Wheels of Life: A User's Guide to the Chakra System

by Anodea Judith

As portals between the physical and spiritual planes, the chakras offer unparalleled opportunities for growth, healing, and transformation. Anodea Judith's classic introduction to the chakra system, which has sold over 200,000 copies, has been completely updated and expanded. It includes revised chapters on relationships, evolution, and healing, and a new section on raising children with healthy chakras.

Wheels of Life takes you on a powerful journey through progressively transcendent levels of consciousness. View this ancient metaphysical system through the light of new metaphors, ranging from quantum physics to child development. Learn how to explore and balance your own chakras using poetic meditations and simple yoga movements--along with gaining spiritual wisdom, you'll experience better health, more energy, enhanced creativity, and the ability to manifest your dreams.

Praise:
"Wheels of Life is the most significant and influential book on the chakras ever written."
-- John Friend, founder of Anusara Yoga

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Health, Self Help, New Age, Philosophy, Psychology

453 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Anodea Judith, Ph.D. is the founder and director of Sacred Centers, and a groundbreaking thinker, writer, therapist, and spiritual teacher. Her passion for the realization of human potential matches her concern for humanity’s impending crises — her fervent wish is that we “wake up in time.” She holds Masters and Doctoral degrees in Psychology and Human Health, is a 500 hour registered yoga teacher (E-RYT), with lifelong studies of psychology, mythology, sociology, history, systems theory, and mystic spirituality. She is considered one of the country’s foremost experts on the combination of chakras and therapeutic issues and on the interpretation of the Chakra System for the Western lifestyle. She teaches across the U.S., as well as in Canada, Europe, Asia, and South and Central America.

Reviews

[Peiman E iran · Rating 3 out of 5]

‎دوستانِ گرانقدر، یکی از بهترین کتابها در مورد <چاکرا> این کتاب است... از آنجایی که نمیتوانم به تمام مسائل مربوط به این موضوع بپردازم، بنابراین به نوشتنِ ریویویی مختصر و مفید، بسنده میکنم
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‎عزیزانم، <چاکرا> در زبانِ سانسکریت به معنایِ چرخ است.. چاکراها مراکزی از انرژی هستند که با چرخشِ خود نیرویِ <پرانا> را در اندام و کالبدهایِ انرژی ساماندهی میکنند
‎اکنون باید توضیح کوتاهی در موردِ پرانا بدهم.. پرانا نیز در زبان سانسکریت به معنایِ نیرویِ زندگی میباشد که سلامتی و شور و سطح آگاهیِ انسانها به آن بستگی دارد.. برخی پرانا را همچون مولکول هایِ پراکنده در هوا و فضا میدانند که از راه نفس کشیدن وارد بدن میشود، ولی درکل این انرژی حیاتی از راه نادی هایِ بدن منتقل میشود.. در انرژی پرانا، پنج عنصر حیاتی: آب و خاک و آتش و هوا و فضا، دخالت داشته و بدن با این پنج نیرو کنترل میشود
‎حال که در مورد پرانا نکته هایی دریافتیم، باید بدانیم که چاکراها پراناهای کیهانی را همچون گرداب به گردش درآورده و از راه های مختلف پراناها را در بدن پخش میکنند
‎تعداد چاکراها در بدن، هفت عدد است.. اینجا نیز آن عددِ هفتِ افسانه ای و به اصطلاح مقدس نقش دارد که در زیر این هفت چاکرا را برایتان مینویسم
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‎هفت چاکرا: مولاداهارا- سوادهیستانا- مانیپورا-آناهاتا- ویشوداها- آجنا - ساهاسرارا
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‎البته در زبانِ فارسی این هفت چاکرا نامهای دیگر دارد که در زیر آنها را برایتان مینویسم
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‎چاکراها به زبان فارسی: ریشه- خاجی- شبکهٔ خورشیدی- قلب- گلو- چشم سوم - تاج
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‎چاکراها به شکلِ گل نیلوفر یا همان گلِ لوتوس هستند... تعداد گلبرگ ها و رنگِ آنها در هر چاکرا متفاوت است

‎چاکرایِ مولاداهارا: این چاکرا چهار گلبرگ دارد و از آنجایی که با زمین یا خاک در ارتباط است، بنابراین رنگِ آن قرمز است و در منطقهٔ نشیمنگاه بدن قرار گرفته است
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‎چاکرای سوادهیستانا: این چاکرا شش گلبرگ دارد و با آب در ارتباط است و محل قرارگیری آن در امتداد اعضایِ تناسلی یا همان استخوانِ خاجی است و رنگ آن نارنجی میباشد
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‎چاکرای مانیپورا: این چاکرا ده گلبرگ دارد و با آتش در ارتباط است و در مقابلِ ناف است و رنگ آن زرد است
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‎چاکرای آناهاتا: این چاکرا دوازده گلبرگ دارد و با هوا در ارتباط است ... این چاکرا که همان چاکرای عشق است، بین دو کتف و بالای قلب قرار دارد و رنگ آن سبز است
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‎چاکرای ویشوداها: این چاکرا شانزده گلبرگ دارد و با فضا در ارتباط است... این چاکرا بین گلو و حنجره و در قاعدهٔ گردن قرار گرفته است و به نوعی مرکز تصفیه است و رنگ آن آبی مایل به نقره ای است
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‎چاکرای آجنا: این چاکرا نود و شش گلبرگ دارد و به نوعی چاکرایِ رئیس به حساب آمده و با غدهٔ هیپوفیز در ارتباط است ... بین دو ابرو و پیشانی قرار گرفته است و رنگ آن بین نیلی و ارغوانی است
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‎چاکرای ساهاسرارا: این چاکرا نهصد و شصت گلبرگ دارد و با آگاهی ناب و خردمندی در ارتباط است ... در فرقِ سر و بالای مغز قرار گرفته است و رنگ آن بنفش مایل به سفید است
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‎به جز چاکراهای اصلی، چاکراهای فرعی نیز داریم که توضیح در مورد آنها از حوصلهٔ این ریویو خارج است.. این چاکراها اندامهای کوچک را کنترل کرده و با غددِ درون ریز در ارتباط هستند
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‎در کل باید بدانیم که برخی عوامل همچون نگرانی و ترس و مسائل دیگر، سببِ بسته شدنِ چاکراها میشوند و ذهن و اندامِ بدن را با مشکل روبرو میسازند
‎برای باز کردنِ چاکراها و عملکردِ بهترِ آنها، راه های گوناگونی وجود دارد، که یکی از آنها گوش دادن به آهنگ های آرامش بخش و خاص است
‎یکی از چاکراهایِ مهم و حیاتی، چاکرایِ پنجم یا همان ویشوداها میباشد که ارتباطی میانِ چاکراهایِ پایین بدن و بالای بدن را دارد... مسدود شدنِ این چاکرا میتواند بین ذهن و بدن اختلال به وجود آورد ... یکی از راه های باز کردن این چاکرا، گوش دادن به آهنگ های خاص است... یکی از این آهنگ های خاص،<کنسرتو پیانو شمارهٔ پنج زنده یاد بتهوون> است ... گوش دادن به کنسرتو پیانو پنجِ بتهوون سببِ عملکردِ بهتر چاکرایِ پنجم شده و در نتیجه آرامش و فعالیت را در بدنِ انسان به بهترین شکل ممکن رسانده و سببِ مثبت اندیشی در انسان میشود و انسان را از نگرانی ها دور میکند
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‎امیدوارم این ریویو برایِ شما عزیزان، مفید بوده باشه
‎<پیروز باشید و ایرانی>

[kripsoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book on the Chakra system and to be quite frankly it has been one of those books I always go back to look for references My personal opinion is that Anodea Judith, PhD, has done an excellent book, both for the beginner in working and understanding the Chakras as well as the advanced
Each chapter is dedicated to a particular Chakra You will learn, the Sanskrit name to each Chakra, it's meaning, location, Element, Function, Inner State, Outer State, Body Parts, color, Mantra sound, Hindu Deity, as well as other deities from other pantheons. Also each chapter has a meditation on that particular Chakra as well as Yoga exercises to harness that particular Chakra to your favor. I have been directed to other books, because people say that there are better books out there. But to be honest this book for beginners is simple and right to the point. Anodea Judith, PhD writing is down to earth, and direct. Think about it, how can 100,000 readers go wrong. If you are looking for your first book on Chakras, you will not go wrong here. This is a good book, full of a wealth of information.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether the chakras are actually real or not, the philosophy behind it all provides an interesting conceptual model for the "energies" of life and how they are balanced and expressed. Not only will you figure out your own chakra system, but the book will give you a whole new (and very enlightening perspective) on your relationships, and in fact, this is the best "relationship" book I've read in years (and is not even its primary objective)! A very fun read!

[Anodea Judith]

Anodea Judith

[Katherine Pershey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently I am now the kind of person who listens to audiobooks about chakras.

[Shonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I were to recommend one book on the chakras, this would be it. Inspiring, educational, easy to understand. I'm reading it a 2nd time now, slowly. I'd say this book is what lead me to embark on my chakra project in the first place. I especially love how Anodea teaches how the chakras function in our day to day life.

[Dmw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this book! Reading this book will change your life. It has answered so many questions that plagued me for years. The author does such an exceptional job of explaining the chakras and their relevance to life, love, spirituality and growth. The last few chapters she links the creation of earth and humanity to each of the chakras using excellent descriptive examples. I will keep this book close by for the rest of my life as I will need and want to continue to turn to it for reference. Thanks so much to Carly Brown for recommending "Wheels of Life" to me.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've already read Eastern Body, Western Mind, this will be review. This one provides a nice overview of the chakra system -- how to imagine the system, what each chakra influences, etc. The other book gets into the psychology of how our unique system gets developed and I think is more interesting... but this would be a good primer.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to the chakras for beginners. However if you've been working with the chakras for 7 years like I have as a Reiki practitioner, you will benefit from a more advanced book.

[Keely · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good read for those who want to learn more about the chakra system. I actually wanted more exercises and journaling prompts than what this book offered, so I read the authors other book, The Sevenfold Journey, as a companion. It doesn’t go into as much detail as wheels of life, but offers exercises and journaling prompts.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife recently completed a teacher training in Kripalu Yoga and was sharing some of the teaching materials with me. I couldn't help but notice some of the overlaps with the somatic psychotherapy that I was training in at the time. I recently reviewed a book on Tantric Yoga, that I found rather disappointing and someone recommended I give Judith's book a chance. This time I was not disappointed. Judith has integrated a vast amount of learning on Yoga and the Chakra system from various Yoga disciplines, with developmental psychology and other spiritual disciplines such as Kabbalah and Jungian theory, and created this integrative masterpiece summarizing the 7 chakra system and the physical, psychological and spiritual implications of working through and balancing these centres. I have to take some of Judith's assertions as speculative and some as an approximation of sometimes mildly contradictory spiritual theories... but overall I found this book very informative and deeply inspiring and it helped me clarify what I had found confusing and vague in other works on the topic. I like Judith's meditative exercises and her recommendations for practices at the end of each section and look forward to trying some of them out over time.

[Evelyn B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, life changing book. With all the renewed focus today on New Age philosophies and spiritual exploration, this book is exactly what you need to begin understanding the Chakras. You hear about them in yoga class and perhaps know a thing or two... but this book is the whole cake with frosting and cherries on top. Dr. Judith dives into each chakra and connects their meaning to each other, while providing all the details you need to start your quest for learning Yogi philosophy and understanding of the Chakras. There are some dense portions of the book, but it was generally very easy to absorb for someone who had never studied chakras before. My one quip I have is I wonder if the dichotomy of gender is really accurate these days, knowing gender is a spectrum. There is no acknowledgment of this in the book, and it is a big focus with yin and yang in the second chakra.

[Kati · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this originally on the Kindle but I liked it so much that I have ordered a print copy to allow for easier referencing.

If you have never read anything about chakras before, this book is definitely the place to start. It provides you with tons of interesting information and insights about the seven major chakras in an easy-to-read and engaging way. Plus, it also has a couple of chapters exploring the chakra system as a whole (something that most authors don't do), so you get a very holistic approach. Highly recommended for anyone interesting in learning more about chakras, even if you already have prior knowledge about them.

[Matthew Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

For people already open to spiritual systems. It’s interesting the times where the author will cite her sources, sometimes pretty often. Then she says certain claims like “studies show this or that”, where a topic of a more alternative medicine or supposedly common accepted discussion is brought about there is no citation. Especially the end. I hope this helps people. it does seems like it will open people to self-help and growth. The worry is the aspects of alternative medicine that could lead to buying items that are told to help with healing that do no such thing. Just think critically about any claims anyone argues with or without citations.

[Emma Irwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

would not recommend. I appreciate the information she presented however I felt like there were a lot of words with little meaning behind them — it could have been condensed. it was an okay book & possibly a good book to start with for an introduction to the chakra system but not something I would deem an essential read.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very detailed descriptions of each of the 7 major chakras. Judith gives textbook information that reads like a novel. Also provides exercises and instructions for strengthening and balancing the chakras. Loved it!

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very dense. Reads like an encyclopedia. It has all the info you could ever need or want about Chakras but it could take a lifetime of study to digest and remember all that is in this book. Not a good book for a Chakra beginner.

[Ryan Hunter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Extremely information poor and long winded, you’d be better off searching the internet for a basic overview, you’ll be getting info of similar or superior quality to that contained in this work.

[Emilija · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geras įvadas į tai, kaip konceptualizuojama kūno-proto-jausmų-elegesių-aplinkos sąveika, su nuorodomis į fizinius pratimus, meditacijas, mitybos patarimus.
Aišku, grindžia pseudomokslu, daug visokių pretenzijų, tai rekomenduočiau alyernatuvių idėjų gurmanams arba pseudomokslų entuziastams. Bet atmetus tą dalį, kaip būdas matyti ir suprasti pasaulį, visai įdomus.

[aida · Rating 5 out of 5]

an expansive and well-written book about chakras, with various how-tos, exercises and guides. the text is easy to understand and a book contains a lot of references to other similar books, which i find very useful. much recommended

[Alex Sommer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This meditative, healing guide is a beautiful way to develop deeper spiritual understandings. A perfect "how to understand chakras" with practical information mixed with abstract meditations. Life changing.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of information, will use as a reference and will need to reread..

[Becky Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book and will probably buy for future reference.

[Charlotte L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly clear, very well written, and so interesting ! You can't find a better book to learn more about chakras.

[Silas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew this was a classic work that I have seen referenced elsewhere, so I thought it would be a worthwhile listen. It is from the late '80s, so I also expected it to be perhaps a bit dated. There was also an update in the late '90s, so it wasn't too bad. I was surprised to find that this ventured beyond a strictly Indian look at the chakras, but synthesized it with some Western ceremonial magic and Wicca (I personally noticed several references to the works of Starhawk). That might not work for all readers, but it resonated quite a bit with me, and it still had a lot of traditional knowledge, just with those things layered on top, and if they are not of interest to you, they are fairly easy to just leave out. This was a very thorough look at the chakra system as a whole, as well as each individual chakra, including mantras, color associations, and a thorough description of the functions of each chakra. I would recommend this as a good, solid introduction to chakras as a concept. It matches up well with other things I have learned about them, and is all in one place. I expect I will reference this book in the future.

[S. Ferguson · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. Just go read Eastern Body, Western Mind by the same author. That book sticks its mark. This one, which Judith wrote first, does not. It’s filled with choppy, half-baked ideas and half-hearted connections to ancient traditions. I fear that there are more inaccuracies than I can see. I stopped reading when she discusses the sun (connected to the third chakra) and says that helium is less massive than hydrogen. (It’s not.) There are some helpful yogic exercises, I suppose, but I don’t know a ton about that branch of yoga. Just go read her much more developed and refined work, which is well-written and organized and packed with helpful details.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book about Chakras I have ever read, and I was glad it was written in an easy-to-understand manner. I am impressed with the way the author was able to explain the concept of chakras in a way I could relate to. I didn't get as much out of the final chapters - the part about our entire history being based on Chakras lost me - but I learned a lot.

I'm not sure how much I plan to incorporate chakra healing into my life, but most of the ideas in the book are practical and easy to apply. It's well organized and makes a great book to refer back to over and over.

[Meg · Rating 2 out of 5]

What started off as a solid introduction to the chakra system quickly spins off into imprecise, nebulous language that I struggled to grasp. I think the pitfall of discussing this type of topic is, unfortunately often, losing the reader or learner along the way. Where Anodea wins at introducing readers to each chakra and defining the system as a whole, the latter half of the book explores conceptual content that simply lost me in its abstractness.

[Trang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've heard portions of Eastern Body, Western Mind, which I found fascinating of how it was applied to childhood traumas. This was a thorough overview of chakra system, especially before I completely read her other book. It almost made me want a child so that I can follow her suggestions on how to better raise a child with balanced chakras. Imagine what the world would be like today if we were all raised to be loving, kind and confident.

[Kim S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anything you wanted to know about the Chakras is in this book. I wanted something a little more high level, so did skim some of it. But for anyone who wants an in-depth and detailed look into the chakras, this is the bible of chakras. But for me, it was too detailed. However, I would still rate it as a 4 because I will go back to it again and again for different snippets.