Introduction to Spirituality: A Beginner’s Guide to New Age Beliefs and Spiritual Practices

by Nicola Hayley

Get a guided tour of the world of new age spirituality

Ever wondered what channelling is? Or wanted to understand how meridians work? Maybe you've struggled with meditation, or found yourself contemplating your karma.

Whatever you're curious about, whether it's breathwork, qigong, energy work or astrology, you'll discover more enlightening details within these pages.

Dive into the world of spiritual practices and new age beliefs in this visual guide, packed full of simple explanations and practical exercises.

Emerge with a solid understanding of the basics of over 100 topics, including manifestation, life purpose, journaling, yoga, auras and Reiki.

Other subjects you'll encounter include:

Soul mates and twin flames
Angels and guides
Vision boards
Chakras
Meridian tapping
Intuition
Astral projection
Shadow work
Spiritual bypassing
Kundalini
Acupuncture
Sacred geometry

568 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 27, 2024

About the author

I've been exploring my spiritual side in one way or another since I was a child, ever since I first came across my mother's book on sun signs and astrology.

From astrology to meditation, intuition to connecting with nature, Reiki to qigong, tarot to essential oils, I've been finding my own way in this wild world for years, trying almost every new age modality along the way.

I also happen to be very practical, and not a huge fan of fluff, rituals or doing what I'm "supposed" to do, and my unwillingness to conform has served me pretty well.

Apparently, my big life lesson this time around is about learning to trust and follow my inner guidance. Still working on that one.

I love translating my knowledge into practical skills and outcomes, bringing spirituality down to earth, while helping to bridge our inner and outer worlds.

I want to share what I've learned about spirituality along the way, including how to create a version of spirituality that's unique to you, in a very practical, hands-on kind of way.

Reviews

[Marissa F · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inch deep and a mile wide in the best way. This book covers a lot of ground at a surface level… kind of like taking a European Whirl-style tour, where the goal is to see just enough of each location to decide if you want to come back and spend more time there in the future.

I like how the book is organized, with the most mainstream topics first, building to the more "woo woo" ideas toward the end. I appreciated how Hayley indicated which practices were lifted from other cultures and encouraged readers to do more research into the culture of origin in order to better understand the practices.

I found some typos which led to a bit of confusion (the section on psychic skills in particular) and I do wish some topics had been delved into a LITTLE deeper because I felt like the basic information didn't really tell me much. For example, the section on Sacred Geometry had several helpful photos but didn't really explain why any of it mattered.

Overall, I'm glad I read this book. I appreciate BookSirens and the publisher for access to a digital ARC. My honest review is my own opinion.

[RxReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a comprehensive introduction to the world of spirituality, covering a wide array of topics from channeling to acupuncture. What sets it apart is its simplicity; complex subjects are broken down into digestible bits, and the straightforward approach helped me grasp concepts I once found intimidating.

Personally, I found the practical exercises provided for each topic particularly helpful, allowing me to engage with the material on a deeper level. However, while these exercises are beneficial, I wished for more guidance on integrating them into a cohesive spiritual routine. Nevertheless, whether you're a beginner or have some experience with spirituality, this book offers valuable insights and guidance to aid you on your journey.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tenielle Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have recently started dipping my toe into it spirituality and this book was just the perfect jumping off point. The book covers a vast amount of spiritual ideologies and the information is provided in such a way that is comprehensive and concise. Each section provides some general information and also direction on how concepts can be put into action and made part of your daily spiritual practice.

Some areas resonated with me more and those I have marked for more exploration, something that is very much encouraged in the book.
The book is exactly what I needed. It’s a great reference for beginners to return to again and again to explore new areas of spirituality with great references for further reading and study. Nikki has done a lot of work in finding a spiritual practice that is unique to her and encourages readers to do the same. I am excited to carry on with my spiritual journey, and would highly recommend this book to novices like myself.

[Rachael Crabb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading "Introduction to Spirituality" by Nicola Hayley was enlightening and perfectly aligned with my spiritual nature. Hayley breaks down complex spiritual concepts into simple, relatable pieces, making it easy to absorb and reflect on.

Her exploration of meditation and energy healing resonated deeply with me, offering practical tips I could incorporate into my daily routine. The book's emphasis on personal spiritual journeys reassured me as I navigate my own path, embracing various practices that bring me peace and inspiration.

Overall, this book provided valuable tools and insights to deepen my spiritual practice. If you're looking for a guide that respects your individuality and encourages exploration, Nicola Hayley's book is a wonderful starting point.

[Angela Rohde · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent place to begin your own hero’s journey!

Nicola Hayley’s book, Introduction to Spirituality: A beginner’s guide to new age beliefs and spiritual practices, is a beautifully accessible resource for those who feel a pull to explore the world of spirituality for whatever reason: to heal from trauma, to cultivate inner peace, to improve relationships, to get back to nature, to connect with self, to find meaning and purpose in life, to improve physical health, to be a better human, or maybe to investigate if there really could be more beyond our earthly existence.

There are innumerable books out there related to specific models of spirituality, but Hayley’s book is different in that it covers a range of spiritual and New Age topics and does not advocate for any one over another. Rather, it is an indispensable reference book discussing the many spiritual practices and New Age beliefs out there that one can choose to follow. Hayley gently asserts in her introduction that there is no right or wrong way to be spiritual as spirituality is deeply personal, and so the reader gets to choose what they believe and what is right for them. Finding what one seeks for the soul is a process, a process that can involve trial and error, but Hayley is the reader’s friend in this process. A non-judgemental and compassionate voice, Hayley simply outlines the various paths the reader can take to find a unique version of spirituality that works for them.

The reader will find an abundance of spiritual and New Age concepts to explore and try out within these pages. While impossible to list them all here, Hayley’s impressive range of topics covers everything from acupressure to awakening, chromatherapy to cupping, kinesiology to kundalini, homeopathy to ho’oponopono, palmistry to pendulums, smudging to synchronicity, nature spirits, mindfulness, moon phases and much much more. While each topic is not covered in depth, enough of the basics are given and Hayley offers practical tips on what to do next should a particular practice sound appealing.

This is a book I will keep going back to. An eye-opening and enjoyable read, I initially devoured it cover to cover, which gave me a broad overview of what spiritual practices and New Age concepts are out there (some I had never even heard of or knew only a little about), but this book has become an irreplaceable part of my commitment to self-care; whenever I feel the desire to tend to my inner spiritual garden I know I can open it up and explore whatever speaks to me in the moment. I highly recommend this book to those looking for a no-fuss guide exploring spiritual practices and possibilities, and those ready to work towards cultivating inner peace. This book is an excellent place to begin your own hero’s journey!

[Paige Medynskyj · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great intro book. It covered a lot of topics briefly and allows you to go back to look things up. I know I will be going back through some of the chapters. I also appreciated the list of books to further explore into the topics.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow there are a lot of spiritual practices out there!

Even though the author didn't go into much detail in the topics it was still enough to capture your interest and know where to go next.

It was a nicely organized book, and an easy read. It's definitely a book that can go on the shelf for reference to come back to again.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kourtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a very intresting read and I loved it definitely recommend reading it.

[Pamela Hurd]

so far so good

[Jojo Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this and learned some new things, I would definitely recommend to any starting on a spiritual journey

[Avril Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of the book through Book Siren.
I've been diving into Spirituality for over 15 years now and have practiced &/or received readings/healings from practitioners of many of the topics discussed in the book.. This book is a great introduction into the myriad modalities. A helpful way to understand the breadth of the subject before diving into what resonates with the reader.

[Lauren Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I would describe it as the ultimate bible of spirituality, a great starting point & a great book to refer back to.
It has been written in a very clear concise point form & is an easy read.
Loads of information & presented in an unbiased way.
Highly recommend either as a gift or for yourself, a great starting point in your journey in spirituality.

[Emma Mildon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a superb introduction and new age reference over view for anyone seeking judge free spiritual guidance. The book helps you take your own lead and follow your own souls truth. Eloquently written and referenced. Educational and enlightening…