who have been on the "spiritual path" for quite some time. Here's a great passage from it related to forgiveness as it relates to illness:
"We all have negative feelings, but not all negativity produces disease. To create disease, negative emotions have to be dominant, and what accelerates the process is KNOWING the negative thought to be toxic, but giving it permission to thrive in your consciousness anyway. For instance, you may know you need to forgive someone, yet you decide that remaining angry gives you more power. Remaining obsessively angry makes you more likely to develop a disease because the energy consequence of a negative obsession is powerlessness. Energy is power, and transmitting energy into the past by dwelling on painful events drains power from your present-day body and can lead to illness."
"We all have negative feelings, but not all negativity produces disease. To create disease, negative emotions have to be dominant, and what accelerates the process is KNOWING the negative thought to be toxic, but giving it permission to thrive in your consciousness anyway. For instance, you may know you need to forgive someone, yet you decide that remaining angry gives you more power. Remaining obsessively angry makes you more likely to develop a disease because the energy consequence of a negative obsession is powerlessness. Energy is power, and transmitting energy into the past by dwelling on painful events drains power from your present-day body and can lead to illness."
November 3, 2010
Anatomy of the Spirit marked the beginning of Caroline Myss’ notorious career on the New Age healing circuit. Anatomy is a book that relies heavily on anecdotes and testimonials, offering these as “proofs” of Divine healings. Writing in the fashion of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Myss touts a PhD in the field of “Energy Medicine” and boasts a miraculous healing of a man with HIV. There is no proof of either an accredited PhD or any such healing. Like any good New Age woo, Myss combines all the major world religions and throws in some popular, scientific weasel words (ie Anatomy). Her tone, per usual, is self-praising as she claims that her Divine ability to diagnose illness is far superior to the fields of science, medicine, and psychology. While presenting her pseudoscience in the form of chakra work, prayer, and meditation, she manages to remind the audience that even if all this work is done, there is no guarantee of healing. She has an entire story about a woman who was allegedly told by a mystical being that she would end up with an illness and have to live with it for the remainder of her life. It, like in all of Myss’ books, reminds the reader that, though she offers a seeming science to the process of healing, it is likely that if you do not receive any benefit, it is because there is some Divine, incomprehensible reason beyond our current understanding. So, remember, you can do all this work in her book (which is quite a lot, I assure you) and still be stuck where you are. Oh yes, and Myss tells us that the aforementioned woman, who would live the remainder of her days in pain, was on hallucinatory drugs when she had her mystical encounter. And this in no way affects Myss’ judgment that the experience was real and Divine. This sort of selective storytelling sometimes leads me to believe that Myss is more deluded than a fraud. And yet, fortunately, her current, alleged interactions with St. Theresa of Avila, reassure me of the charlatan that she has always been.
If you want to read something written by someone who believes that she is far superior to the rest of humanity—who acts as though she has been chosen by God to heal the world—who creates a pseudoscience based on sorta kinda maybe experiences and anecdotes—then Caroline Myss is your author. She will surely show you all the things wrong with your life, and remind you that you are imperfect, selfish, and stupid. The only value in reading this book is in the fact that it has been a major influence in the world of woo. As always, I remind all readers to enter with caution. Myss is known for encouraging irrational thinking (as she believes that the Divine is irrational). It is likely your brain might fall out in reading such garbage.
If you want to read something written by someone who believes that she is far superior to the rest of humanity—who acts as though she has been chosen by God to heal the world—who creates a pseudoscience based on sorta kinda maybe experiences and anecdotes—then Caroline Myss is your author. She will surely show you all the things wrong with your life, and remind you that you are imperfect, selfish, and stupid. The only value in reading this book is in the fact that it has been a major influence in the world of woo. As always, I remind all readers to enter with caution. Myss is known for encouraging irrational thinking (as she believes that the Divine is irrational). It is likely your brain might fall out in reading such garbage.
February 5, 2011
I alternated between liking the book and being really irritated with it. While I do believe that there is more to health and illness than just what the Western medical establishment currently understands, there is a lot of science to health and illness. This book completely ignores the science. Myss gives an example of a man "healed" from HIV by "adopting a healthy, near-vegetarian diet, doing aerobic exercise, quitting smoking, using castor oil packs across his abdomen for 45 minutes a day, and psychotherapy" to come to terms with being gay. Really. Anectdotes like that just piss me off. Other parts of the book do have good suggestions. You cannot be at war with yourself or those around you without manifesting physical symptoms. You will be healthier and happier if you follow your bliss. Just don't think that being in the closet will give you AIDS and admitting your sexual preference will heal you. That's crap.
May 25, 2012
Overall, a good solid book with lots of information, but it failed to provide me with tools that I can use at home to heal myself. Therefore, it was a let down, for me, personally.
This book goes into a lot of detail about chakras and spiritual jargon, of how the chakras relate to Christian & Jewish symbolism (not a theologan, can you tell..lol). Good. But that doesn't really interest me, not does it have anything to do with me healing myself. So I know the 1st Chakra (or Root) also is x with Christianity. So what? That information does zippo for my healing, unless I am interested in those things.
The stories however, saved this book for me, and kept me reading. They were insightful and inspiring.
And the "Questions to ask yourself" were good, but not great. Most of us, are so out of touch with ourselves (subconscious) that we can't just ask a question and get understanding (or perhaps it is just me that's out of touch..Lol). So we read over 10 questions to ourselves? So what? How do we heal from the answer (assuming we even get an answer from ourselves)?
The only tool provided, was a tiny chapter at the end, which basically just talked about "meditating". Okay. Well, what the gosh-darn is meditating? How does one do that? How does one know when you're actually meditating? Meditating and questions are the only tools?
And yes, I know how to meditate, and do.
Not good enough for me.
So, it was a personal difference for me. I need tools. You give me a hammer, I can take the hammer to pound things in, or pull them out. I need tools to help me heal the no fracking issues that I'm dealing with right here and now, not a vague thing about meditation.
I read the book, since it was a gift I will keep it in my library. But I wouldn't buy one.
For healing tools, I prefer books with tools such as "The Healing Code" by Alexander Loyd, "The Emotion Code" by Bradley Nelson, and "Energy Medicine" by Donna Eden.
This book goes into a lot of detail about chakras and spiritual jargon, of how the chakras relate to Christian & Jewish symbolism (not a theologan, can you tell..lol). Good. But that doesn't really interest me, not does it have anything to do with me healing myself. So I know the 1st Chakra (or Root) also is x with Christianity. So what? That information does zippo for my healing, unless I am interested in those things.
The stories however, saved this book for me, and kept me reading. They were insightful and inspiring.
And the "Questions to ask yourself" were good, but not great. Most of us, are so out of touch with ourselves (subconscious) that we can't just ask a question and get understanding (or perhaps it is just me that's out of touch..Lol). So we read over 10 questions to ourselves? So what? How do we heal from the answer (assuming we even get an answer from ourselves)?
The only tool provided, was a tiny chapter at the end, which basically just talked about "meditating". Okay. Well, what the gosh-darn is meditating? How does one do that? How does one know when you're actually meditating? Meditating and questions are the only tools?
And yes, I know how to meditate, and do.
Not good enough for me.
So, it was a personal difference for me. I need tools. You give me a hammer, I can take the hammer to pound things in, or pull them out. I need tools to help me heal the no fracking issues that I'm dealing with right here and now, not a vague thing about meditation.
I read the book, since it was a gift I will keep it in my library. But I wouldn't buy one.
For healing tools, I prefer books with tools such as "The Healing Code" by Alexander Loyd, "The Emotion Code" by Bradley Nelson, and "Energy Medicine" by Donna Eden.
December 6, 2011
Refreshing that it wasn't a "Polly-Anna" think positive and everything will all be miraculously healed kind of book. It was really an in depth look at the emotional, psychological and mental baggage we carry and how it can lead to spiritual and physical breakdowns. She examines these things using the chakras, the sefirots of Kabbalah, as well as the Seven Christian sacraments. Myss challenges the reader to heal deep seated and underlying issues, if they truly want to heal on any level. She doesn't spend too much time talking about healing physical illness (when she does, she offers examples of those who were healed physically as a result of a breakthrough and those who weren't), but instead focuses a lot of time discussing the emotional and psychological ways of being, what contributes to breakdowns and how we can overcome them to live fuller, richer lives, more spiritually connected full of meaning and love.
February 27, 2015
I saw a friend reading this book!
This is by 'far' in my opinion Caroling Myss's best book! I read it years ago.
Paul had given it to me when I was leaving for a personal retreat --(with a chakra precious gem necklace) -
As 'crazy' as I am about 'this' book Carolyn wrote ---
I feel the complete opposite on some books she has written in later years.
"Entering the Castle", finding the Inner Path and Your Soul's Purpose" ...
was about preparing us for a mystical meeting with God.
I couldn't stand things she was saying....leading us through castles -and mansions ...
Plus--it were her book the way she told us too--it would NEVER leave our night stand. It was as if she wrote the new bible to read daily --'forever'.
Hated it!
but LOVED this one!
This is by 'far' in my opinion Caroling Myss's best book! I read it years ago.
Paul had given it to me when I was leaving for a personal retreat --(with a chakra precious gem necklace) -
As 'crazy' as I am about 'this' book Carolyn wrote ---
I feel the complete opposite on some books she has written in later years.
"Entering the Castle", finding the Inner Path and Your Soul's Purpose" ...
was about preparing us for a mystical meeting with God.
I couldn't stand things she was saying....leading us through castles -and mansions ...
Plus--it were her book the way she told us too--it would NEVER leave our night stand. It was as if she wrote the new bible to read daily --'forever'.
Hated it!
but LOVED this one!
September 15, 2009
This is one of my all time favorites. I'm reading it again to remind me of those spiritual lessons that are still hiding out from my consciousness :)
May 27, 2014
I love the premiss of this book - mind/body connection.
I came to read this book after struggling for numerous years with chronic lower back pain. I explored many areas to explain why this pain was with me and why it wouldn't leave - despite many attempts to rid it on my part.
From Caroline's book, I learned about the chakra system and explored deeply what, if anything, I was doing (or had done) that was contributing to my pain and "dis-ease" with my back. After reading the book, I began doing Kundalini yoga almost daily in attempts to work whatever was in there out (and help my kundalini rising). This didn't help me and in fact caused more pain.
Eventually, it was discovered that what was really going on was that I had bilateral (both sides) hip dysplasia (shallow, forward facing hip sockets) and something called FAI (hip ball and socket pinching cartilage and tearing/shredding)..
Needless to say, I had huge regrets of doing the kundalini yoga and felt better knowing my pain wasn't stemming from something "stuck" in my lower chakra, or some psychological issue I hadn't addressed. Rather, I was pretty much born with deformed hips and my pediatrician never caught it. I've since had surgeries to fix some of the biomechanical issues and am feeling a world better.
Use extreme caution when reading this book. Take it all with a grain of salt. There may be some parts that have some validity, but often times with illnesses there are multiple factors to consider.
I came to read this book after struggling for numerous years with chronic lower back pain. I explored many areas to explain why this pain was with me and why it wouldn't leave - despite many attempts to rid it on my part.
From Caroline's book, I learned about the chakra system and explored deeply what, if anything, I was doing (or had done) that was contributing to my pain and "dis-ease" with my back. After reading the book, I began doing Kundalini yoga almost daily in attempts to work whatever was in there out (and help my kundalini rising). This didn't help me and in fact caused more pain.
Eventually, it was discovered that what was really going on was that I had bilateral (both sides) hip dysplasia (shallow, forward facing hip sockets) and something called FAI (hip ball and socket pinching cartilage and tearing/shredding)..
Needless to say, I had huge regrets of doing the kundalini yoga and felt better knowing my pain wasn't stemming from something "stuck" in my lower chakra, or some psychological issue I hadn't addressed. Rather, I was pretty much born with deformed hips and my pediatrician never caught it. I've since had surgeries to fix some of the biomechanical issues and am feeling a world better.
Use extreme caution when reading this book. Take it all with a grain of salt. There may be some parts that have some validity, but often times with illnesses there are multiple factors to consider.
March 9, 2023
Some good parts. Too much theory, not enough practical healing & seeing' into someone
April 17, 2020
For my 13 years of teaching yoga this book has been on my supplemental reading list for almost every training. No course leader really mentioned it, it was just on the list.
In quarantine, I finally decided to give it a read.
All these years I believed the cover when it said "she synthesizes the ancient wisdom of three spiritual traditions - the Hindu chakras, the Christian sacraments, and the Kabbalah's Tree of Life." This statement is untrue.
Anatomy of the Spirit is a HEAVILY Catho-Christian text which mentions chakras and Sefirah as points to support Christian sacraments. In anecdote after anecdote, Ms Myss tells us about how she encouraged someone to follow their heart, or their dreams, or some other motivation to change their lives. She'll either tell us they healed because they listened to her, they died because they didn't, or they listen, but died. She routinely shames those who have faced significant trauma as "forever looking for the easy meditation, the easy exercise" (page 257). I have not been able to find any evidence that the author herself has any personal experience with trauma.
If you are looking for a balanced spiritual presentation or guidance on healing you are out of luck. If, however, you are looking for a guidebook on living as a good and fearful Catholic, this book is for you.
In quarantine, I finally decided to give it a read.
All these years I believed the cover when it said "she synthesizes the ancient wisdom of three spiritual traditions - the Hindu chakras, the Christian sacraments, and the Kabbalah's Tree of Life." This statement is untrue.
Anatomy of the Spirit is a HEAVILY Catho-Christian text which mentions chakras and Sefirah as points to support Christian sacraments. In anecdote after anecdote, Ms Myss tells us about how she encouraged someone to follow their heart, or their dreams, or some other motivation to change their lives. She'll either tell us they healed because they listened to her, they died because they didn't, or they listen, but died. She routinely shames those who have faced significant trauma as "forever looking for the easy meditation, the easy exercise" (page 257). I have not been able to find any evidence that the author herself has any personal experience with trauma.
If you are looking for a balanced spiritual presentation or guidance on healing you are out of luck. If, however, you are looking for a guidebook on living as a good and fearful Catholic, this book is for you.
February 4, 2009
A great walk through the body's energetic system. Myss is an established medical intuitive and one of the greatest and most prolific leading authorities on natural healing. I like her style and practical multi-disciplinary approach. This is a walk through each of the body's seven energy centers (chakras), and she expertly explains what health challenges (physically and emotionally) are associated with each energy center, what the process of healing actually IS (physically and emotionally), and how each of the 7 energy centers relate to the 7 sacraments of christianity, the kabbalah tree of life, and some eastern traditions (because these are what she is most familiar with) -- the point being that this is not new information and the keys to this exact information are presented slightly differently in many spiritual traditions and have been passed down through the ages.
May 1, 2015
I LOVED IT!!!!
I started reading this book out of boredom, it was a very random choice. I have never heard of it or anything, and I'm sad that I didn't.
I didn't think I will finish it in one sitting. Yes I know it's a very short book, but I was very sleepy so I really didn't think I will stay up for a book I have never heard of. It might sound weird, but after reading this book I feel refreshed. I feel more deep?? Like I know what's my next step is? You guys must read it.
I honestly recommend it to everyone.
I started reading this book out of boredom, it was a very random choice. I have never heard of it or anything, and I'm sad that I didn't.
I didn't think I will finish it in one sitting. Yes I know it's a very short book, but I was very sleepy so I really didn't think I will stay up for a book I have never heard of. It might sound weird, but after reading this book I feel refreshed. I feel more deep?? Like I know what's my next step is? You guys must read it.
I honestly recommend it to everyone.
June 6, 2009
this book is pretty amazing. a slippery slope positive thinking, hippy, rabbit hole of books I read during yoga training. This one is about an intuitive doctor, who can actually diagnose patients by their energetic reading. I also find it horrifying (in a good way) how she links guilt, anger, old feelings with disease later in life. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh crap.
my life is forever changed. so into this :)
my life is forever changed. so into this :)
February 3, 2023
I want to start by saying that I am not at all the target audience for this book.
This book is probably more suited to those who have little to no basis of understanding for their own spiritual journeys. It's for those who are questioning what spirituality means to them and what version of God they can grasp with their own two hands. With the teachings of Jesus as my cornerstone, I disagreed with 80% of these words.
I agree that there is way more to health than what the doctor's office will tell you. Our minds have a lot of power over our health, whether or not we want to acknowledge that. I don't agree, however, that divorcing your spouse or quitting your job and moving across the country will cure your cancer, as Myss seems to suggest. There was a weird amount of focus on divorcing spouses, among other stories I didn't buy from the author.
Don't recommend it. Excited about the group discussion, though.
This book is probably more suited to those who have little to no basis of understanding for their own spiritual journeys. It's for those who are questioning what spirituality means to them and what version of God they can grasp with their own two hands. With the teachings of Jesus as my cornerstone, I disagreed with 80% of these words.
I agree that there is way more to health than what the doctor's office will tell you. Our minds have a lot of power over our health, whether or not we want to acknowledge that. I don't agree, however, that divorcing your spouse or quitting your job and moving across the country will cure your cancer, as Myss seems to suggest. There was a weird amount of focus on divorcing spouses, among other stories I didn't buy from the author.
Don't recommend it. Excited about the group discussion, though.
June 16, 2010
This book has some definite good ideas for self-introspection and evaluation. I found some of her ideas very interesting. However, I think this book would strike more of a chord for those people who have no religious or spiritual background than for those who already have a spiritual foundation.
The one thing I definitely took from this book, "Accept responsibility for your own personal healing." I agree with the author that medicine can only do so much and nobody else can heal you. We can't just sit back and say "Throw me a pill or it's the doctor's fault I'm not being healed." Both these things can HELP you, but ultimately, you and your mental state have to be in sync as far as taking charge of wanting to be a better person whether it is physically, emotionally, or mentally.
I found some of the tediousness of explaining all the chakras a bit boring and mundane, but overall, I'm still glad I read the book.
The one thing I definitely took from this book, "Accept responsibility for your own personal healing." I agree with the author that medicine can only do so much and nobody else can heal you. We can't just sit back and say "Throw me a pill or it's the doctor's fault I'm not being healed." Both these things can HELP you, but ultimately, you and your mental state have to be in sync as far as taking charge of wanting to be a better person whether it is physically, emotionally, or mentally.
I found some of the tediousness of explaining all the chakras a bit boring and mundane, but overall, I'm still glad I read the book.
November 22, 2010
Incredible stuff - plenty to reflect about. Another book - essential book to keep in your library. Here's a couple sentences I highlighted:
Life is painful at times, and spiritually, we are meant to face the pains that life present.
Spiritual teachings encourage us to grow past and through painful experiences, each of which is a spiritual lesson. Developing intuitive ability will help us learn the lessons inherent in our experiences.
Life is painful at times, and spiritually, we are meant to face the pains that life present.
Spiritual teachings encourage us to grow past and through painful experiences, each of which is a spiritual lesson. Developing intuitive ability will help us learn the lessons inherent in our experiences.
September 6, 2008
I disliked this book soooo much- really need a minus sign for this one! The author is a legend in her own mind and I think most of her ideas are ridiculous. I made it about half way through only because it was a selection for the book club I am in - I just couldn't bear to read any more of it (which is quite unusual for me- I try to finish any book I start!)
May 25, 2010
I have read this book twice and it is always informative and I learn something new. It is a great source of reference to have.
August 16, 2013
This book has changed the way I think of illness and disease.
January 23, 2020
This is short and a bit too mystical for what I usually go for, but it was still a nice listen.
March 23, 2014
I really loved this book! It has been a long time, but I remember coming away from it with a much deeper understanding of myself and a really useful new approach on things. Seriously, Caroline Myss offers a wonderful resource here for those of us who are really wanting to delve deep into ourselves and actually get to know more than just our minds, our bodies, or even our hearts... she breaks down elements of the soul. Why are you here? What is our purpose here as spirits in a physical world? Read this and tho it will certainly not answer everything, it will propose several very mind-opening notions about the metaphysical part of ourselves... the part that we really are.
March 2, 2017
Really interesting. Myss does a great job of connecting the 7 chakras with the 7 sacraments of Christianity and the 7 major teachings from the Judaic Tree of Life. Fascinating read for both religious and spiritual scholars (of which I am neither, btw, so it's also great for the layman with a curious mind!)
February 25, 2019
Read this for the chakra system, which was interesting and also relatable at times, so two stars instead of one. Other than that, though, a lot of what's in here made me want to bang my head against a wall because of its cringe-worthiness.
July 23, 2023
A major thumbs down for me was the Author's congregation of beliefs without any depth of the individual beliefs. It seemed shallow to me, her strength from my understanding is more on the orthodox doctrine than any other. Whilst it is indeed an uphill task to take up an amalgamation of beliefs it is something else to delve into spirituality and solely stand on the assumption of a 'one supreme' being.
On the upside, there are nuggets of advice leaning more from experience as a counseling authority IMO than a depth of spirituality. Regardless, every book, every person, every circumstance is a beacon to learn from.
On the upside, there are nuggets of advice leaning more from experience as a counseling authority IMO than a depth of spirituality. Regardless, every book, every person, every circumstance is a beacon to learn from.
July 18, 2018
Sigurno ću ju prolistati još nekoliko puta!
July 30, 2019
This book was a huge disappointment.
Going in I thought this would be an interesting read about mind-body medicine and the connection between mind, body, and spirit.
I enjoyed her writing style; she was clear and precise. I am glad that she has a Bibliography, as that always makes the writer more credible. I also liked how she had charts to emphasize and explain her ideas. I appreciated the Preface and the Introduction as I did not know who Caroline Myss was before reading this book, so the background was interesting.
I agree with her three principles: 1) biography becomes biology, 2) personal power is necessary for health, 3) you alone can help yourself heal. But going through the book I'm not sure she believes in this principles; or, at least, she does not convey these principles to be true. I was especially excited for her second principle. Too often people give their energy/power away to physicians, and the like, because of their status and education. I thought she would go into detail about claiming ones own power and to channel that into healing. She did say that, minimally, but then as the book goes on, she becomes increasingly against that principle. By the end of the book, she is stating that no one has any power and you have to just hand everything over to god. If you neglect to do this, you will suffer, but, even if you do hand over everything, you may still suffer. She provides examples of this throughout the book, and I am just left with the question of, "Then what is the point?" But she safeguards herself from answering that question by claiming that we mortals can never understand the will of god. How many oppressive beliefs does that remind you of?
One thing she (and probably other energy healers) take for granted is that mind (or spirit, or both) are more important than the physical body. I believe that all three are equally important and work together; therefore, anything can go wrong with any of the three. But she argues that if something is wrong with the physical body, then that automatically equates to something being wrong in spirit. I just cannot accept this is true 100% of the time. I believe strongly in the power of the mind, and I feel certain that many illnesses are psychosomatic; however, I do believe that sometimes, some thing just goes wrong with the physical body.
Another huge idea she takes for granted in the reader is that you believe in god. She tries to make it applicable to different belief systems - Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist - but what about the ones who do not believe in those religious ideas of god?
I really thought this book would be about how to heal, but it reads like it was written by a missionary. Hand everything over to the "Divine" and everything will be fine. If you resist the "Divine" you will suffer. That is straight from every major religious text. Save your money on this book and give it to your local church if you want to hear things like that.
There is no help in this book for those who truly want to use their own power of body-mind-spirit to heal from illness.
Going in I thought this would be an interesting read about mind-body medicine and the connection between mind, body, and spirit.
I enjoyed her writing style; she was clear and precise. I am glad that she has a Bibliography, as that always makes the writer more credible. I also liked how she had charts to emphasize and explain her ideas. I appreciated the Preface and the Introduction as I did not know who Caroline Myss was before reading this book, so the background was interesting.
I agree with her three principles: 1) biography becomes biology, 2) personal power is necessary for health, 3) you alone can help yourself heal. But going through the book I'm not sure she believes in this principles; or, at least, she does not convey these principles to be true. I was especially excited for her second principle. Too often people give their energy/power away to physicians, and the like, because of their status and education. I thought she would go into detail about claiming ones own power and to channel that into healing. She did say that, minimally, but then as the book goes on, she becomes increasingly against that principle. By the end of the book, she is stating that no one has any power and you have to just hand everything over to god. If you neglect to do this, you will suffer, but, even if you do hand over everything, you may still suffer. She provides examples of this throughout the book, and I am just left with the question of, "Then what is the point?" But she safeguards herself from answering that question by claiming that we mortals can never understand the will of god. How many oppressive beliefs does that remind you of?
One thing she (and probably other energy healers) take for granted is that mind (or spirit, or both) are more important than the physical body. I believe that all three are equally important and work together; therefore, anything can go wrong with any of the three. But she argues that if something is wrong with the physical body, then that automatically equates to something being wrong in spirit. I just cannot accept this is true 100% of the time. I believe strongly in the power of the mind, and I feel certain that many illnesses are psychosomatic; however, I do believe that sometimes, some thing just goes wrong with the physical body.
Another huge idea she takes for granted in the reader is that you believe in god. She tries to make it applicable to different belief systems - Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist - but what about the ones who do not believe in those religious ideas of god?
I really thought this book would be about how to heal, but it reads like it was written by a missionary. Hand everything over to the "Divine" and everything will be fine. If you resist the "Divine" you will suffer. That is straight from every major religious text. Save your money on this book and give it to your local church if you want to hear things like that.
There is no help in this book for those who truly want to use their own power of body-mind-spirit to heal from illness.
July 24, 2021
Hmmm this is an interesting one. I'm going to count it as read even though I mostly skimmed the book because I listened to the audiobook first, which I very much enjoyed. Really interesting stuff. I am interested in chakras and intrigued by the tree of life so I enjoyed understanding how the author put these together and her voice is so soothing. I grew up Christian, though not Catholic, so the sacraments didn't mean much to me. But I enjoyed it so I went through the book next.
Once the ebook came in from the library, I realized the audiobook was actually the author giving a talk about the book, not reading the actual book. The book, frankly, was pretty boring. You can skip the entire part one unless you really care about this author because it's basically her life story. The lesson starts in part two. This might actually be five stars just for the content but I'm docking one star since I found the actual book too long and tedious with all the unnecessary "real-life people" examples throughout.
I found myself having a problem with the way to author uses prostitution metaphorically, as if the choice is harmful in and of itself. I am aware there are bad situations but human trafficking is not a choice. Sex work is and it's just as valid a job as selling anything else. But mostly this book does carry a positive message around sexuality and I like that she covers sexual shame and energy violations.
Once the ebook came in from the library, I realized the audiobook was actually the author giving a talk about the book, not reading the actual book. The book, frankly, was pretty boring. You can skip the entire part one unless you really care about this author because it's basically her life story. The lesson starts in part two. This might actually be five stars just for the content but I'm docking one star since I found the actual book too long and tedious with all the unnecessary "real-life people" examples throughout.
I found myself having a problem with the way to author uses prostitution metaphorically, as if the choice is harmful in and of itself. I am aware there are bad situations but human trafficking is not a choice. Sex work is and it's just as valid a job as selling anything else. But mostly this book does carry a positive message around sexuality and I like that she covers sexual shame and energy violations.
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