I found “Energy Anatomy: An Illustrated Guide to Understanding and Using the Human Energy System” by Mark Rich to be an interesting and informative read. The book discusses the energy we all possess and ways to understand and use energy productively. Rich draws on the books and teachings of Carlos Castaneda and Tom Brown, Jr., with whom I am familiar, and his own martial art, Qigong, and healing practices. I would have liked to read a bit more about Rich’s martial art and Qigong practice, because I have experience in both as well, but that’s a minor point.

The book is short, 149 pages, and easy to read. Rich writes in a personal style, and much of the book is based on his own beliefs and experiences, with only minor reference to other sources. Again, I would have liked to have read a bit more about his teachings and where he learned etc. There were also some of Rich’s experiences that are a bit difficult to understand, and I think some readers may dismiss some of this information. I would hate for someone to dismiss the entire book because of parts that are not understood, because I think there is a lot that we don’t understand about the energy that we all possess, and this book offers a perspective that will be a part of the whole. for many who study and work with the body’s energy systems.

The author explains how he came to energy work and a basic description of the Human Energy System as he teaches it. This includes an energetic core, energetic cones, energetic meridians, and what he describes as the complex of tubes and the bundle of strings. I personally haven’t “seen” these cones and tubes as the author suggests, but I do think it provides a “picture” when we think about our energy and its motion.

I really liked the chapter on health, because as someone who has studied martial arts and Qigong, I believe that energy is an important component of health and fitness. Rich provides some exercises throughout the text to help the reader better understand the Human Energy System. I haven’t tried all of these exercises, but I see where they can be worked on in a program of health, breath, and energy work. I don’t know if my own experiences, beliefs, and training agree with all of Rich’s, but that’s okay, they don’t have to. I appreciate his views and experiences, and I learned from them. There is a lot we don’t understand about our energy and how it works, and this book by Mark Rich provides guidance to better understand our energy. I recommend it to those who work in the human energy fields and those who want a different perspective of the Human Energy System.