Anatomy of the Spirit

by Caroline Myss

book data

923 ratings, 4.15 average rating, 124 reviews (more data...)

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published

July 28th 2001 by Sounds True Inc.,U.S. (first published August 26th 1996)

details

Audio CD

isbn

1564558444 (isbn13: 9781564558442)

description

What sets Anatomy of the Spirit apart is Carolyn Myss's ability to blend diverse religious and spiritual beliefs into a succinct discussion of health …more

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 1,294)

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Jan 08, 2009

David added it (review of isbn 0609800140)

Dr. Myss (studied at a non-accredited school, but) in this book synthesizes certain scientific Philosophical ideas that are universal (she references the East & West Asia) and have always been synthesized esoterically. Myss is considered 'New Age,' an at least 400 - 1000 year old term (or as old as astrology, if not time measurement) that also passed through Theosophy, the main recent (mid - late 1800s) source of the term, and what may be the most in-depth, largest Philosophical corpus synthesi...more Dr. Myss (studied at a non-accredited school, but) in this book synthesizes certain scientific Philosophical ideas that are universal (she references the East & West Asia) and have always been synthesized esoterically. Myss is considered 'New Age,' an at least 400 - 1000 year old term (or as old as astrology, if not time measurement) that also passed through Theosophy, the main recent (mid - late 1800s) source of the term, and what may be the most in-depth, largest Philosophical corpus synthesizes symbols Myss uses: lokas/chakras (they correspond) and sephiroth, and she also uses the Christian sacraments.

There are 7 levels of lokas ('planes') and 'tree of life' sephiroth, 7 main consciousness 'principles' and chakras (Skt., 'wheels,' but mainly just nerve plexi; nerves contain consciousness movement.) Each chakra corresponds to a 'principle' and plane, though the principles are said to be on the 4 lowest. The old lokas & (incomplete) tree diagram use 4 to 7 lokas, as do chakra descriptions, but with 4 lokas they have 7 sephiroth on 4 'planes,' and with 6 or 7 it describes microcosm in macrocosm. That all shows the idea Myss describes: tree of life is chakra levels. As McCleave showed, the consciousness-chakra correspondence sequence is written in the gematria of _Revelation_. Myss did not mention the linear, chakra-like tree, which may be rare/new.

She relates 7 sacraments to chakras, each of which are said to have a brain point: higher for higher chakras. That must be original, though sacraments derive from events in the life of Christ and such 'world saviour' heroes, i.e. earlier levels of individuals' progress in Dharma, which most people have to go through more slowly, and there is evidence (in ancient texts and modern elaboration) it happens in the 4 lower 'planes.'

Myss integrates methods for chakras, quabalah (tree of life, etc.,) and sacraments into a simple esoteric psychological system for developing 'oneself.' by working on consciousness at each level. CG Jung was like that (though he may not have completely realized or admitted.)

Actually, Myss' ideas about 'planes' and consciousness 'principles' may be different or may be/imply the usual ancient definitions. It is said the body 'develops memories,' because of how it can be moved and how it is always changing, but I think not that there is some 'thought' in each chakra as if each were not just a nerve. I think Carolyn spends little/no time saying chakras are 'vortices,' because they are in nadis (Skt., nerves, ...,) which is good. Some people eat in dreams: why would anyone just have vortices from their etheric/astral/mental neck to stomach at least if below the higher mental plane?

Even if chakras are just plexi, medicine can work on them, because they are inner (the 7 and others) and outer acupoints, and either they or their chi (bios; prana) have been proven to exist by studies, and one could prove it with combined, logic, physics, 'biology' (not as somatology.) Myss' is involved in such medicine. Medical (biological to psychological) esoteric texts are interesting; Hermes Trismegistus wrote tens of texts (some survived) some influenced Hippocrates. This book is like their writings (though Hippocrates may not have been esoteric; Hermes is just recorded in history as having been influential.) Perhaps it is not as important, but few/no Hermetic medical texts survived, so books like this are useful (perhaps more so than surviving Hermetica, at least in the short term.) It would be challenging even if it included Taoist acupoints, the linear tree of life, Sufi lataifs (sp?,) and probable Egyptian equivalents, etc., nevertheless trying to learn that nature without dialectic can be too inefficient. The book is neither short nor long-winded: much of it is case histories, which one may not need to read some of, though it has examples of what one may need or not from viewpoints of consciousness levels (like Maslow's 'hierarchy of needs,' but the highest ones are important in the long term,) or how people dealt with that. Perhaps there are few/no New Age 'sacred texts' (or logical/proven ones,) but a good amount of this book is practical.
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Feb 04, 2009

Jessi rated it:

(review of isbn 0609800140)

Read in January, 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 h...more

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Feb 05, 2009

Shannon rated it:

(review of isbn 0609800140)

Read in July, 2007

awesome. It's a spiritual aid and physical health guide in one, which makes sense because it's all connected anyway. I appreciate that it's straightforward, not terribly mushy and, at least for me, it always has something new to absorb every time. Also, I've read quite a few books about chakras and energy systems and, while this still pretty much lines up with what I've read before, the way she approaches/explain the issues was both more comprehensive/complex than many but still understandable. ...more

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Aug 12, 2009

*elasticfate rated it:

(review of isbn 0609800140)

bookshelves: raw-foods-nutrition-health

Read in September, 2009

I sort of wished I had come across this book during my nyc days when I was experiencing my own 'dark night of the soul' but then again, I needed to endure that period of my life without external advice to really learn my power. Inner guidance helped me hold strong to my own healing path. Reading this now definitely filled in the gaps to help me continue healing my dis-ease & stepping into my healer path. I think anyone who has any healing work to do should definitely read this - the synthesis of...more

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Jun 05, 2009

Tracee rated it:

(review of isbn 0609800140)

Read in March, 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 :)

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Jul 30, 2009

MBurke rated it:

This is interesting if you've never read anything about this kind of stuff before, which I hadn't. It basically elaborates on the health psychology trend and looking at illness holistically. Tends to be far fetched with some things, but it talks about how your mentality and life experiences can influence and even cause physical illness. It's a good perspective - makes you think about your own stress levels and negativity.

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Dec 24, 2008

Angie rated it:

(review of isbn 0609800140)

Read in January, 2008

I love everything Myss writes! She is an amazing person with a background in theology. As a medical intuitive she has such an interesting view of the ways that your life affect the systems in your body and chakras, etc. This is my favorite of all her books. I have read it three times in my life, nost recently again this past summer.

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Dec 29, 2008

Annette added it (review of isbn 0609800140)

I've actually given this book to a few of my doctors ;)

"Our bodies contain our histories--every chapter, line, and verse of every event and relationship in our lives" (p. 40). She maintains, in other words, that as our lives unfold, our biography becomes our biology (p. 40).

Paints a complete picture of our "wholeness".

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Sep 02, 2009

Latisha Guthrie rated it:

(review of isbn 0609800140)

Read in September, 2009

The author gives a wonderfully simple explanation of chakras for any beginner in her easy to read voice that is unmistakable. I had many come to mama moments in reading this book. She spells out the smallest of infractions we daily commit on ourselves and how they can lead to a snowballing of reactions and patterns.

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Dec 30, 2008

Tabitha rated it:

(review of isbn 0609800140)

Read in January, 2002

Myss has an amazing insight on the mind body connection. The correlations she draws between the Hindu shakra system, the Christian sacraments, and the Jewish tree of Yessod is very interesting, particularly to those of us trying to marry eastern and western philosophies to make some kind of coherent system.

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Nov 20, 2008

Patti rated it:

(review of isbn 0609800140)

I read this book a few years ago, but this time around, I felt like I needed it. It's full of good stuff- it takes you through the 7 chakras and teaches you what they represent and how to deal with the emotional and health related issues associated with each one. Very good for mental health.

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Sep 09, 2009

Midoil1 rated it:

(review of isbn 0609800140)

Read in May, 2009

This book, recommended by niece Kristy, is about the seven stages of power and healing. It takes a typically Eastern mystic's perspective of chakras and explains how you can analyze your own healthy, energy levels, etc, in relation to this ancient, sometimes misunderstood, philosophy.

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Jan 04, 2009

Andrea rated it:

(review of isbn 0609800140)

Read in November, 2008

An interesting book about the human body and energy. It can use some editing... the concept and content are enticing but the author jumps around and can be a unclear at various points. The concept is believable and makes me want to be in a better mood!! Pretty decent book.

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Apr 20, 2008

Kimberly rated it:

(review of isbn 0609800140)

recommended to Kimberly by: Rebecca Ward
recommends it for: Joel Vazquez

There are few books that once you read you know that you will never be the same. This is that book for me.

Some might be turned off as she links several religious beliefs. Don't judge the book based on this -it is just one chapter and the rest of the book she leaves it alone. This is a book that will help you take a closer look at your life, how your choices are affecting you in more ways then you may think, and how to heal not only physically but emotionally. You will never look at ...more

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Jun 01, 2009

Africanpersonalities2000 rated it:

(review of isbn 0609800140)

Eye opening, un-spiritually bias,great understanding of how spirit and biological fuction affect one another.,

this a great book if you are ready to evolve above the mundane and enter into the conscious realm of spiritual activism.

peace and light

revolutionary.

ap

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May 24, 2009

Marysia rated it:

(review of isbn 0609800140)

A favorite. Written by a medical intuitive, it talks about "dis- ease" and how it manifests in our body from our emotions. An empowering book about healing and living in awareness. Fascinating stories, a great read and very insightful!

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Jan 19, 2010

Sandra rated it:

(review of isbn 0609800140)

This was one of caroline's earlier books. Her work is always so revelant to healing and health. She breaks down the chakras, and the illness's associated with each. All her books are worth reading, and re-reading.

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Sep 19, 2009

Alex rated it:

(review of isbn 0609800140)

I respect Caroline Myss for her acclaimed ability to meet her clients where they are (something conventional medicine could probably learn a lot of), but as far as her explanations on the hows and works of her healing experiences, it all gets too fairy-god-mother for me. Nothing in this book would withstand controlled and randomized trials and testing, and the author seems fine with that. I guess that's why I couldn't finish the book...

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Aug 06, 2009

Elizabeth rated it:

(review of isbn 0609800140)

Read in August, 2009

This book was absolutely outstanding. I really appreciated the straightforward writing style and cross-cultural focus. A friend lent me her copy to read, but I'll definately be picking up a copy of my own. I anticipate going back to it frequently.

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Jan 14, 2010

Vicki rated it:

(review of isbn 0609800140)

Read in December, 2009

Very well presented! This was a great book with clear examples of the value of a healthy spirit. It brought clarity for me on the chakras and how important it is to keep our energy flowing through them.

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