Taking the road to Santiago twenty years ago, I stop at Villafranca Del Bierzo. One of the most emblematic figures of the walk, Jesus Jato, built a shelter for pilgrims there. People came from the village and, thinking that jato was a sorcerer, set fire to the place, but he was not intimidated, and together with his wife Maria Carmen he began all over again – the place became known as The Phoenix, the bird reborn from the ashes.
Jato is famous for preparing the “burning”, a sort of alcoholic beverage of Celtic origin that we drink in a sort of ritual, which is also Celtic. On this cold spring evening, at the Ave Fénix there is a Canadian, two Italians, three Spaniards and an Australian. And Jato tells of something that happened to me in 1986 and that I never had the courage to include in my book Diary of a Magus, certain that the readers would not believe it.
“A local priest passed by to say that a pilgrim had come through Villafranca that morning and had not reached Cebreiro (the next leg of the walk), so for sure he was lost in the forest”, said Jato. “I went out to look for him and only found him at two o’clock in the afternoon, sleeping in a cave. It was Paulo. When I woke him up, he complained: ‘Can’t I even sleep for just an hour on this road?’ I explained that he had not splet for just an hour; he had been there for more than a whole day.”
I remember as if it were yesterday: I was feeling tired and depressed, so i decided to stop for a while, came across the cave and lay down on the floor. When I opened my eyes and saw the fellow, I was sure that only a few minutes had passed, because I had not even moved an inch. Until today I do not know exactly how that happened, nor do I look for any explanations – I have learned to live with mystery.
We all drank the “burning”, accompanying Jato’s “wooh!” while he spoke the ancestral verses. At the end the Canadian girl came over to me.
- I am not the type of person who is looking for saints’ tombs, sacred rivers, and places of miracles or apparitions. For me, making a pilgrimage is celebrating. My father and my sister died young, both of heat attacks, and maybe I have a propensity for that.
“So, since I may leave this life early, I have to know as much as possible of the world and relish the happiness I deserve.”
“When my mother died, I promised myself to be happy every sunrise. To look towards the future but never sacrifice the present because of that. To always accept love whenever it crossed my path. To live each minute and never postpone anything that can make me happy.”
I remember 1986, when I too left everything aside to make this journey that was to change my life. At that time many people criticized me, feeling that it was crazy – my wife was the only one to lend me the support I needed. The Canadian girl tells me that the same happened to her, and hands me a text she carries with her:
“This is part of the speech that Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States, gave at the Sorbonne in Paris on the 23rd of April 1910.”
I read what was on the paper:
“Critics don’t say anything: they merely point an accusing finger at the moment the strong suffer a defeat, or when they commit a mistake. True credit goes to those who are in the arena, their faces covered in dust, sweat and blood, fighting on bravely.
“True credit goes to the one who makes mistakes, who fails but little by little gets things right, because there is no effort without mistakes. He knows great enthusiasm and deep devotion, and spends his energy on something worthwhile. That is the true man, who in the best of hypothesis will know victory and conquest, and in the worst of hypotheses will fall, yet even in his fall he is great, because he has lived with courage and stands above those small-minded souls who will never know victory or defeat.
Next text will be posted on the 29th of April 2006.
Einstein said “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.”
and yup life is a mystery. ;)
Take care! :)
~katrina
Paulo, guess what is the most important word for me…
it is P A T H
To-day I wake thinking of Julius Demberger. It is a perfect time to say, “Thank You you are the Guide who brought me to this site.”
It is a affirmation of fate that, recently at work, I mentioned my enthusiasm for reading Paulo Coelho’s The Fifth Mountain and then suddenlty I was sipping coffee while listening to a work companion share how he met Paulo. There is no outer world validation but on that day my life changed and I felt myself pulled back into the Mystery School of Life.
I needed to be in silence so I could catch up with the exciting events of the afternoon so I walked home. On the path I found a playing card, Jack of Spades. I remembered that you’d said Paulo told you, ‘watch for omens’ so I kept the card for a bookmark. That night I read it is the suit of the Camino. The next day, my joy expanded as I found a beautiful red scallop shell in a collection I’ve had for years and finally on Easter Sunday, in a tiny French Boutique I found my “Camino glass”, it has two raised scallops as decoration and a fine wollen orange shawl.
Now each day as I read I have my symbols with me.
Julius all this stems from a conversation with you. We no longer work together and I may not see you again however I encourage you to keep sharing your Camino story whenever you feel to.
walk gently Christine
Dear Paulo!
All my best wishes are with you. May it be a second way full of new inspirations. I hope and believe and thank you for all I got and will get.
Until to the day, the light will grow!
With all the love
Hubert
Greetings Paulo. My Heart is singing my Sou Song.
As I read replys I feel something of myself in other’s words.
Damien I ask permission to take your poetry into my Heart. How amazing that just two hours after your posting Phillip sent the Celtic Blessings which my father gave to me as a gift on my Wedding day. On this site it is not at all strange to share that while my Wedding night revealed a painful truth of betrayal the Blessing sustained and strengthened me for many years and even now, while my father has been dead to Earth for 37 years each time I hear the Blessing I feel him beside me radiating love and encouragment to fulfil my journey.
THEN I find the writing of Julius, who I met while working at St Vincent de Paul in Sydney, and while we have lost contact I feel his presence in the Journey of the Kin Klan of Souls.
To everyone else who for whatever reason cannot physically walk the Camino I join you in Spirit…may our Paths cross in many ways as we Walk Gently on the Path. Love Christine
hello senor,
just wanna say that im a fan from the philippines. im grateful because once again you’re letting us accompany you in your pilgrimage. it is really my wish to see you. take care!
I love your work, and Im loving this blog too. You are doing wonders for me… thank you
Dear Mr. C
have a nice Trip! I’d be happy if you visit germany and come to nuremberg.
You got my adress
I can show you some mystic places full of light and his care!
Feel your way – so feel yourself!
Feel free during your journey! Make your brain free of dates, thoughts, means – let water, wind and light in you!
I feel with you!
yours
Florian
Dear Paulo
Nearly 5 years ago I walked the Camino in Spain being inspired from your wonderful books. It was an amazing experience, which changed my life completely and therefore I am very grateful for that.
On my way in Spain I met Julie from Sydney on that horrifying 11 September 2001 and we both fell in love with each other. But there was another miracle waiting for me arriving in Santiago di Compostela. It was you, Paulo, and I am still excited and thankful for meeting you there in person in front of the big cathedral. Thank you for this remarkable encounter and for your inspiration to so many people.
One year later I left Germany and I now live here in Australia together with my wife Julie whom I married here 3 years ago.
Reading your words again “walking the path” will only strengthen our common wish to walk the Camino together again sometime in the future.
Lots of love for you and your wife.
Julius
Dear Paulo,
Thank you for allowing us to accompany you on this journey….I know that walking the path “virtually” with you on this website in no way compares to actually being there with you but it has given me further understanding of the journey and I am enjoying it greatly.
I am pleased you will be taking time out to see the World Cup games.
Happy trails :)
Cherie
I wish the world will have more such souls like yours! Thank you for all the inspiration I have gathered by your words! Would aweful like to spot you on the Brazil – Croatia match of the World Cup in Germany!
Love, Light, Harmony, Happiness & Health.
J.
Amazing quote:
“So, since I may leave this life early, I have to know as much as possible of the world and relish the happiness I deserve.”
Keep on the inspiration Paulo.
Dear Paulo, as always …..you are inspiring….to say the least . since I have always wanted to do this pilgrimage I will follow your steps imagening walking with you because one day I really will……Thanks! All the best! Monika
Everyday I get up and I do what has to be done to accomplish my dream. I lost people along the way, sometimes I nearly lost myself along the way but I never lost my belief in walking my path.
Because this is why I’m getting up every day.
Sometimes its heaven, sometimes hell, but I love every single second.
There’s something I want to wish you for your journey:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
and the rain fall softly upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
All the best
I very much enjoyed reading this. Thank you,.
Thank you Paulo for writing what’s in our souls things that we can’t write, and let alone understand ourselves.
May your every step
raise the dust of the imagination
of a sleeping world.
May your every smile
brighten the darkness of ignorance
of a fearful culture.
May your every surprise
share in the soul of the world’s laughter
in another day being an adventure.
Wanderer, blessings to you…to us.
Dear Paulo,
May God bless you always. You have been an inspiration in countless ways, and my best wishes to you now and always.
sincerely
Crystal
Dear Paulo,
I have travelled with you in all your journeys from the alchemist to the Zahir. Thanks a lot. And I continue to journey back in these books time and again. Never failed to find a gem unexplored during the last reading. Your journey again probably serves the same purpose. I am with you on this journey also. May this journey be more beautiful than all the others taken before
Regards
Vinay
Dear Pilgrim ,
Like in Chernobil – but in opposite way- the chain reaction was started ever since you began your journey…God blees you for all….
Mirko
Dear Sir,
I am glad to see that you are once again embarking on the journey that changed your life. I wonder if this time when u walk this path again, will u feel same about things or will ur past odious experiences seem trivial and vica versa. I think we percieve the same things differently at different stages in our lives……maybe its an age thing…..hmmm…..But say, is there something you find totally unchanged, and pleasantly so?
I know The Phoenix from the Harry Potter series……a magical creature with a simple lesson…..from death there is life anew.
I read somewhere……’Big shots are only little shots tht shoot longer’……..so when there are mistakes and there are lessons to be learnt…..when u reprimard urself and keep at it……the result is sweet. Besides, if u were good at something instantly, i think there’d be a chance of not completely appreciating such victory……the struggle is potent.
I wish all the best for all your journey’s……occuring, impending……old and new.
I hope u are doing well.
regards,
…….ekta.
Dear Sir,
Its so heartning to see that you are undertaking the journey again….the one that u realise changes your life. I wodner if u’ll see and feel things differently. If wht really moved you then will now seem trivial and vice versa. I say this because everytime i redo something or relive an experience, I find myself reacting differently…..maybe its an age thing….ur perception changes as u grow.
Dont u feel, when ur really sleep depraived and havent slept properly in many nights, when u do rest, u wake up thinking u just laid down. Was it just tiredness or something else u reckon?
Whts in tht speech is like tht sculpture’s and poets story u have mentioned in Maktub……..for each the nuances of his job are prime. The stone to some, the paper to some……..we can only comment on each other. But it is not our place to judge……Critics must realise tht too.
Hope u are doing well.
regards,
….ekta.
Dear Paulo,
You continue to inspire and motivate me and the millions your semantic ripples touch. Keep up the good fight!
I hope to make the pilgrimage someday soon with a friend from Iran I met years ago and have gotten to know after meeting in a Paulo group on yahoo.
I would love to do an artshow based on evoked images from your Manual of the Warrior of Light. As this continues to bubble in my mind and bear fruit, I will be in more formal contact and hope you would be receptive to this idea.
Many thanks for your hard work!
Namaste
Kelly Courtney
Mr. Coelho I thank you. You have inspired me to do things I’d never taught possible.
Thank you Paulo. Your words are always timely and meaningful.
Dear Paulo,
To me your books are such beautiful, amazing and magical guides through life. I do not know if I am ever able to walk the path to Santiago. I’m walking the path of life here myself, so your book is a wonderful guide.
It helps and gives inspiration to find courage to go on.
I once told a spiritual teacher: there are no places to hide in the light. Where can I go then? I need my warm, dark, little cave to hide away!
Your words guided me along the difficult path from stepping out of the cave into the sun. Which is very hard and breathtaking at times and fearful.
But – most of all – beautiful, amazing and magical. I understand now that the light itself is the protection.
So, for the love of God, I will go on and free myself.
I thank the readers who write beautiful, inspiring pieces of their journey and their love. And wish everyone the courage to free themselves and not being afraid anymore of our power to love and to share and to make a difference. To give our hearts the wings they desire and to feel compasion.
Thank you, Paulo, and I wish you and your wife, all the love.
Mirjam, The Netherlands
Thanks Paulo for teaching me that I need feet walk with and wings to fly.
Dear Paulo!
Exactly three years ago I startet from St Jean to Santiago driven by an inner voice to walk the camino an inspired by your book that I read one year earlier. I was so impressed by your story that I wondered if the camino realy existed. I remember that I was very surprised to find out that the camino is not a fiction or part of your story.
For me it was very impressing to realize that after some time the idea of walking the camino resulted into a detailed plan and all plannings ran easily to the 27th of April 2003.
This is to thank you for your inspiration you have given to me. The experiences you achive by walking the camino and the friendships you make left a deep feeling of being blessed.
However is inspired by the camino will feel a strong inner force that will guide you to the perfect start and support you in all preparations for this great walk of your soul. This is when you know, you have to go. Because your soul wants it to do.
Best wishes,
Christian
Señor Coelho;
I am starting my walk from St Jean Pied de Port on May 21st this year, travelling from Norway (a country I know you are quite familiar with) to southern France the day before.
I do not, however, plan to reach Santiago this time, but since a “certain” author in his book “The Pilgrimage” described walking the Pyrenees in quite details, I will look for peace and insight in this area, knowing this is a spiritual part of the Camino.
Your books have been a source of inspiration to me!
Kare
This is must be the third or fourth year that I have been dreaming about walking the path to Santiago. A friend of mine did it with her husband – it took them 6 weeks. My spirit is willing but my body is weak !
Meanwhile , like thousands of others , I walk the path in spirit , grateful for all your stories and wisdom along the way, until the time is right to walk it for real. How do you know when it’s time ?
I’m also practising being a real child …. and delighting in making mistakes.
Love Light and Joy to us all !
Of course Chernobyl happened 20 years ago and not 10.
Dear Paolo, you are currently celebrating 20 years of your inspiring pilgrimage to S d. C and as I write this you are paying your respects to those who died in what can truly be described as the worlds greatest technical disaster, which took place exactly 10 years ago. It was a fateful event but never-the-less, undoubtedly, “a man made disaster”. We humans make mistakes all the time, you may say that is part of being human, but I believe it is our responsibility to learn from our mistakes. We must pass on lessons learned to others in order to avert such tragedies. I would go so far as to say that it is absolutely criminal, when governments and controlling bodies do not tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. For this is the true reason why Chernobyl happened and people all over Europe are still dying as a result of blatant irresponsibility. Thank you Paolo, for your courage and for passing on your life learned lessons. From one of your many “Warriors of the Light”, Sincerely, Paul Vincent Davey