Awakening Shakti: The Transformative Power of the Goddesses of Yoga Paperback – February 1, 2013

Amazing book/guide

Since beginning to read this book, I have called, texted, e-mailed, Facebook shared and told in person, every woman I know that this book is something they would benefit from reading. The way feminine power is viewed as not only positive but necessary in the Hindu cosmology is so good for women of the Western world to recognize, it can be life-altering. Those parts of ourselves that we in the West are taught to repress are instead exalted in Hindu cosmology because they are viewed as aspects of the one Ultimate source of all that is, the goddess Shakti, who broke herself into tiny pieces from the one whole, giving us the illusion of separateness when in fact we are unified on a personal level (all aspects of ourselves) and on a cosmic level (we are the stuff that stars are made of).So instead of repressing our sexuality so that we are not branded as sluts or told that we "deserve what happens to you" when you express said sexuality in dress or in other ways, that aspect has its own goddesses who are celebrated and honored for those very qualities. There are avenues of expression such as devotion to one's spouse or lover, or other outpourings of expressions of love that are available and again, worshipped and wished for, as opposed to here where those longings remain secret on behalf of both men and women.Here in the America most women are taught to repress their anger lest they be deemed "bitches". But Durga is worshiped in India exactly because when she gets angry, legions of people, entire countries, are saved from horrible fates by the compassion her righteous anger represents and delivers.The Hindu goddesses serve as archetypes representing aspects of ourselves, all of which come together to make us whole. We need all sides of ourselves to fully function in order to fulfill our life's purpose. The repression of anger and sexuality takes out of play two very powerful energetic forces for change in our lives and in the world. This book discusses ways of looking at ourselves that bring understanding and eliminate shame embedded in our psyches by the conditioning of our cultures.This book is an opportunity to heal some of the wounds our conditioning has inflicted. I invite all women and their male consorts to get a copy and read so that you may begin to recognize which archetypal energies you manifest naturally, which ones have met with societal resistance and led you to repress them, and which ones could serve you if you are lacking them, so that you may be a more fully realized person having a more complete life experience.Blessings on your journeys :-)

I'm moved to write a review of this book because of the powerful shifts it is helping to create in my life. Other reviewers have expertly explained the contents and the value of the exercises. I have only to add that the author's own deep spiritual work (and perhaps the energies of the goddesses themselves) create the effect of love emanating from every page. Kempton is able to see the gifts of each goddess (and thus every personality type in the human spectrum) clearly and without bias. She says she is a Saraswati woman, but she describes that goddess with no more or less devotion than she offers Lakshmi, Kali, or Lalita: all are revered and welcomed. The exercises and meditations she offers feel deeply relevant for the issues each particular goddess raises in one's own experience -- no cursory work here. The effect is that one can actually identify with each of the energies being presented and truly "find oneself" through communion with each goddess.There's no "woo-woo" factor here: Kempton doesn't insist we believe in goddesses as beings in the sky. This could just as easily be a positive alternative to the Myers-Briggs or the Enneagram, particularly for women. Of course, she doesn't dissuade us from conceiving of them as actual goddesses, either; giving us the gentle reassurance that inviting them into our lives will indeed make a difference.I'd particularly recommend this book to women in transition, whether that's college graduation, about to embark on motherhood, menopause, the empty nest, or moving toward the end of life. It's comforting and freeing at once. Bless you, Sally Kempton, for putting so much love, life energy and responsible reporting into this project. You are truly changing lives.

This is one of my favorite books. I do not need another book on mediation. The author is so awesome in her descriptions and offers exercises that may have a profound effect on the reader. I have experienced shifts in my life whenever I follow any of these exercises or mediations. I loved the way the book opens your mind to different ways of seeing the world. You really must read it cover to cover to understand. I am rereading this book a lot. I have shared with friends but they have to get their own copy because it really is a reference. I have read a lot of books on spirituality and meditation and this is my favorite. I am not sure if this author has many other books but I highly recommend this and any other books Sally Kempton has wrote. She writes from experience, and if you do read it you will know what I mean when I say this author gains the reader's trust through this book. This book can help restore a sense of true empowerment in women but it is so much more than that, because it is not just for women.

It is an interesting read but I am not sure whether all these things can be used practically in everyday life. There are meditations that for sure can work but I am not sure if it is too transcendental.