3 Popular Books That Reflect Values Of The Divine Principle
Unificationists recognize a set of universal core values; these Divine Principles can be found everywhere in life, in society, and even in pop culture, in books, music, movies, and media.
Have you ever read a great story that inspired you, that made you think, or that just touched you in a profound way?
There is a reason that some stories stay with us, and there is often a reason that a book becomes a worldwide phenomenon or New York Times bestseller. Sometimes it’s merely a craze, but most of the time, it’s because there is some universal idea that resonates deeply with all of us, regardless of race, religion, or culture.
Here are just a few of our favorite titles that reflect some of the universal values found in the Divine Principle.
SPOILER ALERT! We tried our best to review these books based on the over arching themes and not to reveal any juicy plot details, but proceed with caution if you plan to read some of these and want to be surprised!
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist has become a modern classic and continues to be a book that readers have said has “changed their lives”. It’s the story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who travels the world in search of a great treasure. It’s a story about following our dreams, and listening to the wisdom of our own hearts. Santiago believes in following his “Personal Legend”, and according to the book, everyone and everything has their own “Personal Legend”, their purpose or destiny which is created by the “Soul of the World.” Sounds a lot like God and following his calling in our lives, and the faith it takes to walk that path!
Alchemy is another analogous theme that runs throughout the book. Through constant trial and purification, the mystic attempts to turn metal into gold. As human beings, we go through a similar process of learning, growing, and polishing, constantly trying to become our best selves. The Divine Principle calls this the “stages of growth”, in which all things must pass through. It says, “Human beings…are created in such a way that their growth requires the fulfillment of their own portion of responsibility… They must exercise this responsibility in order to pass successfully through the growing period and reach perfection.”
Similarly, in this excerpt from the book Coelho explains the motivation to reach that “personal perfection”, and how that effect radiates out to others and the world around us:
“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.”
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
At first glance this may seem like just a children’s story, a fantasy world full of wizards, witches, and mystical creatures, but at its heart, the Harry Potter series is about the power of love and about how our choices make us who we are. In the very first book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, we learn that Harry’s magic actually comes from the sacrificial love of his mother, and in book 2, Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets, when worried about some similarities to the evil Voldemort, the wise headmaster Dumbledore gives Harry this poignant advice: “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
The Divine Principle Tells us that, “We find a great contradiction in every person. Within the self-same individual are two opposing inclinations: the original mind that desires goodness and the evil mind that desires wickedness.” It is in choosing to follow the desires of the “original mind”, of selflessness and goodness, that we are able to become our best selves.
Mom & Me & Mom by Maya Angelou
The world mourned the loss of a great poet and woman recently. Her grace and gift with words, made her a beloved figure in the literary world. She is best known for, I know Why the Caged Bird Sings, an autobiography of her life as a young girl, which itself shows the resilience of the human spirit to overcome difficulty. Her latest Autobiography, Mom & Me & Mom, tells the story of her complicated relationship with her mother. With deep insight and keen wit even in the midst of hardship, Maya ultimately tells the story of reconciliation, and the healing power of love. Consider this quote from the book:
“I will look after you and I will look after anybody you say needs to be looked after, any way you say. I am here. I brought my whole self to you. I am your mother.”
Our first experience of love is through our parents, there is no love so powerful as the love of a parent. God is also a parent, and understanding our own parents is a channel to connect to our Heavenly Parent’s unconditional, unchanging love.