Book Review

Book Review

Awareness Journey 

Finding a Happy Place within 

The book Awareness Journey is very  

conversational: the writer has dialogues  

with his mentee, Ayushi. The readers walk  

along with Ayushi as she is hand-held by Selvan— her mentor—throughout the book. Selvan is a true  guide, who not only shows the right path to Ayushi  but also explains to her how to get there. The two  most important tools that Selvan gives her are fixed  gazing and conscious breathing. These two practical  tools are so powerful that their magical impact  seeps through all the gross and subtle layers of one’s  being. He also teaches her creative visualisation,  

Author: Selvan Srinivasan 

Publisher: Story Mirror Infotech Pvt. Pages: 326 

Kindle version: ₹225 

Paperback: ₹450

how to cultivate new habits, energy movements,  understanding body sensations and feelings,  practising gratitude, grounding, awareness tools,  and much more. 

Something noteworthy in this book is the concept  of ‘Finding a happy place within oneself,’ which is a  state of mind. Selvan calls this a state of being present  and grounded. He guides the readers through Ayushi,  in staying in that happy place. The conversational  nature of the book helps one understand the  perspective of the seeker as well. It also answers many  questions that arise in the mind of the reader while  assimilating the lessons from this book. 

The notes at the end of each chapter give a quick,  crisp, and comprehensive recap of the whole chapter.  This book is very wholesome as it clears up everything,  leaving no ambiguity in the mind of the reader.  It focusses on sharpening awareness to the extent  that one can separate themself from situations and  negative feelings, and observe themself as a witness.  

This process solves 80 per cent of the issues to start with.  The book also offers fresh and simple takes on topics  like healthy habits for daily living. Selvan has left no  stone unturned for Ayushi or the reader to learn and  grow tremendously. Apart from perfect words, he has  also used wonderful and easy-to-grasp illustrations to  demonstrate and teach breathing, posture, awareness,  and many other techniques. 

All in all, this is a very hands-on book, a practical guide  on expanding one’s awareness, which touches the heart  too. Selvan steps out of the seriousness of a mentor and  becomes a friend and guide when Ayushi addresses  him as Oogway from Kung Fu Panda. I loved the style  of writing and the way each lesson is explained in this  book. I highly recommend it to you, especially if you  are on the path of self-exploration, self-transformation,  and self-growth. 

—Navni Chawla