There are some really interesting concepts introduced in this book and I loved reading the anecdotes (or rather examples of experiences) that threaded throughout too. I would describe this book as a thinker - one of those that sits with you after reading, slowly drawing you back in to take a second peek...

As someone who has read a lot of books on spirituality, I believe it’s crucial to approach books like The Awakened Way with a healthy amount of skepticism. In today’s world, it’s easy to encounter spiritual teachings and practices that claim to have all the answers. I think it’s important to approach any spiritual or religious material with an open mind, free of judgment or preconceived notions. This allows for a more authentic exploration of the ideas presented, even if they don’t fully align with your own personal beliefs.

That being said, I genuinely enjoyed this book. What stood out to me the most was how the author avoided being preachy or overly dogmatic. It didn’t emphasize an all-powerful, all-knowing deity that we must pledge allegiance to. Instead, The Awakened Way is about fostering a connection with something greater, which can resonate with people from various spiritual backgrounds. I understand that the idea of spirituality can sometimes be off-putting for some, but I believe this book presents the material in a way that is accessible without demanding blind faith.

There are many valuable lessons in this book, but one that deeply resonated with me is the idea that our hearts are the best judges of whether a teaching is right for us. As we explore new ideas—whether in religion, spirituality, or any area of life—we must learn to listen to our inner guidance. From a young age, many of us are conditioned to ignore our gut feelings—the sense that something isn't quite right or the discomfort in our bodies. Some may even detach from their intuition for survival. We need to relearn how to trust these intuitive signals. If we’re wrong, we have the ability to adjust, but it's always wiser to be cautious than to ignore the warning signs. Personally, I’ve been both someone who ignored their intuition and suffered for it, and as a survivor of CSA, I learned to detach from my intuition in order to survive. It’s essential that we relearn to trust ourselves, especially if we want to break free from cycles of toxicity and abuse. I truly appreciated, especially as some who is neurodivergent, is how the author structures the book. Suzanne Giesemann explicitly states that there is no rigid order to the book, which I found particularly refreshing. For someone like me, who often struggles with the idea of needing to read straight through a book, it was liberating to know that I could pick it up and put it down without guilt. There’s no pressure to finish quickly or to absorb everything all at once. This approach is empowering, and it made me feel like I could engage with the material on my own terms.

The book is divided into two parts: one where the author shares her personal experiences and knowledge, and another that includes practical tools for meditation and mindfulness. This structure is something I deeply appreciated. Many spiritual books talk about the importance of connection, inner peace, and personal growth, but they often fall short by not providing practical steps on how to actually get there. The Awakened Way offers concrete practices that help guide you toward those spiritual goals. It doesn’t just talk about the journey—it gives you a starting point and tools to begin your own path. I find that incredibly helpful, as it removes the need to search for additional resources when you’re just starting out, and it ensures you don’t feel lost in the process.

I think one of the things that makes this book stand out is that it provides the foundational tools to build a spiritual practice, rather than leaving you to fend for yourself. So often, we come across books or teachings that are more about abstract concepts, but this one balances knowledge with action. It’s a reminder that while learning is important, having the tools to apply what we’ve learned is equally vital.

Additionally, I appreciated that the author approached these concepts with clarity and thoughtfulness, without ever suggesting that there’s only one "correct" way to practice or believe. It emphasizes the importance of trusting your own heart and intuition as you walk your own path, which I think is essential, especially in spiritual exploration.

For those who struggle with the idea of spirit guides or other metaphysical concepts, The Awakened Way still offers something valuable. Even if you don’t fully embrace the idea of spirits or otherworldly connections, the themes of intuition, trust, and inner peace are universal and can be applied to many aspects of life.

I really enjoyed this book, and found it to be incredibly profound and insightful. Those who have already "dabbled" in spirituality may find the concepts to be nothing new or groundbreaking, but Suzanne Giesemann's writing style is direct, clear, and accessible for those who may be more unfamiliar with these ideas. I respect that the contents were organized in a non-linear way, in that you can read it front to back or pick out particular sections that resonate at a given time.

More than anything, it was Suzanne's meditation methods that made this a 5-star book for me. For many years, I have tried to develop a consistent and effective meditation practice with limited success. Using her BLESS ME method in particular, I've been able to bring my practice to a new level and I'm so excited to see how it continues to develop.

I was brought to this book at this time in my life for a reason. I'm grateful for its impact on me, and for Suzanne's invaluable insights and wisdom. Thank you Suzanne, and thank you Sanaya!

"You are so very loved"

This will be a book I cherish and keep coming back to. Although I hadn't heard of the author Suzanne Giesemann before reading this book I found her extremely credible and her writing style is informative and easy to read. I did find the acronyms and names for certain aspects of spirituality quite challenging to get to grips with, but time with this book and the practices will surely help. Some of the concepts were also a bit difficult for me to understand but again I hope to gain a greater insight by using the practices in the book.
The author does suggest that the book can be read in any order you prefer but if you are quite new to the subject I do recommend reading the book through once in order because I find it very well structured as it is. Part one is all theory based whereas part 2 offers spiritual practices based on the theory.
I particularly enjoyed the practices on vagal breathing and chakra balancing and can see me using these as part of my everyday practice.
Overall I highly recommend this book for a practical and uplifting spiritual read.

Suzanne continues her insightful, deeply soulful commentary on how to live a meaningful life. Her ability to practically communicate spiritual principles in unrivalled, and the exercises contained in this book are clear and useful.

Interesting writing style and concepts presented in this book. There is no doubt that Giesemann wise in her presentation of this material and holds a sacred knowledge.

This book follows the story of how Suzanne became a channel, connecting with people who have passed over. There are many stories about connections she has made and reactions of people still living, as well as exercises that are straightforward to do. She is very credible and writes in a flowing, easy to follow way. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about the nature of consciousness and the higher self..

Thank you, Netgalley.co.uk, for a copy of this book.

The Awakened Way is a self help book that is focused on the idea that we are all programmed in a certain way. We are told how we should think, feel, act, by the "rules" we have been taught. But what if there is something other behind the rules? What if we open our minds and hearts to the universe and discover another side of ourselves?
I wanted to read this book as a means of understanding myself more clearly. I have tried so many times to make sense of what has happened in the past, to get to a positive place, where I can look forward to the future.
This book is not quite what I hoped it was, but that said, I'm sure it has helped many other people.
I will revisit it in the future as I am interested to understand it better. I think the reader needs to be in the right mindset, I'm not there yet.
For now, it left me feeling a little confused and it didn't really help me at this time. Maybe when I return to it I will find something inside that resonates.