Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite

The road to personal empowerment can be rocky. This was certainly the case for Aiyahla Lo’Qtus, who describes her journey in Freedom: From Trauma to Conscious Power, which reveals how she awakened to the 16 Truths of Freedom. Despite being a successful fashion editor while still in her twenties in Rio de Janeiro, her life was not fulfilling. She describes a childhood in turmoil, with dysfunctional parents who lived a glittering lifestyle that masked the truth. She shares the ancestral trauma and patterns of mental instability in her family. She was a shy child whose health was fragile, and she went into meltdown after her mother’s suicide. A high-profile career, marriage, and motherhood did not provide answers. She reflects on patriarchy, parental expectations, romance, relationships, dealing with grief, material trappings, healing, and awakening to spirit. Other thoughts revolve around money as power, women in leadership roles, and issues of abandonment. As she grew into a more spiritual reality, she decided to help others change their lives. Collaboration with the Department of Justice in Brazil saw the formation of the Free Free organization in 2018, which aims to help all humanity, but in particular gives a voice to women. Through this, the author has touched many lives worldwide. She points out that we should look for love within and not rely on external validation. The author dissolves the illusion of separation, describing the awakening process and how to cope with it.

Freedom is a combination of memoir and spiritual guide for those healing trauma or looking for higher consciousness. Aiyahla Lo’Qtus shares her profound transformation from Yasmine to Aiyahla, her spirit name. She believes that we are much more than we have been told. Her story is free of blame and judgment, written to heal rather than attack. The memoir is illustrated with charming and high-quality photos, noting that the fashion industry is built on image and the illusion of the ideal woman. The book is a reminder that each soul has a different route to spiritual understanding and wholeness. It is about letting go of the ego and trusting the universe to build a new paradigm. It is also a reminder that the path of spiritual awakening is a difficult one. The journey is about finding personal identity, integrity, and freedom from stereotypical roles. There is a strong emphasis on women reclaiming their power. A final section of the book deals with questions relating to the 16 Truths. Themes such as abuse and trauma are dealt with sensitively and serve as a pathway to growth. Readers will learn much from this inspiring, insightful, and thought-provoking work.