Review by Chetan Arup of the newly-published book by Dhyani Maria Kovar, subtitled, A Step-by-Step Approach to Master Self-Awareness, Build Meaningful Relationships & Thrive in Your Personal and Professional Life with Proven Strategies
The Ultimate Guide to Emotional Intelligence
A Step-by-Step Approach to Master Self-Awareness, Build Meaningful Relationships & Thrive in Your Personal and Professional Life with Proven Strategies
by Maria Kovar (Dhyani)
Kindle: ASIN: B0F9459KDP
Paperback: ASIN: B0F9DR2K8T
ISBN-13: 979-8284489352
Independently published, Publication date: May 2025
Available from Amazon worldwide
In a world saturated with self-help books, The Ultimate Guide to Emotional Intelligence stands apart – not just as a guide, but as a deeply human, soul-stirring journey into the heart of emotional life. From the very first pages, the book gently but firmly dismantles the myth that emotional intelligence is merely a skill to be learned through techniques. Instead, it illuminates the truth: emotional intelligence is something we live – with our bodies, our silences, our breath.
One of the most unforgettable anecdotes recounts a powerful moment with a grief-stricken horse – a mare who had emotionally shut down after the loss of her companion. The author doesn’t impose healing but simply shows up, standing beside her in shared sadness. What unfolds is not a miracle, but a testament to the quiet, almost sacred power of nonverbal communication. No words. Just presence. And healing begins. It’s this subtle but profound understanding that runs through every chapter. Non-verbal cues – our posture, tone, breath, even our silence – are explored not as mere add-ons to communication but as the foundation of deep human connection. We are reminded that a mother’s embrace, a friend’s stillness, or a therapist’s attuned silence often carry more weight than any well-intended advice.
The book also offers actionable, beautifully-worded practices that feel more like invitations than instructions. One standout section encourages readers to expand their emotional vocabulary beyond the basic trio of happy-sad-angry. With terms like wistful, tender, and elated, the reader is nudged to build a personal lexicon of emotion – a map of the inner world that makes the invisible visible. In a culture that often values performance over presence, The Ultimate Guide to Emotional Intelligence is a deeply-needed reminder: we don’t need to do more to connect – we need to be more.
Author’s bio
Dhyani Maria Kovar has spent decades exploring the human mind and heart. She studied many humanistic approaches to healing, always curious about how we relate to ourselves and each other. In 1987, she met her spiritual master, Osho, and spent his final years close to him. After his passing in 1990, she carried his teachings forward with others – sharing meditation and therapy in Osho’s center in Pune, and guiding groups in Europe.
As a director at Osho Ko Hsuan School in England, she nurtured emotional intelligence and presence in children and staff alike. While living in England, she also met Zen master David Ferguson, with whom she experienced Kensho – the clear seeing of one’s true nature – in April 1999.
Maria’s life bridges spiritual insight with grounded, practical support for daily living. Since 2005, she has worked with Somatic Experiencing, deepening her understanding of how trauma shapes the nervous system and how people can find safety and resilience in their bodies again. Today, she continues to teach, write, and accompany people from many cultures on their journey back to themselves – always with warmth, clarity, and respect for each person’s unique path.
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