Chakras: Energy Centers of Transformation

This IS as one reviewer said the real deal. While others note its depth, and challenge to understand, that is because it is the real deal. I have been reading, re-reading this book for years, and am taking time to review because my worn copy needs replacement. It takes time to understand these concepts even with good teacher. This is the definitive introductory text to the true mysticism and yoga science of the chakras. No Esalen, new age stuff here. Pure tantra including allusions to the text of orgin for these concepts. Note I said introductory, and yet it’s still so deep. That is the depth of the chakras. For those of you who take the time to understand these teachings, this book will serve as a reference for years to come. It is an essential text for all serious yogis and a great gift. With love and gratitude to Harish Johari, Mark Shanti Dev

My friend had this book on her bookshelf, and after perusing it for some time, I quickly decided I had to have it for my own library. This is definitely not the kind of book you read once and never come back to. I find myself picking it up again and again to go over different information on various chakras or just to look at the amazing art. There's a lot of information here, a lot, And it is definitely helpful for a meditator to help understand the various energy centers of the body based on ancient Indian traditions.

As a kirtan singer/chanter, (kirtan is also known as Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion) I became very interested in traditional Indian teachings of the chakras because I knew they are associated with sounds; a beeja mantra or "seed sound" for each chakra, as well as each chakra petal having a one-syllable sound. A full and complete chanting practice of the chakras includes more than 50 sounds! This book not only informs one about the sounds for each chakra, the mantra, but also the yantra, the geometric symbol and color as well as the number and color of the petals, and gives in-depth explanations of the meanings of the symbols, along with descriptions of the elements, the ruling planets, the sense organs, the deities as well as other Natural and Symbolic information associated with each chakra. Techniques and effects for meditation practice are also included for each, as well as typical behavioral characteristics exhibited by people at each level of practice. For anyone interested in learning the raising of shakti (spiritual energy) through traditional Indian chakra practices, this is an excellent book. Jai Ganesh! Michelle (Shellie) Wood Author of Pilgrimage to India: An American Woman's Adventure Curator at Kirtan Community Blog of kirtan playlists.

This book by Harish Johari well explain about the Wheels of energy fields / centers in our body. For a better visual images please look at Alex Gray sacred mirrors

Deep Study

I'm a recreational reader and love tapping into all sorts of subjects. I find Harish Johari's work on the Chakras very informative and poetic. It's simple and easy to read and Johari writes from the heart. This book may very well become a prime reference for yoga instructors and eastern religious philosophers if it hasn't already. I'd highly recommend it as a Chakras reference book even if you've have read or own many.

With pretty colors and informative pictures that you could even hang on the wall if you framed properly. Pretty much everything you need to know about the chakras and what they represent. Can apply it to jyotish (eastern astrology) or just to energy work in general. Someone else said the sanskrit words were confusing. For true scholars, the sanskrit sounds are hold meaning in and of themselves; there aren't too many; it's authentic as is. Highly recommended.

Though I found certain sections very interesting and appreciated the authors detailed concepts, this book was not an easy read. First of all the Chakras themselves aren't even mentioned much until chapter 3. This is because the previous sections are talking about other things related to the chakras like prana and kundalini energies. There are many sanskrit words that can be difficult to keep straight in your mind if you haven't heard them before. In fact because I had difficulty getting into the flow of reading this book I stopped and picked up The idiots Guide to Hinduism- Read that 400 page book cover to cover- and then after that I picked up this book again and felt a lot more comfortable with it because the Idiots guide had explained all those sanskrit terms pretty well. Still, I didn't like that the book isn't concise sometimes and it's easy for your mind to glaze over. The other thing I didn't like was the pictures. I love that it had full illustrations and that it also had these illustrations again in coloring book form so that you can color them yourself for meditation.. but the pictures themselves I found somewhat distressing. Not all of them- but some. A couple of them were even plain scary looking to me. Like the one representing the root chakra which shows a woman with very wide bulging eyes staring at you. Now these pictures all have meaning to them obviously, but when you're meditating on something it shouldn't disturb you in the least and as for me- well I couldn't meditate using that. Personally I enjoy the CD that is meant to accompany this book much more than the actual book itself. Amazon sells the CD and it's basically mantras you can use for your chakra system.

Sriman Harish Johari is an excellent teacher and author, who can explain in-depth and sometimes quite esoteric knowledge in an easy-to-understand and fun way. His books are always excellent and this is no exception. Having a long time interest in authentic Ayurveda and Tantra, I can definitely commend the explanations, diagrams and techniques here as being genuine, authentic and practical. I read and pratcised from the first edition many moons ago whilst my love for Ayurveda and Vedic spirituality through the Hare Krsna movement was blossoming, and I can tell you, you feel like you are taken from being a novice to expert after going through and putting into practise what is taught here, though practical, professional guidance is always recommended, you will definitely learn a lot from this book; the theory, amazing health benefits and the pratcical applications. Starting with guiding principles, Harish Johari goes further to explain the benefits of Tantric meditation, to whom, and with contraindications (when certain mental health problems would not benefit). The book is well illustrated and has sections on each chakra, with the characteristics, mantra, colours, what it affects and how to overcome the debilitating effects of weakened chakras. There is also an accompanying CD which is purchased seperately but is well worth the money that contains music and sounds for each chakra to help heal and open them up. In summary, this is a beautifully presented, well-written and crystal-clear explanation which makes this wonderful science and art truly accessible to the layman and also has great wisdom and facts for the practitioner!

Very helpful and easy to follow contents

Great book, arrived in perfect condition, ahead of scheduled time ! I teach Reiki , & this book ( my 3rd purchase, as students have borrowed previous copies ) is a goldmine of information :)

It’s a amazing book.

Simply loved this book