Because I was raised in a devoutly Christian home, I developed a great "understanding" of spirituality and religious doctrine. At the age of 14, I left the church, feeling that people's personal opinions and blind faith were far too much of the church's foundation. Now an adult, I'm returning to my spiritual roots, but not through the church.

I believe very strongly in people's ability to become aware of, and work with, their energy field. For this reason, I enjoy reading about chakras and meditations for healing and working with them.

I bought this book in a local book store and immediately dove in, hoping to find a personal connection with the author, and a few new exercises for the chakras. What I found was more than half the book dedicated to Keith Sherwood's spiritual quest, and not much at all about how a person can find their own spiritual center. At one point in Keith's life, he was a Pentecostal preacher... but left the church, feeling unfulfilled. To me, this was a warning. He has been in a position of spiritual leadership for some time, yet doesn't seem to have come to terms with his own spiritual destiny. He takes little pieces of many different religions and infuses them into his own. I think that many true seekers of spirituality do the same thing, and I don't have a problem with it, in and of itself. I do have a problem with those people claiming that their perspective is then the true way.

In summary, this book is better read as a spiritualists autobiography than as a guide for meditation and "Chakra Therapy," as the name strongly implies. That being said, proceed at your own discretion.


The Real Reality (without hugging trees)   June 3, 1998
 28 out of 28 found this review helpful

This book is a "must read" for anyone interested in the Truth. Recently, I spent 9 days in a higher state of consciousness during which time I had full awareness of my chakras. Afterwards, I read Chakra Therapy. The model presented in the book is exactly what I experienced. The author obviously speaks from a position of experience.

The book explains the "mechanics" of God, the Universe, and you. It is basically the yogic model with Christianity, Taoism, Buddishm, etc. overlayed without conflict (afterall, Truth is Truth). Recommendations: read the book and then re-examine your own belief system.

Warnings: do not try the yoga lock exercises mentioned in the book unless you have guidance from an experienced, trained yoga teacher.


insightful book on Chakras   April 19, 2006
 10 out of 10 found this review helpful

Despite the plethora of books on this subject it's hard to find one that's any good, i.e., helpful. There are traditional books with a lot of Sanscrit, which provide little useful guidance. There are a tons of oversimplfied new-agey books designed to make the reader feel good about themselves.

While the perfect book isn't there, I like this book a lot because it seems to be authentic, because it seems to come from the author's experience, rather than copying others and it strikes a balance between the other two extremes. It could have a little more specific information on the chakras and how to directly experience them, but if the readers get follow the exercises, will be lead to Higher things.

Progress with his system will require Work, and that means Work upon yourself. Not just reading. Not just intellectual understanding. Mr Sherwood gives out a lot of useful practical suggestions. It is fear that keeps most people from development, fear of the unknown, superstitution...

It does not bother me, as is mentioned in other reviews, if the author is eclectic and was, at some point a Pentecostal minister. Who cares? I'm eclectic myself, truth is found in many places. Many authors (and readers) will come from other traditions. Properly understood, these ideas don't confict with the practice of Christianity (or Islam, or Judaism, Taoism, Buddhism or any other religion). There is one God. Factional literalists and fundamentalists (of all religions) squable over doctrinal religious differences and this keeps them fighting on the lower part of the mountain. The mystical traditions of all the world's great religions eventually converge with the experience of something Higher, at the Top.

Be careful with the Pranayama.


An essential guide for healers.   September 8, 2000
 9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Now in its twelfth printing, Chakra Therapy, by Keith Sherwood, has proved itself as an essential guide for healers everywhere. Sherwood, a former minister, has trained with masters the world over and made the study of healing and human energy his life's work. He now teaches "a synthesis of Western therapeutic techniques, Taoist Yoga, and Tantra." Sherwood says that "human problems on all levels of causation--spiritual, mental, emotional and physical--are caused by contraction, the inability to radiate energy freely due to blockages in the human energy system." His book is designed to teach people how to release those blockages and fully utilize all the body's energy to heal themselves. He first presents a general discussion of the human energy system, and the ways in which it becomes blocked or fragmented. Sherwood maintains that most blockages are rooted in fear, and that the only effective way of overcoming fear is to confront it. Doing this requires honesty and courage. He says that "honesty is the willingness to see things as they truly are, not as you would like them to be. Courage is the willingness to accept what you see." Neither of these are easy, and he devotes a whole chapter to "becoming fearless." Following a chapter on the physical body, Sherwood then defines and discusses the role of the subtle bodies: the astral body, the mental body, and the causal body in energy therapy. Humans have seven primary chakras, which are energy centers located along the spine and head. Sherwood points out that the chakras must "all be open and in balance if a person is to experience wholeness and unconditional joy." The chakras in most people are blocked and unbalanced. The second half of the book contains a full description of the role of each chakra and how it can become blocked, followed by meditations and exercises for unblocking and clearing the chakra. He also includes several exercises designed to facilitate the flow of energy throughout the whole body. Sherwood promises that Chakra Therapy will help you "learn how to heal yourself by healing your energy system . . . because it is energy in its myriad forms which determines a person's physical health, emotional health, mental health and level of consciousness." Readers will find that he keeps his promise.

Nancy Lorraine, Reviewer


Excellent, Easy to Read Chakra Book   November 15, 2006
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I'm currently studying for a Master's Degree in Metaphysics. I read SO many books on so many different topics in this area, as well as many more spiritual, metaphysical areas. I have to say, this has been my most enjoyable text book and course to date. The Chakra Therapy course I'm enrolled has just one book (this book) for this course which surprised me since most of my courses come with two, three or four text books. It's all I need! It covers every area in the Chakra, Prana, Aura areas and more. As a text book is is very knowledgeable. But, for enjoyment, I will go back and read it again! Well written, easy read. If you're interested in learning about the chakras and how they effect your daily life and then taking it further and clearing your chakras to improve your life dramatically, you can't find better than this book!