The Red Book: A Deliciously Unorthodox Approach to Igniting Your Divine Spark by Sera Beak

How do we ignite our divine spark? First by our intention, which is energy or awareness that we bring to every day. Our intention is the “pathway to our experience” as author Sera Beak says, “setting it [our intention] ain’t no trifling, careless thing, but a responsibility, one not to be taken lightly.”

Sera Beak is a religious scholar and writer for the San Francisco Chronicle Web site, sfgate.com. In her book, The Red Book, she invites women (in their 20’s and 30’s) to ignite their divine spark and invigorate their spirituality. Even so, women readers decades older can appreciate – perhaps even more – her irreverent approach. The book’s title is modeled after a red book that was first given to her as a birthday gift by her sister after their grandfather’s death.

While sometimes discussions of spirituality can become too “woo-woo” (as the author says), this book is straightforward, fun, funny. Plus no matter what your previous knowledge level, it is a great tool for learning without being condescending. The author doesn’t focus on any one religion but talks about many, so the reader is left to choose which way resonate best for herself.

At the very end of the book is a resources guide. Divide by the book’s chapters it lists recommended books to further investigate the points covered in each chapter.