Transitions Bookplace

I love this place.
They have great books, best teas in the City, all kind of free workshops stunning jewelry and huge natural healing stones and art work collection.
It is a great place to buy a unique gift or card.
Staff is super friendly.

I wondered in because I know it’s there and I pass it by a lot and I like incense occasionally. Inside is a serene space with relaxing music water fountain noises in the background.
I thought I could easily find a book about motivation. Just kind of putting thing that are important first, not procrastinating things like that. I couldn’t find them unless I totally forgot all the science and rational thinking that I have.
First of, I don’t believe that knowledge comes when you just think about it and universe gives it to you. It doesn’t work like that.
Then what will make me never return again is the section «Quantum Consciousness». I have a physics degree. I know physics and math. It’s hard, and sometimes boring and full of numbers and theories and more math and did I mention that it’s really really hard?
So the whole section is about random stuff like field theory and the movie that makes my blood boil «What the bleep do we know?»
It pretends to make you understand quantum mechanics. You will not know quantum mechanics after this movie. Its pure crap.
The only relatively not insane book was Brian Green on String theory. You know what also? String theory is full of equations and really long proofs. I’m sorry, but you will not know string theory by watching some dvds and reading a book. It takes years and years of math and physics.
Also, a quantum is a really really really small amount of energy «realeased» by an electron. It has nothing to do with consciousness. Never will.

Great bookstore for all your spiritual needs. Lots of fluff, tons of great stuff. Café serves good food and drink. Atmosphere is quiet and ambient. Regular events, films and other media are offered here.
Anyone who calls Yoga, Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, Vedanta and Taoism «new age» is truly out of touch with the reality that these spiritual systems are older than Christianity. The emergence of these in Western culture exhibits a «fed up ness» with story book religions and the inherent dualisms that they exude.
Transitions also has books and videos about current world, political and social viewpoints. You will find books by David Icke, Jim Marrs and other authors.
There are sections containing many of the works of Aleister Crowley, Robert Anton Wilson, magick, the templar nights, etc. They have sections on entheogeinc plants and experiences, atomic theories of existence, quantum physics, alternative health modalities, etc.
Transitions has lectures and classes including teachings of meditation, yoga, tantra, philosophy and other such educational stuff. A lot of the talks are crappy, but there are lots of good speakers. Deepak Chopra has spoken here as have many nationally recognized teachers of health and hollistic medicine.
Transitions is definitely a center for the awakening of consciousness. I

I’ve heard a lot about this bookstore for years, but the first time I actually made it there was about three days ago.
It was pretty much just like an expanded version of the Borders or Barnes and Noble Metaphysical section. Honestly there wasn’t much that was special, with the exception of all the pretty glitzy asian and southeast asian trinkets, stationary and statuettes.
A turn off were all the diet books inundating me when I first walked in. I know that’s what sells nowadays, and Chicago is the birthplace of Oprah the brand name, so this kind of pop-​psychology, lose-​your-​ass-​gain-​your-​life, enlightenment lies only in the east-​type mentality fits right in here. But it still irks me.
However, they get three stars because they are unique, and well known.

A great place to find books on meditation, crystals, and other New Agey delights. The staff is helpful and there is easy parking.

Suppose that you fall into one of two camps:
A) People who think new age, motivational, inspirational, self-​help books and artifacts are hoaky, cheesy or down-​right misleading, moneymaking schemes by those making a quick buck off of depressed people;
B) People who are actually actively in the new age community, the recovery community or who really do believe in auras and chakras and QiGong and all of these things.
Well, I happen to be part of camp A. That incredible bias forces me to view Transitions through a narrow lens. I find it incredibly hoaky. The café is constantly filled with the sounds of inane conversations about aliens, or evolution, or power and energy. Magic helmets to protect the Qi. Things like that. It’s an outcropping of yuppie-​ism — people with too much money but no meaning in their lives, which deserves its place and which some of us cruelly find humor in as an artifice of a subculture to which we would abhor to belong.
However, if you are part of camp B and think I was incredibly demeaning and assholish earlier in this write-​up, then we must assess:
Is Transitions fulfilling your needs as a New Ager, or someone just looking for some inspiration?
Well there are folks in there who will tell you they find new inspirations there every day. They come in like clockwork at 9ish in the morning, stay till close and tell everyone they meet about some new devotional text, or how the mixed greens or the chili at the café is the greatest most healthful food in the world.
Those people are by and large, out of their minds.
However, if you are part of camp B, and are not out of your mind, then we still have left to see if Transitions is right for you. I think it is in some ways and perhaps not in other ways. Do not be fooled — Transitions is run by staunch capitalistic principles. But it may not be too overpriced. After all (as others have mentioned): it is an independent bookseller — so things are not cheap and can’t be so cheap. The café is nothing special — it works pretty much the way all other coffeehouses do. The guest speakers are ok some of the time but a lot of the time they just quote to you aloud out of their own books and wax in their own glory. I find that incredibly belittling of the audience.
There are the requisite things: tarot sets, buddhas, bells, incense, tantra, karma, yoga books, etc.
After looking over these things, I decided to give it 3 stars for those who are part of camp B. Those who are part of camp A would not enjoy too long of a stay at all and a rating has little meaning for them (except perhaps a laugh). Again, for B-​ers, it has the things you want but it isn’t the greatest place in the world, and there’s probably cheaper stuff on amazon. There are probably all sorts of great, actually engaging lectures happening all over the city for you to explore.
But go in; scope it out. As Levar Burton would say, «Don’t take my word for it!»

This is one of my favorite bookstores in Chicago. Its a very calm atmosphere and I can always find the book I am looking for.
The small café has a good selection of food (Soups are really delicious) and I love the fact that they serve Intelligentsia Coffee

Finally got my butt over there, of course, with the coaxing of a friend. I don’t know exactly what to say… so here are some bullet points.
–slightly hard to find items, I’m sure there’s a system. but, being new I obviously haven’t gotten a grasp of it.
–the staff are really friendly. and I mean really friendly. the guy at the counter said goodbye to me when I left and used my name in his farewell.
–it’s an independent bookstore, so it’s possible the prices are higher than big box bookstores, but I don’t know for sure. But what you trade in price you gain in staff knowledge and kindness.
–they hold special events almost nightly.
–they have a café in the store, so there’s no need to leave… well unless you want to sleep.
I will be back to Transitions after I get done with my current buys.

I really like this bookstore even though I have not yet purchased any books here. They have a great selection of cards as well. I bought a couple of them and they crack me up. They were perfectly fitting and were characteristic of me. I don’t think I would have found anything like this any place else. I love finding unique items and this is a great place to get something original. The staff here is very helpful and you can see they take the time and effort in doing so. I’m glad I stopped in here, and may be saying bye to Hallmark…

I can’t give Transitions less than 3 stars because they are one of the few surviving New Age bookstores in the Chicago area, and they host many great lecturers and classes.
I agree however that this is one of the New Age hipster commercial hangouts, and the emphasis here is on making money. But if they don’t make money, they won’t survive, so is that so bad?
New Age bookstores everywhere seem teaming with overpriced crap and marketing. Enter and spend with caution.
They share parking with Whole Foods so on a busy day parking can SUCK.

I really like this place. Cool, diverse music selection for purchase and ambience, cute little café with free internet and organic baked goods from Bleeding Heart Bakery (which I’ve yet to hit up), helpful, diverse staff and a great selection of books for the new age progressive in you. They’ve got a bottomless cup of IntelligensiA coffee for 2-​something and sell Kombucha as well. I’ve picked up quite a few books and gifts here and always find myself lingering longer than I planned. Thumbs up. PLUS it’s right around the corner from Stanley’s so why not pick up a pineapple on the way home, right?

It would definitely be hard to walk in this place and not feel an instant calmness. I don’t think I’ve actually bought any books from Transitions but I have come here for gift wrap, cards, journals and pens. Yes, pens… I’m a pen addict.
Transitions also has a café so you can peruse the store and then sit down with your finds with a nice cup of joe… or tea.

I love this unique bookstore! I usually chill out here after shopping at whole foods. They have cool eclectic items other than just books too. I love the waterfalls!

My first encounter with this bookstore was when I went on a whim to see Alex Grey give a talk.
It’s a nice calm place, perfect for chilling out after running around doing errands. The employees are friendly and they hold various events here or in their space behind Sam’s Liquors. This is not a place to get books on the cheap, but it makes for an amusing browse. plus they have mandala coloring books. who doesn’t like coloring.honestly.

If you are looking for a place that has a variety of «spiritual» literature/​media, then this might be the place for you. I did find it «interesting» the choices though for some of the religions, like Islam, Judaism, Christianity, etc. many of them did not accurately depict what most people who would follow these teachings would believe. the prices are a little steep. I can find the same thing elsewhere for a better price. The only reason why I gave it 3 stars was because the staff is always friendly and the atmosphere is very peaceful.

I love this store! Staff is always friendly, always quick to help and offer suggestions. This store is not for everyone though, unless you come in with an open mind and are curious about other possibilities in life and other religions. You can find anything from yoga, religions, chakras, Reiki, holistic health and so on. I love to go in and just browse, no matter what, whenever I leave, I can’t help but feel relaxed and calmer then when I enter sometimes.

Now — I’m no Wiccan, Buddhist, Eastern philosopher, or firm believer in the cosmic energy of Shakra stones, but I love going to this bookstore as often as I can — I do, however, love to read about historical mysteries and ancient mythology, Knights Templar, secret societies and other equally controversial topics. This bookstore has something for everyone’s questioning mind.
Perfectly placed in the shopping complex next to the «creative» staff members of Whole Foods, you’ll share shelf browsing time with many green aproned fellow customers. Personally, I love the vibe here, you get the feeling that some of the staff members could be on F.B.I. watch lists (or at least have a paranoia that they are… I’m probably not helping them get over that paranoia), and I have to confess that I do thumb through some of the more spiritual texts each time I visit, and enjoy expanding my mind to new ideas.
While I’m still going to go to Borders to get my biographies, literature and latest business read, I love shopping at Transitions to feed my creative and mischievous side.

Books and music that isn’t on the cheap. If your into the sort of stuff Transitions offers then you will love it. If you need a gift for a girl this also could be a good place to check.

Excellent bookshop and café. They hold a lot of events too and have their own building a couple blocks away that holds workshops. They also have a membership deal where you get discounts on books, classes, and everything they do. Every year they also have a free holiday party for their members.
The only problem can be parking since it is also in the same shopping center as a Best Buy, Whole Foods, and a few other things.

This is a wonderful store with a powerful theme. The are lots of great events and this place is definitely a catalyst for positive thought in Chicago. There is a café with lots of seating.