Why I keep going back to The Alchemist time and again

bykshrivas

254 followers

11 years ago

The Alchemist book written by Paulo Coelho:

I don't know how many times I've read this book, and keep going back to it again and again. I guess I personally like the way Paulo Coelho writes all his books, coz I am a fan of his almost all the writings - 11 minutes, The Zahir (Another of my all time favourites)

Anyways, coming back to alchemist, one thing that I absolutely love about the book is the journey - the very non-supernatural-yet-absolutely-astoundingly-magical-and-peace-giving journey you experience while reading the book. Sometimes, I can even smell the sand and feel the salty-dry air of the desert, while reading the book (donno if that's normal with any ardent book reader!)

The Alchemist is a kind of “esoteric” feeling book that makes you really feel like life is vivid once more.

It actually plays on the sensation that “there's something extra” that you’ve forgotten and the thought that you are a part of a much bigger plan.

As you observe Santiago, the shepherd boy on his journey, you will routinely query your individual journey in life; are you living up to your greater objective? Why have you forgotten your path? What else is out there that you ought to be doing? Have you betrayed what you have been meant to do along with your life?

Asking questions like this…feeling the emotions that associate with such questions…it actually is an excellent strategy to dwell. For the brief time that you read this book, you will really feel extra alive. You'll feel more in tune with “the universe”. You'll get that great 1-in-the-morning-stare-out-the-window-and-pay attention-to-the-wind feeling…that's…until you don’t know what that seems like.

Santiago follows his goals, which take him from Spain to Morocco after which to the Egypt, all in the hunt for a particular treasure. Throughout his travels he learns lessons from messengers that appear positioned in his path at the proper moment, simply when he wants them.

The creator, Paulo Coelho, is a Brazilian author who is quite popular. I read it somewhere that Madonna loves him. Though I've read his "The Zahir" and "11 minutes", I feel a bit more drawn towards Alchemist.

A number of of his books have been non-fiction and about his personal life. From what I can piece collectively, Paulo is a member of somewhat-recognized Mystic Catholic sect which seeks after religious progress. They assign beforehand unknown worldwide mentors to their members…older men who've attained a high diploma of religious power (and worldly success?). I am planning to read "The Pilgrimage" by Paulo Coelho as it deals with somewhat religious matter, though I am not much into religion personally (from what I've checked on internet!)

However do read The Alchemist; it's kind of a book that would undoubtedly give you a knowledge-buzz…or an “esoteric-buzz”.

While checking out an interview of Paulo, he has talked a bit about looking forward to “Omens” in your life that only you will acknowledge. It’s a language the “Universe” speaks to you by means of…coincidences, songs, emotions, synchronicities. This can be a theme he positively speaks loads about in The Alchemist.

Some of my friends have complained that the book is too simplistic, and that you can be silly to consider that there's some “better plan” in your life that you ought to have followed; that you ought to get up, take your head out of such stuffs and get ready for work.

If you are susceptible to such ideas, maybe this book just isn't for you. Nevertheless, if you take pleasure in waking up your soul every now and then, there isn't any better place to do it than going through this book once in a while.