The Crier

The Managerial Wisdom of Crazy Wisdom Bookstore

One of Ann Arbor’s most unique businesses offers tea and self-empowerment

Lisa Hiatt · The Exchange · Feb 19, 2007

When I walked into Crazy Wisdom Bookstore, I immediately felt at peace. A faint, melodic voice chimed against the backdrop of African drums. Ancient Egyptian symbols, Buddhist statues, and Celtic signs surrounded the wide array of books. The scent of massage oils and herbal teas filled the air. Crazy Wisdom is not an average bookstore. It is, according to its slogan, a “bookstore about consciousness”.

The store has over 200 sections, with topics as diverse as psychology and shamanism. The owners, Bill Zirinsky and Ruth Schekter, select books they believe will enhance the quality of readers’ lives and provide inspiration for more proactive lifestyles.

Crazy Wisdom is first and foremost a bookstore, but it also carries tea, jewelry, incense, yoga gear, candles, and other trinkets. I particularly enjoyed the Zen Timepiece, an alarm clock produced by Zen & Now. Its main selling point is the “mindfulness bell,” which “summons your consciousness into wakening” with a series of “subtle gongs”.

“The store’s ideal is about consciousness — to make people aware, to get involved, and to be active,” said Samantha Emerick, a Crazy Wisdom employee.

The tearoom is upstairs. You can find almost any black, green, white, oolong, or fruit tea there. I tried the masala chai, a scented black variety. It smelled almost as wonderful as it tasted; the blend of cloves, ginger and cinnamon made a superb, afternoon drink. They have a menu of appetizers and entrées as well, but it’s dwarfed by the selection of teas.

But the most interesting aspect of the store is not found on a bookshelf or in a teacup. It’s the level of the owners’ community involvement.

“The store’s ideal is about consciousness — to make people aware, to get involved, and to be active,” said Samantha Emerick, a Crazy Wisdom employee. And Bill Zirinsky and Ruth Schekter are doing just that.

They began The Crazy Wisdom Community Journal in 1995 to provide the community information about spiritual growth and physical well-being. In the seasonal journal, there’s a calendar of Ann Arbor events and workshops. It also lists area practitioners of alternative medicine and therapy.

Crazy Wisdom is not an average bookstore. It is, according to its slogan, a “bookstore about consciousness.”

Beyond spiritual growth and physical health, Crazy Wisdom Bookstore participates in Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads, a yearly program that promotes reading and discussion of a community theme. This year’s book is Tracy Kidders’ Mountains Beyond Mountains, a book that explores the idea that people from diverse communities and culture can find a sense of belonging in the world. Kidders’ book is easily accessible in the front of the store.

Crazy Wisdom also offers a room-for-rent on the second floor. It’s used for book signings, team and community meetings, and occasionally weddings. Anyone can rent the room for any purpose, but rates vary depending on day and time.

At Crazy Wisdom Bookstore you can find anything from bestsellers to chakra stones. The store isn’t just for hippies and eccentrics; it’s for anyone interested in leading a more proactive life. The prices are comparable to most area bookstores, and the tea is irresistible.