Fictional worlds have always been like magic portals, reflecting our own world back at us in fantastical ways. Many writers use these stories to explore everything from how societies work to the deepest corners of human emotions, and readers get hooked because it feels real, even if it’s filled with dragons and spaceships. But here’s the fascinating thing: these fictional realms can also act as windows into real-life spiritualism.
For example, in a fantasy novel, characters use a special meditation as part of their physical and spiritual honing. Sound familiar? That might be the author’s way of exploring Eastern meditation practices in a new light. Or maybe a sci-fi story features a group who believe in the interconnectedness of all living things – that could be a cool twist on real-world ideas about nature and spirituality.
The beauty is that fiction allows us to explore these deep spiritual concepts in a safe and creative space. We can grapple with big questions about good and evil, what happens after we die, or even the nature of reality itself without the pressures or limitations of the real world.
In “The Stylite,” we can easily see how Shane Hallawa paints the fictional world with words to reflect real-life spiritual practices.
Finding Meaning in Fiction
Fiction-based literature is the lifeblood of human connection. It’s not just reserved for bedtime stories or the silver screen. We take experiences, big and small, through fiction and turn them into themes to create a nexus of understanding and connection. In “The Stylite,” we encounter Teresa Amadei and her older cousin, Matthew Abbate, grappling with inner turmoil, seeking solace and enlightenment amidst adversity. It delves into themes of humility, overcoming ego, and embracing stillness – concepts rooted in spiritual traditions of the Byzantine Empire of Late Antiquity. Through their experiences, readers are invited to reflect on their own spiritual journeys.
The Path of Humility
This kind of humility isn’t about groveling or self-deprecation. It’s a way of being, a power that allows Teresa and Matthew to connect with others on a deeper level. They shed the “me first” attitude of the flesh and embrace the spirit. It’s about recognizing that true strength often lies in unity and understanding, not just brute force or dominance. Matthew and Teresa embark on a quest to defeat the Daemoklos, demons released from their prison, and seal them back into their eponymous grimoire, as those who see the stylites and take heart to build up the walls of the Hagia Orama cathedral in the city of Alexantine. They recognize that true life necessitates dying of ego, acknowledging one’s limitations and imperfections in the face of something greater than oneself.
“The Stylite” offers insights into real-life spiritual practices through fiction. As readers immerse themselves in the novel’s rich narrative and thought-provoking themes, they are invited to explore the depths of their own spiritual journeys.
Read “The Stylite” by Shane Hallawa and discover the power of fiction to illuminate the truths of our shared humility.
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