Friday is Book Day on the blog, when we take a look at books – old and new — that I highly recommend you not miss. This week’s recommended reading: The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho.
The book description at Amazon.com sums up this masterpiece perfectly:
“Paulo Coelho’s enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world, and this tenth anniversary edition, with a new introduction from the author, will only increase that following. This story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and inspiring wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids.
Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasures found within.
Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is an eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.”
Everybody has a Personal Legend. What is yours? Reading this book may very well bring you closer to identifying it and to living it at the next highest level. The Alchemist is more parable than novel, and holds enormous insight and great power. It is, of course, one of the most widely read philosophical/metaphysical/spiritual books of our lifetime, and it is quite possible that it is already in your collection. If not, I would recommend that you make it part of that collection now.
Few books have inspired as many people who are on their journey and searching for themselves and the best way to express their dream of who they are in our real world environment. Coelho makes the point loud and clear that life is, in fact, about that journey, not about the destination. The magical text will present many with a new perspective, a new way to view the world.
This book lacks much in the way of character or plot…quite intentionally, obviously, because it IS, in fact, a parable, an allegory. It is not about make-believe people and situations so much as it is about real life as human beings all over the world are living it. The book may well inspire you to live the remainder of your own life in a new way. So be careful.
All of us have a purpose and a dream. Many people give up both over the course of their lifetime, settling for security, safety, and, I am afraid, mediocrity. This deeply insightful, stunning work by Paulo Coelho makes it clear what the challenge is, what the opportunity is, and what the life that we are living is all about.
You will thank yourself again and again for reading this book. I promise you.
Available immediately from Amazon.com in its Tenth Anniversary Edition, with new material from the author.
Beliefnet
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posted October 12, 2007 at 1:53 am
http://www.santjordi-asociados.com/titles/extract.htm?6#alchemist
posted October 12, 2007 at 9:57 am
There’s a book my mother gifted me years ago and it’s called “Unconditional Love” by Ed and Deb Shapiro. I didn’t open it once for at least a couple of years for some reason, and the reason revealed it self to me a few months ago. In those years i was very bitter about life, so the last thing i wanted to do is read about unconditional love (laugh). It was when i decided to begin making amends with God that the book appeared to present itself, brilliantly to say the least.
I come to realize or remember “who i am” many times over while reading this book (along with CwG)
Back around 1994 i had a dream. In this dream i walk out into a small field below a starry night. I stood there looking at the stars and as always their beauty filled me with wonder. The trees that stood around the field sway softly in the wind and i began to notice they were becoming smaller, so i thought at first. Looking around me i realized i was growing. As i was growing I can see far onto the earth’s curvature, i looked to the sky again focused on the milky way. Out in the universe, it was very peaceful, quiet and it was a state of being that felt good but also strange to me. I looked upon the earth and with utter amazement beheld her beauty. In those moments of amazement while i observed what i was seeing and feeling, a familiar sense of “something is about to happen” filled me. While in that peacefulness and looking at the earth, a cry of a what seemed like millions of voices pierced into my being. Little lights streaked from the earth into the universe going in many directions. I woke up.
For many years that dream stayed with me, every now and then i wondered about it. A few months ago, i picked up the book my mother gave me and began to read it. That dream came back to me and i asked “i wonder what that dream is about” and this feeling to flip through the pages overwhelmed me and as if to say “look” when the flipping stopped. There on chapter 8 it reads “When you hear the world cry: COMPASSION”. It also has a quote “Either we are going to awaken true compassion for everyone or we are not going to have compassion for anyone, even our loved ones….because love is love. You cannot turn it on and off like a water tap. -Bo Lozoff”
So i thought i would share this experience. Many blessings to you.
posted October 12, 2007 at 10:36 am
“IT IS WRITTEN” said the Merchant in reply to Santiago’s realization that the sheep were not teaching him but “I was learning from the sheep” — The Merchant stated “There is NO way to HOLD BACK the river – we will sell tea in crystal glasses on top of the hill”
The young shepherd had been working for a year, focused on setting aside money – he was amazed how long it had been since he THOUGHT of the King’s wisdom “Never stop dreaming, follow the omens”. Santiago felt the presence of the King – he was suddenly aware of a great lesson learned from observing sheep – he understood that what had happened in the crystal shop was a result of employing the universal language of ENTHUSIASM! The inaudible voice of ENTHEOS (in the presence of the breathe of God) everyone FELT its presence as ideas emerged with love and purpose — In search of JOY – things believed in and desired. The voice of the King rattled through his body “WHEN YOU WANT SOMETHING THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE CONSPIRES TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE IT” Joydancer
posted October 12, 2007 at 11:51 am
Knowledge is limited, imaginations encircles the world.
Life is not about a purpose.
Dear Neale,
posted October 12, 2007 at 11:56 am
You’ve got it all wrong
Dear Neale
posted October 12, 2007 at 2:11 pm
I agree, Walter. Imagination trumps knowledge any day.
I think the purpose of my life is probably what a lot of people imagine their purpose to be and that is the authentic expression of who I envision myself to be at any given moment.
Never having been one for categories I think imagination and the human mind are, as Walter has points out, unlimited. We are different things at different times of our lives and we are simultaneously many different things at different times of our lives. Wasn’t it Einstein who said man only uses less than ten percent of the brain’s capacity, or something like that.
I think Neale’s advice on his audio about finding right livlihood, which is also elegantly put together in the written word in Bringers of the Light and Recreating the Self, give some profound rules of thumb for knowing whether what we are doing is in alignment with who we really are.
He notes, correctly, that a lot of people have it backwards and have fallen into work or doing as a means of survival likely because they are told by others that there is no way to do what they actually desire and love doing. He said that they focus on the doing part without regard for who they are being and thus live lives of quiet desperation.
His audio shows us it doesn’t have to be this way. The goal of the human soul, says Neale, has less to do with what we are doing and more to do with what we are being. What he means by that is that the human soul can experience and express the same state of being while doing many different things so what we are doing is secondary to what we are being or choosing to be.
So our ultimate purpose in life in this time space reality is to decide and to choose to be that aspect of divinity that comes bubbling up within when we answer the question what do you love to be and not what do you love to do? I especially like the way he puts it here, “What state of being do you wish to experience emerging through you as you in order that you expereience the grandest version of who you are?”
Thank you for all you do in giving people back to themselves, Neale.
Love and peace,
Michelle
posted October 12, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Giinew,
I meant to say thank you for sharing that amazing and awesome dream/communication with a higher consciousness. That peaceful state of being–compassion–that you describe in your dream/communication is a wonderful state to be/strive to attain and maintain.
Thanks for sharing. Again your description blew me away.
Love and peace,
MIchelle
posted October 12, 2007 at 7:01 pm
I don’t know how many of you read the Joshua series of books by Joseph Girzone, but I higly reccommend them. Interesting enough the first one is labeled as a modern day parable. It is good to read Joshua first, since all the rest are tied to the original. They have even mad a movie from that book, but as wirh most movies after the book, the book is better! This is another Life changing, and perception book
LUV 2 ALL
Wisdum
posted October 12, 2007 at 11:02 pm
“Without a dream, man shall perish” Santiago held onto his dream and so did Neale. The bible, the ancient text of God tells that we fulfill God’s purpose as we bring him JOY by His witness of our thoughts and dreams being realized —- as God wants us to have what we want —– God does not deny our doubts, nor does He withdraw blessings for not agreeing with His best —- His creation — YOU!
A PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE, is a life given by GOD to BE all that we were purposed by God to “BE”. Our purpose is what we say it is. If we choose not to have a purpose, that is okay with God to. No right, No wrong — Loving what “IS” —- Fully responsible for my thoughts, my actions, my non-actions, and my results.
Joydancer
posted October 12, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Wisdum – YEPPER – the movie JOSHUA was great and filmed in the Sacramento, California area. Great visual, stunning script!
Loving my AUDIO BOOKS, the tale of Santiago alive with the accent so approriately toned. I will search for audio books by Joseph Girzone. Listening to books is my passion – it is like being on stage with the characters, iner-acting, and seeing what they see — their voice, not my own, speaking to my part, the Observer of the motion that words put into action. I absolutely love my audiobooks!
Joydancer
posted October 13, 2007 at 8:01 am
Re – Smiling | October 12, 2007 11:10 PM
Thanks Joy !, I never even thought about audio books for Girzone. Audio books are the greatest idea since reading, especially for people with no extra time on their hands. (I think somebody needs to come up with a new clock, with 36 hours on it) The only Way I can read is on the “porcelain throne” (if you catch my drift !, and of course the greatest royal book there is Reader’s Digest !)
Girzone’s book are written in large print, child-like style, and very visual, easy reading for anybody. Of course the audio books, you can listen to while driving, and if your like me an millions of others, it is a great place and Way to spend otherwize useless Time, for me between 2 and 4 hours a day! (or is that, for hours ?)
LUV 2 ALL
Wisdum
posted October 13, 2007 at 8:13 am
Re – What is the purpose of life?
Maybe somebody/everybody, should answer that question…if not for ALL, at least unto yourself !
I think I alredy posted this, from my conversations with God (not to be confused with Neale’s – Conversations With God)… (ahhh, redungdancy ! That’s what Life is all about !)
“What is the meaning of Life ?”
Life is a test, with only two questions. “How much do you Love God ?” and “How much does God Love you ?” It may take you, your Whole Life, to be able to answer those two questions (and probably will!)
Hint – How would you know you have “freewill”…unless there is a rule/law to break ?
LUV 2 ALL
Wisdum
posted October 13, 2007 at 10:26 am
Wisdum, you are such a cool soul! So glad to be connected in this string of light —- reading on the throne, contemplating how much you love God, and how much He loves you —- everywhere, all the time!
When I am in my sacred space (my garage) not a guy garage, but with walls all painted white, carpeted, incense, candles, my CLOSET of prayer – walls papered with photo’s and cards, letters from loved ones, and images of my vision, my play room, my stage, my theatre to dance, spin, and yes elyptically spinning to AUDIO – BOOKS and my DJ selection of GREAT music on ITUNES. My throne is my elyptical, not white pocelain, or chystal – but I have an image of your face smiling, as the river of light courses through your veins and flashing outward, back to God and then like a boomerang, God flinging your energy through your writings into the eye, the soul of JOY. Gotta go crank of my energy in my sacred zone — today I will listen to Joshua.
((((((hugs))))))
++++++love++++++
Joy
posted October 13, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Re -Joy
Thanks Joy !, I gotta go out and find some Joshua Audio Books, I didn’t know they made them . . . All I know is “I no nothing!” (or is that know nothing ? …hmmmm) You can read my stuff at myspace myspace.com/a_road_called_love I only write short stuff, no audio books, but I do-do “Stand Up God Comedy” (which nobody thinks is one dam bit funny but God and me !)
LUV 2 U / LUV 2 ALL
Wisdum
posted October 14, 2007 at 6:57 am
Re -Giinew | October 11, 2007 10:25 AM
Hi Glinew, sorry about re-sponding so late on your post (although, I truly believe somebody is con-troling…or is that pro-trolling it ALL)
I grew up in a prison without walls also, and it was about as loose as a prison could be. My biological father died when I was about five years old. I was raised Catholic (in lieu of my father’s religion). My mother was protestant (now a Jehovah’s witness) and my new step-father (who I never liked very much) was an atheist/agnostic. I needed a father image that I could look up to (right !) , so I looked around for the best one I could find. You what, I said “Screw it! I’m goin’ straight to the Top and choose the best One !” (guess who the One was ?) That Father has never let me down my entire Life, has led me and protected me through all the BS in this Life and especially from those who would tie me down and bind me(religion) and or put mew into bondage (does that sound fami-liar?) Well that’s my Life story, and I’d like to leave you ALL with this.
While traveling down a Road Called Love, I met this woman, and I asked her “If you could use only one word to describe Love, what would it be ?” . .
.and she said “Obedience !”
I thought for a moment and replied “Let me get this right, you are telling me, that if your children do not obey you, you refuse to Love them ?” . . .What the hell kind of message are you trying to send to your kids !”
And as I traveled further down that Road Called Love, I met this young girl, and asked her the same question, and she responded with “Sacrifice !”
And after thinking for a moment . . . “Wow! That’s gotta be closer to the Truth. You are saying to me, I don’t want to obey you, but because I Love you, I will !”
Then I came across this little child and I asked her the same question . . and she smiled and answered “A hug”
So I walked aWay , filled with enLightenment and com-prehending that Love is a multi-faceted stone, like a Diamond, reflecting all the colors of the rainbow, and reminded me of that song “Rainbow” by Russ Hamilton
LUV 2 ALL
Wisdum
posted October 14, 2007 at 2:38 pm
It’s curious you suggest that book because I was thinking about reading it again. I always believed and defended following dreams. Some people say most of the time it’s not realistic, and I tell them that the dream is only a goal, the road to get there is, to say the least, “realistically” real, if I’m allowed the redundancy, because you’re going to have to develop and perfecten skill s and overcome fears and defeats. The story of Abraham sacrificing his son comes to my mind. Most people think God was trying to proof Abrahams faith. I don’t quite agree. If memory doesn’t fail me, Isaac was Abraham’s reward for his faith in God. I think God was trying to teach Abraham a very important lesson. Abraham was a hundred years old when he had a son from Sahara, the woman he loved the most. I’m sure his natural tendency would be to overprotect his son. By asking him to sacrifice his son, God was telling Abraham “The only way your son is going to grow into a strong, capable man is if you let him live his life and learn from his own mistakes. Anyway he doesn’t belong to you, he belongs to life.”
Like Casey Kasem would say “Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars”
Love, love, love
posted October 14, 2007 at 2:55 pm
Thank you Neale. Myzpax just told me about your blog, and from now on I will be coming here more and more often. Congratulations also for your book. We missed the opportunity to meet in Brasil five years ago, but God willing we will have another chance.
Paulo Coelho
posted October 14, 2007 at 8:20 pm
To Paul Coelho – what a gift the ALCHEMIST audiobook speaking to me!
At this time, like an transformation chemist, you helped point JOY in the direction of her quest, her rich chocolate dreams. The lessons along my journey, meeting Neale the merchant of words, and you the alchemist, directing me to observe the power of my enthusiasm! Surmounting the obstacle of doubt, my journey within, my treasure found. My dreaming freed by honoring my heart. Thank you!
“Your soul has contrived to place this page before you. A myriad of circumstances were, just this moment, interconnected in a precise time in order for you to be gently drawn to words you find here, and only the intervention of your most holy soul could have produced such events so effortlessly. You have been brought here because GOD understands that you have been quietly calling for answers to the questions all humans ask. Life was meant to be a constant joy, and death is a time of greater joy.” HOME WITH GOD by Neale Donald Walsch.
Home with God reached out to me – on my way to Brazil May 2007 – such a comfort as I thought the trip was to bury my mother.
Mucho grande AMORE!
Joydancer
posted October 15, 2007 at 9:13 am
Hey Mr. Walsch;
When is your new book coming out? I think you said some time this October and I’ve been hovering around my local Barnes & Nobles, to the point I think I’m being annoying. I can say I’m anxious to read this new books. I’m guessing this book addresses the connection between the Secret and God.
posted October 16, 2007 at 12:38 am
The Alchemist is indeed one of my favorite books. I find it enchanting to follow the journey of the protagonist and to discover so many similarities with my own personal revelations. Timeless tales bring us back home to the crux of who we are. We come to remember what we forgot!
posted October 18, 2007 at 11:52 am
I have been reading only “non-fiction” for the last twenty years and have made an exception with Mr. Coehlo’s books. His books are called fiction, yet they are more like spiritual fables. The books have been enchanting and an easy read. Highly recommend to anyone looking for self-help, spiritual guidance or just great reading!
posted October 19, 2007 at 7:47 pm
I like very much your blog, I´m enjoy with these.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
I like your point of view and I hope read your book.
posted October 22, 2007 at 10:57 am
I read the Alchemist every year. The reason being, every time I read it the book speaks to me in a differently -in a language that is apt at that period of time in my life.
The book had prompted me to follow my dreams.
The book had encouraged me to hold on during the rough times encountered while chasing my dreams.
And the book has always prodded me to hold on to the biggest gift in any human being’s life -hope.
A fantastic book! Truly inspired by the the One who IS and will always BE!
posted May 4, 2011 at 8:03 pm
Gracias Senor coelho por darme la oportunidad de leer articulos de otros escritores.