In this passage, the woman is deepening her understanding of herself by reading works by Zen, Krishnamurti, and Jung. These thinkers prompt her to confront questions she previously avoided, leading to a process of self-discovery and introspection. Her reading symbolizes a shift from adhering to traditional beliefs toward exploring her inner thoughts and feelings.
As she embarks on this journey of personal revelation, the metaphor of shackles breaking suggests she is freeing herself from the constraints of orthodoxy and external expectations. This newfound openness signifies her inner transformation, embracing authenticity and self-awareness over conforming to established beliefs.