Surprised by Fire: Become Who You Are Meant to Be

by Martina Lehane Sheehan

Interweaving psychology, mythology, and spirituality, Surprised by Fire is truly unique. It will delight and excite anyone who has ever asked `Is this all there is?' It draws on solid research around happiness and well-being, and more importantly, it offers a compelling invitation for you to discover and follow your `soul voice' and your own unique path.

238 pages, Hardcover

Published October 13, 2017

About the author

Martina Lehane Sheehan is director of retreats and programmes at Ennismore Retreat Centre, Cork. An accredited psychotherapist, she regularly facilitates retreats and workshops on matters of spirituality and personal development.

Reviews

[Martha.O.S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful gem of a book, so wise, warm, and meaningful. The title “Surprised by Fire”, refers to fanning the flame of the Spirit, connecting to our truth so that we feel more alive and may come to understand our meaning and purpose, which when lived out allows us to be “surprised by fire” on a daily basis.

The book shares personal accounts of insights and encounters that all make up part of the author’s own journey and the lessons gleaned from these. This was particularly helpful as such encounters are very relatable, allowing us to access the particular lessons and insights gained. It was honest, humble and real and her shared experiences allowed us a way in, a way to access our own journey inward, which is about becoming who we are. This sharing was also part of the hopeful message of the book, about how from our brokenness and humility, we can find “golden seeds shimmering with divinity”.

So often it can be difficult to find purpose in our lives, to radiate happiness when we don’t always feel it, to confront and vanquish our greatest fears. This book shows us that we don’t have to. Rather, we are on a journey, all of us together. Yes we have personal responsibility to find our way, but we share so much with our fellow travellers along the way. Sometimes by being weak we are strong. I loved in particular what she said about happiness in the second last chapter: “Happy people...feel happy just being alive and sharing that aliveness with others. An attitude like this can turn the water of your life into a lavish wine-it turns thorns into roses”. By connecting with the spark within us and cultivating it “stoking the fire”, we learn what gives our life meaning and journey towards this with commitment. “The plant in the hallways has a support stick to help it grow towards its potential, otherwise it falls limp and directionless. Likewise we need healthy disciplines that act as support sticks to strengthen and direct our growth towards wholeness“.

This was a beautifully written book, so much wisdom, both the author’s own and quotes and passages from other authors and Scripture which are wonderfully woven through the writing. It is indeed a book of hope and truth and one that I will continue to dip into from time to time.

[Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Deepak Saxena · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good self-help book in which the author uses equal sprinkles of personal experience, clinical experience and theology to teach about self-acceptance and to embark (and re-embark) on a hero's journey. Considering the nature of the book, I would advice reading one chapter at a time.