Daughter of Fire

Irina Tweedie

This is a true classic, but is clearly not for everyone. This "Diary of a Spiritual Training with a Sufi Master" is just over 800 pages long and can be heavy and onerous. Tweedie was 59 when she met her guru, Bhai Sahib, in 1959. Her master told her to keep a diary. This is her diary. It is detailed and honest. I have never read another book like it. The author goes through many ups and downs and they are all reported in the book. Not only is this a rare documentary of a serious seeker, it is also a rare glimpse into the teachings of a Sufi master. Tweedie was born in Russia, educated in Vienna and Paris and was married to an English naval officer who passed away in 1954. She had a strong background in Theosophy, which explains why, and how she ended up in India seeking her master. Tweedie may have been more than just a seeker; many regard her as having achieved her goal. Tweedie is the real deal, as far away from a dilettante as one could possibly be.

Review by Len Oppenheim.