Reviewed by K.J. Simmill for Readers' Favorite

The chakras are a fundamental part of the energy system, but their impact in everyday life is often overlooked or misunderstood. The aim of Susan Shumsky's The Big Book of Chakras and Chakra Healing is to dispel fiction and false beliefs while starting the reader on their journey of truth and understanding, including everyday applications. Be prepared for a journey into mind, body, and spirit, to learn about energies, and become more spiritually aware. This book is the first step on a never-ending journey of betterment, understanding, and growth.

I have been a practicing Reiki master / holistic therapist for over fifteen years now, and I am always seeking to further and refresh my knowledge because it is a path of continual learning and development. As the book rightly says, you can't just complete training and say you're an expert; after all, many dedicate their entire lives and still realize how little they truly know. Susan Shumsky's The Big Book of Chakras and Chakra Healing is an amazing, engaging, and insightful read for anyone seeking to look beyond the surface of what has quickly become a mainstream buzzword and fashionable statement. While the popularization of chakras has done it the service of returning it to the public eye, very few look into what they actually mean, represent, and affect. Even working with Reiki you are given just the basic understandings, but this book goes beyond that, and as such is an essential and informative read for anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge and understanding. I enjoyed the presentation of this book, how it made the topics and contents accessible even to those with little knowledge and built up from there. The way it also follows the author's own exposure and journey makes it easy for a reader to engage, stripping away the textbook feel many non-fiction, educational books possess. This felt like a personal read, involving the reader and drawing them into the author's life, while also delving deep into the topic and discussing many of its aspects.

I found the topics insightful and informative, rekindling old studies and offering new insights and perspectives. The author draws upon supportive literature and quotes to really help drive home a point, and instead of focusing solely on one aspect, takes into account a broad spectrum of religions, all which make the same fundamental point; the body is a temple. Those with a wide knowledge will enjoy seeing how this book brings everything together, and while it may seem overwhelming for a novice in places, it will be an amazing reference as skills and understanding develop. This book shows a well-considered presentation and care is taken to explain, nurture, and help the reader to grow. I rarely read non-fiction unless it is around this genre, and this is one of the most enjoyable and educational books I have read recently. It will certainly have a place in my library for years to come.