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Have you ever read a novel that touched you on a deeper level? Think about a story that resonated deeply with you, one that challenged your beliefs, or broadened your philosophy on life. Today, I am going to share with you three novels that I consider to be "spiritual novels," or, as it turns out, what the French would call "contes philosophiques."
The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho
I read this novel for my second-year French class in college. We read it the Spring before I studied abroad, and I can't think of a better book to read before embarking on such an adventure. The story is about a young Andalusian shepherd who embarks on a quest across North Africa for treasure. Along the way, the shepherd meets interesting characters and learns great lessons about life and the treasure found within. Some favorite quotes:
“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”
“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity.”
“We are travelers on a cosmic journey,stardust,swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share.This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.”
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
This is another book that I read in French, but not for class. I read the book on my own one Summer, to improve my French. What was unexpected was what I learned beyond new vocabulary words. This is yet another story about a young boy making a voyage, but this one is inter-planetary. The Little Prince makes great observations of the way grown-ups live their lives, and reminds us of the children that we all once were. Yet another book filled with quotes to stir the soul:
“You - you alone will have the stars as no one else has them...In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the sky at night...You - only you - will have stars that can laugh.”
“The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.”
“All grown-ups were once children... but only few of them remember it.”
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
I could not write about spiritual books without including one about a dog. I was born in the year of the dog, and I am a dog-lover. I believe that dogs have so much to teach us, and are truly spirit guides in this life. This story is told from the point of view of a dog whose owner is a race car driver. This novel taught me about manifestation, because the driver teaches his dog that in racing, your car goes where your eyes are looking. So in life, where your thoughts are, there is your reality. It is a truly touching story, and you bet it made me give Lucy more attention and cuddles. A few quotes:
“To live every day as if it had been stolen from death, that is how I would like to live. To feel the joy of life, as Eve felt the joy of life. To separate oneself from the burden, the angst, the anguish that we all encounter every day. To say I am alive, I am wonderful, I am. I am. That is something to aspire to.”
“That which is around me does not affect my mood; my mood affects that which is around me.”
“We too, must shatter the mirrors. We must look in to ourselves and root out the distortions until that thing which we know in our hearts is perfect and true, stands before us.”
If you haven't read these books before, I cannot recommend them enough. I will warn you, however, that you will need tissue for each one. Frankly, I tear up just thinking about these books and all of the wonderful little lessons tucked within their pages. For me, stories have a unique way of teaching us about life and all of its mysteries, and these stories in particular have affected my spirit on the deepest level.
Your turn- have you read any of these books? Do you have any novels that soothe your soul, or that have taught you a valuable lesson? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!
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