Review: ‘Your Illustrated Guide To Becoming One With The Universe’ by Yumi Sakugawa

Yumi Sakugawa presents the reader with engaging and helpful guidelines on how to balance your life in her new book, “Your Illustrated Guide To Becoming One With The Universe.” If such a title did not exist before, it seems like it was only a matter of time before someone would use it. How nice that Ms. Sakugawa should enjoy that privilege. Any number of cartoonists could create something similar, and probably more should. What this book demonstrates is an authentic voice speaking to the little leaps of faith that we all wish to take.

The appeal and the strength of this work is how it seems to be so effortlessly put together and yet you can also appreciate the thoughtful attentions throughout. Sakugawa has created a number of self-published zines on meditation over the years and this book can serve as a distillation of her work.

There are key concepts, such as exercises in breathing, that Sakugawa provides a refreshing take on. Her light style is only part of the magic. There are numerous cartoonists with a light style. Her conviction sees her through. With one lesson from the universe after another, there’s an integrity that wins out. It’s through the simple act of breathing, as Sakugawa points out, that you are already expressing your inherent oneness with the universe. You read those words and then read the artwork and you want more.

You will find here nine lessons on tapping into the real you through simple and direct guidelines. If you are familiar with the work of Eckhart Tolle or just want a handy guide into metaphysical exploration, then you’ll want to seek out this book.

You know, after reading this little gem, I feel more at peace. I’ll be sure to visit it again. A cartoonist can create work about anything under the sun but here’s a book covering the whole universe! For the long haul on this here planet Earth, this book’s tranquil sincerity is most welcome.

“Your Illustrated Guide To Becoming One With The Universe” is a 160-page hardcover published by Adams Media and is avialable as of October 3. You can find here, here, and here.

Yumi is currently on a national tour with stops which include Austin, Brooklyn, and Los Angeles. For us here in Seattle, we look forward to seeing her on November 15th at the Short Run Comix and Arts Festival and at Elliot Bay Book Company on the 16th. For more details, visit Yumi here.