Review of The Emotional Alchemy of Healing
Posted: 13 Jun 2024, 09:47
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Emotional Alchemy of Healing" by Rachel Marie Rabatin.]
This is gold.
If you're aching from a breakup or the loss of a loved one, The Emotional Alchemy of Healing: Finding a Way Forward When Life Changes by Rachel Marie Rabatin is the book for you. Even in the absence of a huge loss, anyone stuck or struggling with painful emotions will find solace within its pages.
Having already written a book about dealing with grief, the author found herself confronted with unexpected changes after the loss of a dream. She channelled her experiences into a work aimed at helping and supporting others to move through and overcome loss. As a result, the book combines a personal narrative with evidence-based practical advice, and it's a winning combination.
The inclusion of Rabatin's own story means that she isn't simply listing self-care tips that could easily be googled. Rather, she shares her personal experiences of being buoyed up in a flotation tank or engulfed by the vibrating beats of a sound bath. In line with the book's themes of personal empowerment, Rabatin notes that rather than passively receiving a massage, one can benefit more by proactively making requests of the massage therapist. I had never thought of doing this and will remember to try it.
So although grounded in scientific knowledge, this book isn't about simply learning in the abstract: it's about taking action. Some of the reflection questions in the recurring "Tricks for Your Emotional Alchemy Bag" sections had me grabbing a pen immediately. I've already started some of the suggested daily routines, which has helped me gain more control in an overwhelming situation.
I can therefore testify to the fact that this book is empowering, and above all, positive. Rabatin emphasizes the importance of facing and feeling pain but then moving through it to make the best of even the most dreadful circumstances. This book can support a powerful transformation.
Accordingly, it's written in a strong, direct style. Here's an example: "Being who you are unashamedly? F*ck yeah! But that does require you to have the right support." (Quote from Chapter 3 of The Emotional Alchemy of Healing by Rachel Marie Rabatin. Note: The profane word has been formatted to reflect this site's auto-censoring.) This emphasis on the importance of picking the right people to be vulnerable and authentic around highlights another strength of this book. It is grounded in reality, and Rabatin acknowledges possible objections to some techniques. It is rightly prefaced with a disclaimer advising readers to seek professional advice where appropriate.
All of this demonstrates a thoroughness which also showed in the editing of the text, which was done to an exceptionally high standard, as I found no typos or other errors. The book generally focused on grieving a death or a breakup and could have included more specific advice about other losses. However, it was easy to adapt and personalize the content to different situations. No additional material is necessarily needed, as I appreciated the book's conciseness and found it so compelling that I almost read it in one sitting. It has no notable shortcomings, balancing a personal essay with valuable and well-grounded advice, all delivered in a clear, coherent style in which the author's warmth and compassion come across. Given all these strengths, it merits a shining five out of five stars. I will refer to it again soon to work through more questions or discover tools for smelting the gold from the rawest emotions.
******
The Emotional Alchemy of Healing
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
This is gold.
If you're aching from a breakup or the loss of a loved one, The Emotional Alchemy of Healing: Finding a Way Forward When Life Changes by Rachel Marie Rabatin is the book for you. Even in the absence of a huge loss, anyone stuck or struggling with painful emotions will find solace within its pages.
Having already written a book about dealing with grief, the author found herself confronted with unexpected changes after the loss of a dream. She channelled her experiences into a work aimed at helping and supporting others to move through and overcome loss. As a result, the book combines a personal narrative with evidence-based practical advice, and it's a winning combination.
The inclusion of Rabatin's own story means that she isn't simply listing self-care tips that could easily be googled. Rather, she shares her personal experiences of being buoyed up in a flotation tank or engulfed by the vibrating beats of a sound bath. In line with the book's themes of personal empowerment, Rabatin notes that rather than passively receiving a massage, one can benefit more by proactively making requests of the massage therapist. I had never thought of doing this and will remember to try it.
So although grounded in scientific knowledge, this book isn't about simply learning in the abstract: it's about taking action. Some of the reflection questions in the recurring "Tricks for Your Emotional Alchemy Bag" sections had me grabbing a pen immediately. I've already started some of the suggested daily routines, which has helped me gain more control in an overwhelming situation.
I can therefore testify to the fact that this book is empowering, and above all, positive. Rabatin emphasizes the importance of facing and feeling pain but then moving through it to make the best of even the most dreadful circumstances. This book can support a powerful transformation.
Accordingly, it's written in a strong, direct style. Here's an example: "Being who you are unashamedly? F*ck yeah! But that does require you to have the right support." (Quote from Chapter 3 of The Emotional Alchemy of Healing by Rachel Marie Rabatin. Note: The profane word has been formatted to reflect this site's auto-censoring.) This emphasis on the importance of picking the right people to be vulnerable and authentic around highlights another strength of this book. It is grounded in reality, and Rabatin acknowledges possible objections to some techniques. It is rightly prefaced with a disclaimer advising readers to seek professional advice where appropriate.
All of this demonstrates a thoroughness which also showed in the editing of the text, which was done to an exceptionally high standard, as I found no typos or other errors. The book generally focused on grieving a death or a breakup and could have included more specific advice about other losses. However, it was easy to adapt and personalize the content to different situations. No additional material is necessarily needed, as I appreciated the book's conciseness and found it so compelling that I almost read it in one sitting. It has no notable shortcomings, balancing a personal essay with valuable and well-grounded advice, all delivered in a clear, coherent style in which the author's warmth and compassion come across. Given all these strengths, it merits a shining five out of five stars. I will refer to it again soon to work through more questions or discover tools for smelting the gold from the rawest emotions.
******
The Emotional Alchemy of Healing
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
It sounds like a book that not only comforts but also empowers readers with tools to feel stronger. Thanks for sharing your thoughts so clearly! 