A Tale of Two Settee’s
My neighbour (and close friend) and I were discussing momentous children’s books on my couch the other day and the rich and bountiful impact such incredible literature has on our lives.
“After I’ve been dead five years, no one will read anything I’ve written.” — C.S. Lewis
She is reading the Narnia series to her daughter at the moment. I also grew up with the magic of C.S. Lewis’s profound wardrobe world. And, let’s face it, what woman (or man, for that instance) hasn’t fallen in love with James McAvoy in his role as Mr Tumlis? Yum yum.
Lions, Hobbits, Pooh, Hallucinagenic Mushrooms, Muggles and Metaphors
“To me [the religious parallels have] always been obvious. But I never wanted to talk too openly about it because I thought it might show people who just wanted the story where we were going.” — J.K. Rowling on her Harry Potter Book Series
But on a serious note, there are tons of books, aimed at both children and adults, that are spiritually profound. Have you noticed the incredible metaphors woven into these tales of good and evil, morality, justice, love, compassion and comradeship in the following books?
Lord of the Rings Trilogy (or any other book, for that matter, by J.R.R. Tolkien)- The Chronicles of Narnia (C.S. Lewis)
- Harry Potter Series (J.K.Rowling)
- Alice in Wonderland/Alice Through the Looking Glass (Lewis Carroll)
- Winnie-the-Pooh (The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne has sparked off other books such as the ‘Tao of Pooh’ and the ‘Te of Piglet’ by Benjamin Hoff to ‘Positively Pooh (Timeless Wisdom from Pooh)’ — all of which liken these characters to Taoism and the Tao Te-Ching)
- Dr Seus and his plethora of thought-provoking, humourous teachings that inspire sound and solid moral footing
Some Interesting Facts and Religious Tones
- J.R.R. Tolkien was born in South Africa (Bloemfontein) in 1892. He was raised a Roman Catholic but had a spiritual vision beyond the confines of Christian religion.
- C.S. Lewis had strange dreams of lions and pictures in his head of a faun carrying parcels before he wrote The Chronicles of Narnia.
- J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis were friends.
- Lewis Carroll was a deeply spiritual man. At the time of his passing, Carroll was working on an essay applying his skills in logic to proving that a benevolent God would not allow eternal damnation to exist.
- When he was known simply as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the Pope condemned J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, writing that their “subtle seductions, which act unnoticed … deeply distort Christianity in the soul before it can grow properly” (and, as most of us know, if the Pope condemns it, it must be good!). Rowling said she’s proud to be on numerous banned-book lists. She said, “I go to church myself. I don’t take any responsibility for the lunatic fringes of my own religion.”
Falling For Potter
I have to admit that, although many spiritual writers and books helped me along my path, I also drew much information and wisdom from the Harry Potter Book Series.
J.K. Rowling has an incredible knowledge of all things spiritual, legendary, astrological and magical.
Her wisdom as carried out through the characters in her books, never fails to bring me to my knees.
She is much more than an English Billionairess who writes children’s novels — no, she is a bloody genius!
Cover Up Those Covers or Go Under Cover!
When the Potter books were first released, so many adults were reading them that the publishers had to bring out an ‘adult’ cover for these more mature and somewhat embarassed readers to disguise the fact that they were immersed in children’s literature.
I couldn’t have given a rat’s arse about that as I read the ‘kiddies’ version as blatantly and publicly as I could. I loved the fact that they were being condemned and ‘black-listed’ around the globe — this usually means that they’ll spread like wild-fire and they most certainly did.
Now children and adults all over the world have been exposed to the wonders of magic, spirit, love, compassion, astrology, herbology, courage, morality, wisdom and a plethora of other esoteric teachings — whether they know it or not!
Drawing on Endearing Dumbledore
There are so many terrific words of sheer enlightenment that sprout from the Headmaster character, Dumbledore in the Potter Series. I often find myself in times of trouble and it is not Mother Mary who comes to me it is Albus Dumbledore — speaking his words of wisdom.
“As much money and life as you could want! The two things most human beings would choose above all – the trouble is, humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things which are worst for them.” — Dumbledore (Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling)
My favourite one being (when I am receiving some ‘not so nice’ mail/comments), “If you are holding out for universal popularity, I’m afraid you will be in this cabin for a very long time.” It always makes me laugh and then I don’t take myself or what other people think of me so seriously.
Thank you J.K. for taking that first step, even if it was writing on serviettes! You’ve done the world a huge service. And to all the other magnificent authors — you are legend!
Believing in a New Perspective
It doesn’t matter what book or doctrine you read that helps you to find Source (‘God’) — just as long as you get there in the end!
Finding your Truth — a belief or idea that resonates with your soul — is unique to every individual. Be happy for others who find their divinity in their own way and know that it is appropriate even if it is not the way you have found it.
- What books/movies/TV series have moved you spiritually? Please share your favourites with me!
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Cherie Roe Dirksen
