• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • ABOUT
  • BLOG
  • EVENTS
  • SHOP
    • REBEL MILLIONAIRE
    • THE CONTENDERS
  • CONTACT

Peg Cheng

Author + Blogger + Teacher

May 7, 2020 By Peg Cheng

The Empath’s Journey by Ritu Kaushal

I learn so much from other people’s personal stories and love reading memoirs, autobiographies, and narrative nonfiction. When I read an especially good memoir, I marvel at how honest, revealing, and vulnerable the author is willing to be with me. The Empath’s Journey by Ritu Kaushal is one of those books.

The book’s subtitle describes it well: What working with my dreams, moving to a different country and learning about Carl Jung taught me about being an empath. It was fascinating to read about Ritu’s journey of moving from India to the U.S. and her many personal stories about how she learned she was a HSP (highly sensitive person) and empath, what her dreams revealed to her, and how those experiences and knowledge shaped her into the author-artist she is today.

As I was reading The Empath’s Journey, I felt like I was walking along a mandala-shaped labyrinth. I’m a fast reader but found that I couldn’t rush through the book like I usually do. Ritu’s language and imagery was so beautiful and rich that it literally made me slow down my mind as I read every sentence and paragraph like I was taking a mindful, meditative walk.

Instead of reading a chapter a day, I’d read part of a chapter and then give myself several days to let the stories and examples sink in. It took me two to three weeks to read each chapter and several months to finish the book. At first, I was alarmed that I wasn’t reading at my usual speed, but once I surrendered to this experience, I realized that this was what Ritu’s story was trying to teach me: slow down, take your time, notice what’s happening inside you.

Here’s an example of one of the many passages that I loved.

In the music of our dreams, in the dance of their stories, we can find these lost fragments. We just have to risk beginning the adventure, with its frightening, snarling creatures, with its breathtaking cosmic vistas. We have to decide to ride its crests to see where it takes us.

And another one.

Then, I think I can meet the world as it is instead of projecting nice things onto it, instead of believing that niceness will protect me from the turbulence of the world. I am learning now that the real harbour is inside myself and that what really protects me, in the end, is me.

Even though I haven’t been through the same external experiences as Ritu, I could relate to many of her inner experiences. I’m grateful to Ritu for writing so openly about her life. The Empath’s Journey made me feel seen, affirmed, and comforted.

If you’ve ever been labeled “sensitive” by other people, or told that you “take things too personally,” I think you’ll really enjoy this book. Get yourself a copy of The Empath’s Journey today. The journey of reading this book will be well worth your time.

ps. To learn more about Ritu and her creations, check out her site, Walking Through Transitions, and subscribe to her blog.

Peg Cheng is the author of Rebel Millionaire, a guide for how to retire as a millionaire even if you make a modest income, co-owner of Plaid Frog Press, and a career coach combining intellect with intuition. Born in Southern California to Taiwanese parents, Peg lives in Seattle.

Filed Under: Reading Recs

Primary Sidebar

Categories

Archives

Looking for something?

Latest Posts

Why I Created My NOODLE TACO Zine & Why You Should Create Zines Too

What I Was Able to Do After I Quit Social Media

Visit Me at Olympia Zine Fest on Sept 4!

I’m Back

Living the Intuitive Life Can Be Hard

Cubs Cheng’s Olympics Experience, Day 5

Cubs Cheng’s Olympics Experience, Day 4

Cubs Cheng’s Olympics Experience, Day 3

Cubs Cheng’s Olympics Experience, Day 2

Cubs Cheng’s Olympics Experience, Day 1

Footer

What people are saying…

Lizz Zitron, College Professor

The Contenders is the middle grade novel you’ve been waiting for: diverse characters who are funny and real. Eunice and her friends and family feel so real–they are flawed, kind, complex, a little mean at times, and just wanting to find their place in the world. Highly recommended for every middle school collection.

Jas Hothi, Author + Entrepreneur

I’ve done my fair share of personal finance reading and, well, Rebel Millionaire is probably the single best thing I’ve read. Why? So effortlessly simple and effective. As I’m about to turn 31, this is just the nudge I needed to start saving and investing for my future. Thank you, Peg, and Plaid Frog Press!

Laila Atallah, Career Coach

What I love so much about your writing is how personal it is. It gives me permission to accept and love my own humanity, while also giving really helpful tips and mindset shifts, and next steps too.

Copyright © 2023 · Workstation Pro On Genesis Framework