An Interview with Cyndi Dale

1. Your new book is Llewellyn's Little Book of Chakras, the first in the new Llewellyn's Little Book series. What exactly is a "little book?"

A "little book" is a relatively short book that covers all the nuts and bolts to educate you about a particular topic. While shorter than most topical books, a little book is jam-packed with data and exercises, assuring that the coverage of the subject is thorough, in-depth, and practical.

Personally, I'm thrilled that Llewellyn has come up with this concept. After all, whom amongst us isn't overly busy with the "tyranny of details" that runs our lives? Ironically, the magically esoteric is vital to our well-being, and knowing about the subjects that will be featured in Llewellyn's series can actually help us get on top of life's details and live more joyfully and powerfully. Just think. Since each is written by a different author, you gain the insight of extraordinary wise souls, all speaking from years of experience and offering in-depth wisdom. Indeed, within only one of these bite-size books, you can obtain all the basic knowledge needed about a transformative subject.

2. Why exactly are the chakras so important? How can they help us to live our best?

Interacting with the chakras is an incredibly effective and powerful way to transform a negative situation, create new opportunities, or enhance an already positive circumstance. This is because chakras are subtle energy organs. As such, they are able to convert subtle energy into physical energy and vice versa.

Think of it. How many of our challenges seem locked into our everyday lives or body? It's hard to budge a tumor, illness, or frustrating relationship. On the other hand, we might be missing what we materially desire or need. Money, loving friends, and a great home sure help make the world go around.

Physical reality is actually nearly entirely dependent on—and formed by—what is occurring in subtle reality. Through a chakra, you could help disappear a debt or attract a new job. You can open to the spiritual guidance needed to make a vital decision or even hold hands with an angel and experience the heavenly. In fact, all life areas can be improved through chakra work, from physical to psychological to spiritual—and it's because, as I stated, chakras can convert subtle energy into physical energy and vice versa. How can you best understand a chakra's energetic ability? The key is to understand the word "energy." Everything in this world is made of energy. Generically, I define energy as "information that vibrates." However, there are two basic types of energy. Physical energy moves in measurable ways. We can see, touch, hear, smell, and feel it. Subtle energy operates at speeds that move so fast or slow that we can't easily measure it. Whether or not we're aware of it, the situations present in our material lives are there because of what's occurring in the subtle world. In short, subtle energy serves as the structure that organizes material reality.

Chakras are body-based. Each is connected to an endocrine gland and many chakras are integrated into the spine. Because of this, what happens inside of a chakra impacts physical reality. Chakras also function on bands of energy that manage our psychological and spiritual selves. These functions involve both the physical and subtle realms. Because chakras manage every part of our existence, they serve as steering wheels for directing and improving all aspects of life. THAT'S why I love studying and working with the chakras!

3. Do you need previous experience with the chakra system to use Llewellyn's Little Book of Chakras?

Absolutely not! That's what makes the "little book" series so exciting. You can start from scratch with a topic and get up to speed quickly. And if you already understand or have worked with the chakras, Llewellyn's Little Book of Chakras is still an incredible find, sort of like a pearl in an oyster. I've put a lot of my personal experience into this gem, which means there are tips and techniques that can benefit everyone.

4. You also have another book coming out in May, Subtle Energy Techniques. This is the first book in the Cyndi Dale's Essential Energy Series. Can you explain the series, and the new book?

I am SO excited about the Essential Energy Series. It offers the "best of show" of everything I've learned, and processes I've developed, in my nearly thirty (thirty!) years in the business of energy medicine and intuitive healing. The concepts and techniques featured in this first book in that particular series are amazingly clear and easy to apply. You can use them to improve your own life, help loved ones, or to integrate subtle energetics into nearly any profession.

So, where did these subtle energy techniques come from? Everywhere. My studies and explorations have taken me into the jungle, desert, and mountaintops, where I've learned from shamans, natural healers, and intuitives. I've researched sacred and religious scripture; scientific research and textbooks; psychological concepts and applications; and gained knowledge through my own client experience. Having worked with about 65,000 clients, I've seen what works and what doesn't. And along the way, I've developed simple ways to positively support energetic change in myself and others.

Some of the processes showcased in Subtle Energy Techniques are reduced from my studies and others' teachings. I've arrived at others through my own intuition. I'm thrilled to be able to offer the concepts and techniques that can make a real difference in your life. As well, the ideas presented in this first book in the Essential Energy Series is great fodder for the next two books in the series, which focus on improving your clairvoyant and clairaudient skills.

5. How did you manage to write two books at the same time?(!)

Well, that's a feat, isn't it? The truth is that I didn't actually write two books at exactly the same time. If anything, being a single mom with sons that keep me busy, while holding down a full-time consulting and teaching practice, has taught me to write quickly. And edit frequently.

I wrote Llewellyn's Little Book of Chakras first and then turned it into Llewellyn for initial edits. (I'd already reviewed the manuscript half a dozen times to find my own errors.) Immediately afterward, I wrote the subtle energy book. By the time I'd finished the Subtle Energy Techniques manuscript, Llewellyn's Little Book of Chakras was ready for (more) edits. To think that when I learned to juggle oranges and tennis balls in college I was actually obtaining a useful life skill.

6. What do you hope readers will take away from Llewellyn's Little Book of Chakras and Subtle Energy Techniques?

My hope is very simple and two-fold. I want people to know that the power to positively impact their own life, and that of others, is inherent within them. The ultimate gift of the subtle energy system is that it connects you to your deeper self; also to a world of beings and beauty that stands by ready to support your goodness. I also want readers to understand that the activities involved in bettering their own lives are simple and can be integrated easily into their everyday existence.

Can growth really be simple? Let me tell you a story.

Years ago, a wise friend, near the end of his life, told me that there was one thing he wished that he had known sooner. "Really, simple is best. And all things from the Spirit are simple." While my books contain a lot of information, the concepts and practices are actually quite easy to understand and carry out.

To rephrase my hopes more prophetically, I would say this.

In the end, I hope that a reader will use these books to help transform their own world—and the greater world—to better reflect the truth of the goodness latent within us all.

About Cyndi Dale

Cyndi Dale is an internationally renowned author, speaker, and healer. She has written more than thirty books, including Energy Work for the Everyday to Elite Athlete. Her year-long apprenticeship program through her ...