Dr Haseena Chokkiyil – author of The Kintsugi Moms, an introduction
Dr Haseena Chokkiyil, before anything else, poses herself as a mother and that helps all those who come to her for advice, suggestions and counselling (mostly women). And from those sessions, interactions and conversations on a wide range of issues that women have to face, Dr Haseena has managed to carve out a book – The Kintsugi Moms. The book has been popular among readers who want to understand the concept of holistic healing, getting rid of negativity to thrive in their lives and understanding the root causes of suffering, emotional breakdowns and their possible connection with one’s physical health. To cut short the introduction to the book, The Kintsugi Moms is a collection of eight real-life stories of women who had to suffer serious issues in their marital lives, take care of children alone, and manage their emotional and mental well-being. The sessions and conversations with Dr Haseena, a holistic healer and a homoeopath, also feature in those stories from the author’s point of view.
Experiences make us what we are over the years. The same can be said about Dr Haseena Chokkiyil. Her personal life can be read in glimpses in the introduction to the book. Her expertise as a counsellor can also be seen in the assessment of the events that are featured in the first part of the book (in the real-life stories of different protagonists). Moreover, the knowledge, the understanding of the relationship between internal and external well-being, and her suggestions for the improvement of one’s conditions in the form of simple exercises, Yogic actions, breathing exercises and so on… in the second part of the book – everything throws light on her authenticity, knowledge, authority and (surprisingly) honesty as a writer. Many authors tend to take a holier-than-thou position while writing about spiritual and self-help subjects. Dr Haseena, on the other hand, does not turn her back on her truths. This quality must resonate with her readers.
Technically, as an author, Dr Haseena’s new-found occupation, she is wise in the division of the book, illustrious in the division of the chapters, and eloquent (but lucid, at the same time) in the exhibition of her linguistic skills. Anyone who starts reading the book must feel a pull into the language of the second part of the book. In the first part, it is all about the stories of the women who came in touch with Dr Haseena to come out of their miserable, broken, and shattered state of mind (with one exception). Even though she has taken inspiration from real-life incidents and sufferings, her language skills are visible. More than the linguistic prowess, nevertheless, the skills of presenting the events and narrating the state of mind of the protagonists are commendable. Throughout the book, in short, Dr Haseena’s writing skills are appreciable.
The Kintsugi Moms, as a debut book, presents the case of the author very well. While Dr Haseena could have chosen to bring out only the self-help side of holistic healing as a concept, she chose to bring out the seamy side of society as well. It adds weight and importance to the concept of mental and emotional well-being (inner well-being) while making the readers aware of the conditions that do need to change in our society. She has wisely chosen to use her work to disseminate the richness of holistic healing and make readers aware of small exercises they can bring into their lifestyle and get rid of negativity and throw the emotional baggage away. However, she has also used her debut work to show solidarity with single, courageous and brave mothers who are ready to stay in the fight, recollect their broken pieces and make themselves a whole new being!
You can read more about The Kintsugi Moms here – The Kintsugi Moms by Dr Haseena.
Puja for The Last Critic
