I was given a complimentary copy of this text by New Harbinger Publishing and Lisa Campion in exchange for an honest review. Though I must admit that there is some bias that is innate prior to reading because I was attuned by Lisa last year, after reading her book The Art of Psychic Reiki. That being said, I will try and be as honest and authentic as possible while also being cautious of the fact that I greatly respect Lisa and don’t want to offend her.
First, I need to preface this review by stating that when I read Art of Psychic Reiki, it was like sitting across a coffee table with a friend and having a fun, easy-going, comfortable dialogue.
Immediately, the energy of the pages of Energy Healing for Empaths are quite heavy. I am not sure of the state Lisa was in when she wrote this book, but it doesn’t feel like a happy-go-lucky friend having an easy-going conversation about her spiritual passion, but rather a person who is going through a lot – something difficult, perhaps – and is using this book as a tool to release that energy.
As such, the book carries this energy with it. It feels like this book was a tool or a way to help her “explain” suffering or pain she might be carrying in the instance of writing it or help her release ties she formed. I do not know what the circumstances were while she was writing this book, I am just reflecting on the energy of it and how it reads. As such, it was not as enjoyable for me, and it was difficult to get through in one sitting.
The rest of my review will be in random notes, as I jot them down as I read.
- Highly Sensitive People are not the same as Empaths. It is said that only 2% of the world are *true* empaths, though with the word thrown around as loosely as the descriptor of “breathing human”, you would assume much more. The descriptors used to define “how you might be an empath” are so broad, I can imagine anyone who feels emotions reading and going, “Oh my god, that’s me!”
This is a problem I have with many “empath” books and the definition surrounding “empath” in general. I think the clarifier of “psychic” is helpful but should have been stressed even further because I can certainly tell you that 95% of the people who have “empath” in their Instagram bio aren’t psychic.
- I appreciate the emphasis on the physical ailments that plague empaths because I feel that really does stress how different circumstances are for *true empaths*. It’s not just about intuitively guessing what someone beside you is feeling, it’s about soaking in (if you are not trained in protecting yourself) the emotions and having them manifest as physical ailments. It’s *way* more intense than just a hunch.
- Letting go of the “victim identity” was probably my favourite part of the beginning of the book. How about letting go of using “empath” as an identifier *completely*? It’s become a personality trait rather than a term to define your gifts. It’s exhausting.
- Re: Anxiety, Depression, and Addictions – I don’t think it’s fair to say that empaths are more prone to this. I think anyone – especially those with a genetic history – are prone to these things. In fact, I think they’re more a representation of unhealed trauma rather than empathy traits. I think using empathy is victimization tactic and an “excuse” to avoid working on your anxiety, depression, or addictions. I really didn’t like this section, at all. I had anxiety and depression and I am an empath but they are not correlated. I had the former because of trauma I did not work to defeat. To reason away the work that needs to be put in by calling myself “extra sensitive” would be lazy. I think this section could do more damage than good.
- Chapter 3 – the section on Learrning to Protect Our Energy – is probably the most important chapter in the book, because if you’re not putting in the work and constantly victimizing yourself due to being an “empath”, well, then I roll my eyes at you because you exhaust me, and you’re likely just not invested in your own healing and enjoy the comfort of discomfort.
- That being said, I think that Chapter 4 – Our Dances With Energy Vampires – could be one of the most misused chapters in the book (by those who don’t like to put in the work). We cannot blame /every/ depletion on our energy and our emotions on the possibility of a psychic attack. Lisa stresses not playing the victim, but this chapter reads like an entire victimization chapter.
I think using “energy vampires” can become an excuse to not put in the work to discover what internal or traumatic or memory pieces might actually be causing us to be drained, upset, or “shook up”. I think it gives people an excuse to not dive deep into their healing. As a Reiki Master, a lot of what is spoken about in this chapter Lisa should know could actually be just past life or present trauma reaching the surface.
And I *HATE* the piece about energy vampires coming at you in your sleep when you’re “most vulnerable” — do you think your guides are just like, “Alright man, she’s asleep, we are off duty!” You are endlessly protected, even while you sleep. And giving people the idea that they can be attacked in their sleep will lead to a lot of insomniacs, in my opinion. Dangerous. - Chapter five was another super valuable chapter. I think I take back my comment on number three — this one was my favourite.
- Chapter 6 was interesting, but I feel like it will inflate the empath ego a little bit: “Oh, we are extra special and we form the most important bonds when we love people.” I think this book has amplified the bad taste that “empath” leaves in my mouth, to be honest haha.
The part about sex was interesting and I’m glad that she mentions that casual sex is not an empowering choice. Lisa mentions that Mystics say that that sex and death are two initiators into the world of transcendent experiences (did you know that the French call an orgasm “le petit mort” – the little death). I think this information, paired with the addictions section, could lead to a lot of people in unhealthy sexual situations under the guise of “well I’m an empath and I’m transcending” — glad to see that she followed it up with a warning. - Loved chapter seven — continue to play the victim and you become the energy vampire! This will be a hard chapter for many people to digest.
Overall, did I enjoy the book? Yes.
Would I recommend it to others? Yes, those who I feel will truly benefit, not those with “empath” in their IG bio.
Did I like it more than The Art of Psychic Reiki, no.
Would I warn people to be critical when reading and also be aware that there is a heaviness to the text that makes it a slower read? Yes.
Will I continue to support everything Lisa does with curiosity and open arms? Yes, because I can tell she’s just an all-around good person who has the best intentions at the heart of all she does.
3.5 out of 5 stars (keep in mind, I’m a very hard reviewer)
seeking celestial grace© 