Crystal clear

Crystals — A Relationship by Dr Gulrukh Bala. Published in 2001 by Suman Book Centre, 88 Princess Street, Bombay 400002. Pp: 87. Price: Rs 75.

Step aside Swarovski, Dr Gulrukh Bala is here. A ‘crystal thera­pist,’ aroma-therapist and a holistic lifestyle educator, Bala has put forth an 87-page handy book which may not present crystals with elegance, but certainly with more erudition, and hence — believe it or not! — greater enticement than a Swarovski cata­log. For, at the end of the read, most readers would want to own a crystal, or probably more than one of the 28 crystals outlined by her, depending on one’s needs.

Crystals — A Relationship is a very simple, stick-to-facts read. The author defines a crystal, and through the first chapter (almost half the book) introduces the reader to the many differ­ent types of crystals from amethysts and agates to topazes and turquoises. Each crystal is simply defined, followed by what it does for the wearer. The benefits of crystals, as one discovers, are manifold, and, if one has to believe them, then maybe a crystal a day would keep not just the doctor, but many a surgeon and the moneylender as well away!

The book goes on to tell the reader how to choose the right crystal (with assistance from Bala, we suppose), ‘program’ the crystal so that it works for one, and even how to ‘cleanse’ the crystal. It can all be rather complicated, but Bala’s simple style, makes it all seem rather easy.

Bala: presenting crystals with elegance

The book is illustrated with 16 color pages showing 31 crystals in different sizes and shapes — none of which look attractive (though, they may be true to color and type). But then, as in relationships, beauty, as we know is just skin-deep.

The book should certainly help a lay reader in discovering which crystal (or gem, as lay persons would know them) is the right type, depending on one’s requirements, and also on one’s star signs. For the sceptics, there are the mandatory case stud­ies which narrate how Bala through her crystal healing workshops and healing sessions has helped people overcome their troubles.

The next time one spots a heavily bejeweled person, dripping with ruby rings and peridot pendants, don’t assume that here’s a specimen flaunting wealth — you could be witnessing a person fraught with ailments and saddled with negative energies!

H. J. R.