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The latest news on this change — carefully culled from the world wide web by our change agents. They do the surfing, so you don't have to!

Buzzing with Spirit

Buzzing with Spirit

Author Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees hit the big screen this past weekend, leading fans to rush to the box office to see the novel brought to life. The story calls on 14-year-old Lily Owens, played by Dakota Fanning, and her housekeeper, Rosaleen, to tell readers about their journey to uncover mysteries linked to Lily's mother before she was accidentally killed.

The women end up at a home inhabited by beekeepers known as the Boatwright sisters. The characters are played by Queen Latifah (August), Sophie Okonedo (May) and Alicia Keys (June). Here, Lily discovers the love for which she has been looking, and within that the reader learns several lessons from her and those of the Boatwright sisters.

Some readers have claimed The Secret Life of Bees is a spiritual experience. This assumption would not be too far-fetched, seeing as how Kidd is known for a spiritually based novels and writings in publications, such as Guideposts. In addition, the Boatwright sisters are known for regularly praying to the Virgin Mary, a black Madonna that is repeatedly featured throughout the story. Other readers and Bees admirers simply view the story as a well-written novel.

We want to know: Has a book or movie ever helped you to discover your spirituality? If so, which one and why? [Spirituality and Practice]

Posted: 10/22/08
carolineshannon

The Secret Life of Bees is one of my all-time favorites, but Sue Monk Kidd's latest book, Firstlight, is a great source of spiritual inspiration. Each short story is enlightening and a joy to read.

runnindownadream

On a whim I decided to listen to the Alchemist on my iPod. It really was a powerful experience and made me want to search for my personal destiny. Every now and then random quotes pop into my head and continue to encourage me.

LauraLee311

Yes, I wanted to learn more about Buddhism, so I read "Awakening the Buddha Within: Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World" by Lama Surya Das. I definitely learned a lot, but at times, it got a little fluffy.