Dear reader:
I have been on this journey since 20 March, this being the way I chose to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of my first pilgrimage on the Way to Santiago. This has taken me to three different continents (Europe, Africa and the Far East) and has enabled me to come into direct contact with thousands of readers, since the moment I decided that it was impossible to celebrate anything without their presence.
At Puente de la Reina I held my first autograph afternoon without any “official planning”, and since then I have managed to combine some organized meetings with other absolutely spontaneous ones. All these autograph-afternoons were followed by parties where together we commemorated the meaning that the path holds: encounters. To commemorate, celebrate, discuss, dance, and respect the mystery of life, but at the same time to understand that we are not alone in this mystery and that we need to share our enchantment with other people who understand our way of thinking.
On 19 April I created this blog together with Paula Braconnot, so that all these experiences could reach beyond physical space and enter virtual space as well. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Paula for her professionalism, love and dedication, which overcame all the technical difficulties.
My next stop before going back home will be Germany, where I will attend the World Cup as guest of FIFA. As I don’t think I will be able to say anything new about football, today I am bringing these texts to an end. Any comments will be most welcome, so that we can perfect the idea of having a blog for occasional conversations.
On 22 June, God willing, I shall be returning to my point of departure, the old mill in the Pyrenees, and right after that I go back to Brazil.
Every two weeks I send a newsletter to interested readers. Whoever wants to receive these can register a
, which is available in some languages.
On one of my first stops on this pilgrimage, I found myself in a village in Spain. There I wrote the text below. I believe that, no matter where we come from, we can always reach far beyond what we imagined. This is the example that Francisco gave us, the example we should follow.
I dedicate this path to my readers. Many thanks for the support you have all lent me, and for the nights that I spent reading your messages, which always encouraged me to proceed on my journey. The meaning of the path lies in people, and we always see the world better when we allow the mystery of our encounters to be unveiled. As the last sentence in The Pilgrimage says: “people always turn up when they are expected.”
Paulo Coelho
I am having coffee on the terrace of the hotel looking on to a castle, a gigantic castle in this little village with few houses in the province of Navarra, Spain. Night has fallen but there is no moon. I am repeating by car my pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the first time I traveled this road.
The village where I find myself, however, is not part of the route, which passes about 19 kilometers from here. I planned to visit it, and here I am. Five hundred years ago a man called Francisco was born in this place. He must have played a lot in the fields that surround the castle. He must have swum in the river that runs close by. The son of rich parents, he left his village to complete his studies at the famous Sorbonne in Paris. I imagine it was his first long journey.
Francis was athletic, good-looking, intelligent and envied by all the other students – except one, who came from the same distant Spanish province and whose name was Ignatius. Ignatius said to him: “Francis, you think too much about yourself. Why don’t you dedicate yourself to thinking about other things, like God, for instance?” I do not know why, but Francis, the most handsome and bravest student at the Sorbonne, is convinced by Ignatius. They get together with other students and found a society which is the laughing stock of all the others, who even write on the door of the room where they meet: Society of Jesus. Instead of feeling offended, they adopt the name. And from that moment on, Francis begins a journey without return.
He goes to Rome with Ignatius and asks the Pope to recognize the “society”. The Pontiff agrees to meet the students, and in order to stimulate them he gives his consent. Francis – who was deadly afraid of ships and the sea – sets off alone to the Orient, imbued with what he considers to be his mission. In the next ten years he visits Africa, India, Sumatra, the Moluccas and Japan. He learns new languages, visits hospitals, prisons, cities and villages. He writes many letters, but none – absolutely none – makes any reference to “tourist” spots in these places. He comments only on the need to bring a word of encouragement and hope to those who are less privileged.
He dies far from the village where I now sit having my coffee, and he is buried in Goa. At a time when the world was immense, distances were almost insurmountable and people lived at war, Francis thought that he should consider the world as a global village. He overcame his fear of the sea and ships and solitude, because he was aware that his life had a meaning. While traveling through the Orient, he does not know that his steps will never be forgotten and that all he has planted will bear fruit; he is doing all this because this is his personal legend, the way he has chosen to lead his life.
Five hundred years later, in the city of Ahmedabad in India, a teacher asks his pupils for a biography of Francis. One of the boys writes: “he was a great architect, because all over the Orient there are schools he built and that bear his name.”
Antonio Falces, who directs one of these colleges, tells me he heard two people chatting:
“Francis was Portuguese,” said one.
“Of course he wasn’t. He was born and buried here in Goa,” answered the other.
They are both wrong, and they are both right: Francis came from a small village in Navarra, but he was a man of the world, and everyone considered him a part of their own people. Nor was he an architect specialized in building schools, but, as one of his first biographers says, “he was like the sun, which cannot move forward without spreading light and heat wherever it passes.”
I think of Francis: leaving here, traveling the world, making the name of this little village known in so many places that many people believe it is his surname. Facing his fears, giving up everything on behalf of his dreams – may this inspire and serve as an example to me, who studied in one of the colleges of the so-called “society of Jesus”, or S.J., or Jesuit schools, as they are known.
Here I am in the village of Javier. Both Francisco and Ignatius, who hailed from another small village called Loyola, were canonized on the same day – 12 March 1622. on that morning a banner was hung on one of the walls of the Vatican:
“Saint Francis Javier worked many miracles. But the miracle of Saint Ignatius was even greater: Francis Javier.”
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I just popped on and noticed (and was surprised to see!) that this blog was still up and running! Was wondering if anyone here knew about Paulo’s Warrior of Light blog, and if not, wanted to extend the invitation to join us there! :)
http://paulocoelhoblog.com/warrioroflight/
-Deb :)
thank you
Hi
I see and I read,and there are so many facts from peoples lifes that are simmilar,and I see facts from mine too.But still,they are only facts,we cant say to somebody I know how you feal,nobody can feal for somebody else.Nobody. I belived in one love,I belived it was possible to love in different ways,different people,but I also belived that it was possible to love only one person,to feel only that person touching the bottom of your heart.And it happened that I finished loving somebody who I had nothing in common ,but I saw something deep inside of him,I felted it there in his beeing.And I didnt know some things then,that I know now,I had a different perception of love,I was selfish and realized that I was mostly thinking about my needs and what I wonted.Still,I wondered so many times why do I love him,because even though my actions were wrong at that time,still I knew it was love what I felted.I know,you dont express love in a way I did it,it was just the best I knew at the time..
Now,it seams so easy,so simple.I asked myself,we both asked ourselves sometimes,why is it that we got together,the two of us,we didnt see the reason.Silly,ha? We were searching for a reason!I feal I was still always one step in front of him,I wanted always to go deep into things,into feelings.I knew it was like that for no reason at all,it was our hearts who had chosen us,and they didnt need any stupid reason for it.
Still,I belived even thoug it was OUR actions ,our decisions that brought us to be together,that it was Gods will to be like that.We didnt know what we were supposed to learn from it,it was so much pain in it,so much hurting,I can see now clearly,I feel free,completly free,finally.
We couldn`t continue,so we broke up a year ago.
Today,I m sitting here writing this,I managed to give my life a sence,I managed to find the strenght inside,and I have so much will to live life,to live every single moment that God gives me,cause we dont know how much time we`re left..
I met other people,that I liked more or less,and we do have things in common,common points of view regarding some aspects in life,but my heart remains in silence,not even a bip.
When,on the other side,when I see,when I read just one of his messages,I feel something I cant describe,I feel him.I just feel.
People say,it will pass,you will fall in love again,they dont understand I didnt fell in love with him,that is also the main problem,that people tent to think that they know what love is and who I would be best with,and usually it is based on some stupidities like where somedbody works,where`s he from,what he posseses,what hes parents do etc.So,it`s useless for me to try and talk to them.They just see love trough their filtred minds,something like I used to do also,before.That is,I thought love has to have some rules,but it is reationships with people that perhaps need to have some rules.Even though I think everybody is free to act the way they choose,just as long as they dony harm anybody.
Now,I can finally say,I LOVE HIM,now I do,he doesnt have to be next to me,I just want for him to follow his dreams,to follow his heart,I hope he`ll manage,I know he could do it,I`m just not sure how much he wants it.
People think,and I used to think too,that it is not possible for people to change,but in fact it`s not people who change,it`s mostly their actions,their thinking,and when that changes,yeah,I suppose we could say that they`ve changed too.One is sure,they will definitly not be the same as they used to be once.
So,to finish,I started abot love,and loving one man.I dont know what future will bring,I dont think about it really,it`s nice not to know,and live the moment.But,I say now,I think,I feal that I `ll never love somebody so high,so deep,eventhough love cannot be mesured,I dont find other words to describe it,I think I`ll never feel somebody again,the way I felted him: Yeah,I know,I`ll feel perhaps in a different way,I`ll care in a different way,but,he`ll always be there,his heart will always be next to mine,no matter where we are,and whom we are with.
Love IS giving,
I now realize that,and I would like to give him,even now,everything,I`d give him everything,still,I don`t have nothing,but my love to warm his heart whenever he thinks of me.
I have so many dreams,things I`d like to do,places I`d like to see,and you say follow your dreams,but you know what `s wird? It`s the fact that whenever I tried to follow my dreams I would finished elsewhere,yeah,it could be just a phase on my road.But,I`m also trying to be realistic about things,I know I wont be able to do all the things I wont,it takes money to do everything,to be alive it takes for one to eat,I have always dreamt of going to Africa,and living there,try to live there,but how?Is`s always some practical things that put a brake on my plans,wishes,dreams..
So you say;follow your dreams,I had a dream,and it used to include another human,so it seems like it`s not really possible to have a dream that includes somebody else because we can only decide for ourselves.
There is one thing though,that I`ll always belive in,and that is that if we ask God for help,he`ll help us,if we just ask him,even though the help might not come in a way we thought it`s suppose to come,it will come.
When you love,you just love,and that it.You just love somebody.
And there is nothing more to say about love,I think you cant really put it in words,these are all just tries to get it closer to people understanding it ,but really to understand it,you have to have it.
You have to be it.
I tried the SPEED EXERCISE (the pilgrimage) while walking back to my apartment and it proved to be one of the most exhilirating experiences in my life. I tried to write my whole experience and it goes like this:
“The light from my Moon gently touched everything that surrounded me making everything live like a plethora of vivid abstractions of all that were, once again, wonderful. I walked homeward slowly, as if in a dream, and breathed the air in complete unison with my pace, looking everywhere and seeing everything for the first time. Air breezed with the perfect humidity making the leaves of the yellow-green tree glow, whispering serenades with an accent of a french poet. The world is a beautiful place, I said to myself, and then I floated. And while on mid-air I saw the street-people sleeping on unused benches and the drunkards with their prostitutes and then I glowed more and became one with a familiar yellow-green tree that I passed by. I floated more and walked even slower as I reached my destination with the emotions of a child seeing his first ice. Then before reaching home I stopped and cried for my uncle with the full acceptance that he is dead and then saw children running about the light-post like a moving chiaroscuro. I offered my uncle and my children tears for moving on and then entered home with so much happiness on the assertion that I am alive: Homeostasis has been attained. And after such a long time I am finally contented with everything that surrounded me, as the electric fan beside me hummed without repose.”
Thank you for sharing a wondrous experience, I am forever thankful.
For so long I wanted to be a part of this blog but never knew what to say. I still don’t know what to say but simply had to express how much I treasure each word in each one of your books Mr. Coelho. My words can never express the way in which your words have touched my heart and soul. Thankyou from the bottom of my heart, a heart full of joy, for enhancing my life.
I was on an airplane enroute to Kazakhstan on a business trip. In the pocket in front of me, I found the Airline magazine and in it was an article that I read about Paulo and his visit to the steppe as well as a bit about The Zahir. When I returned to Europe I saw the book at a bookstore at Schiphol in AMS. The book travelled with me to San Francisco and laid on my bookshelf for weeks until my next trip back to Kazakhstan when I brought it with me and read it.
It made me think about things I already knew about and things that I had clues but did not know much about and things that I had no clue and no knowledge which were enlightening. One of the clues that I had was that like Paulo, I’ve been an adventurer since abandoning the life path that was a “good plan” during the Hippie era and setting off on my own path which like Paulo’s has taken so many turns and twists. It made me think about my life as a journey (I think I am a born nomad, and perhaps why I’m attracted to Kazakhstan), it made me search my heart and soul for whether I was happy or sad ( a little of both and a lot in the middle) whether I truly loved my wife (yes I do but can love other women too).
And it made me rekindle a dream that I would like to write a book about my insights using adventures which I’ve had and which not so coincidentally are similar to Paulo’s which are in reality universal. And like his character in Zahir, maybe just one day, I will start and not stop.
Anyway, the one criterion of great stories is whether they’re real (even if they’re fiction or in the case of the Alchemist, a fairy tale). I think the answer is obvious from all the blogposts here.
Robert
Thank you for all your inspiration which continues to serving children and knowing that the most important thing we can do is nurture dreams and open doors of opportunity.
I am working in the mountains of Peru at 14,000 in a community called, Mayumbamba. 60 or so Indian families are living in isolation. The wonder of Machu Puccha doesn’t warm my heart as the beautiul people of this little community.
No soul is a prisoner of one’s body, when he/she learns to see the world through the eyes of another………especially a child. When we find ways to serve children and our elders living in gross poverty…..a new world opens. When one gives from the heart, there is no difference between the giver and the receiver. Hearts connect and the soul sees beyond the physical body.
Blessings and love………we are all on our own path, it is the right path as long as it has heart. Eloise
I just read “The Alchemist” and am entranced at Paulo’s wisdom and simplicity. I would like to give this book to all my nieces and nephews. Something may resonate as life teaches them lessons so they will know they are not alone on this path to glory. My church is called St James and we read the book in our book club so how serendipitous will it be for us to read “The Pilgrimage” as well. And now, I would like to give you all a little prayer which I think will resonate with Paulo’s fans: [Dr. Bruce Wilkinson wrote a little book on this:]
I Chronicles 4: 9-10 – The Prayer of Jabez
Oh, that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast
And that Thine Hand would be with me
And that Thou wouldest keep me from evil that it may not grieve me.
[And God granted Jabez his request.]
Dear Paolo,
Where shall I begin…I am on a journey myself, journey to finding myself since my soul is a prisoner in my body. Only time I get a glimpse of me is when I write letters to mey dearest friends.
When I discovered you and one of the greatest books I read so far it was enlightment for me. I am talking about 11 minutes.
and now as I walk my path alone, I have Maria in my thoughts
Dear Paolo!
I have readed (and bought) all your books that is translated on Croatiam language. The Piligrim an Zahir are my favorites. You know how to change point of wiew. I treasure those like a paerl. I read Zahir after I give brith to mu third child. It was nice to know that man can love woman that much. After reading a Zahir, I ask myself: Am I happy?. Thank Good, the answer is YES. Yor books are part of my happines. I hope that you going to give me a new pleasure soon. Till then I will read Zahir again (and again).
Thanks! I love you deeply!
Sanja
Hi there
I have read a few of the comments that were left and wow.
I’m on this journey and it’s just so beautiful to live.
I have left the comfort of my life and home in South Africa. Taken this trip to London to experience more , to learn , to enjoy and to endure.
Paulo I haven’t read even half of your books but your words make me feel normal. This is beautiful.
Peace Love Joy
Keep living
Alexandria
I almost finished The Pilgrimage….I feel strange…as there was the right moment for me to read it….
dear pilgrim observer,
Everywhere people are the same.Having similar affections,affectations but different expressions.Your thoughts take us away from the mundane but with our feet firmly on the ground.Love reading your musings on your WAY,so much of truth that’s unseen.
Buen Camino!
This is a greeting you can hear-say-greet-bless everyone on the road. I’ve done the Camino in 2004. Since than my life has changed so much… do not want to start to write ‘coz difficult to stop. Instead would recommend to everyone go and walk the Road.
A hungarian (ex)pilgrim
Sir,
I strongly believe that if GOD was a writer he would write like you.
Love Hemant
Hola,
Soy una persona muy emaradado de mi teirra y mi sangre, aunque ahora viva lejos de ella.
Soy un admirador de aquel que ve el mundo con ojos humildes que presta atencion a todas esas cosas pequeñas que pasan a nuestro alrededor que son tan grandes y que muy poca gente le presta atencion. pero admiro aun mas a la persona que es capay de transmitirla con palabras.
Gracias por todo Paulo.
PS. esto que pido no es para mi, sino para una persona a la que has influido mucho con tus libros. Podrias mandarla una dedicatoria aunque sea por emial.
[quote comment="1143"]u r the best
i die for u my great writter..i love all what u gave me .. new feelings..new hope ..new tears..and new way to see the world ..[/quote]
God bless u
u r the best
i die for u my great writter..i love all what u gave me .. new feelings..new hope ..new tears..and new way to see the world ..
Could you tell me the greeting that the travellers call to each other in Santiago de Compostela?
A good friend of mine has also completed this journey. She is considering returning and I wish to give her some support.
Hi Paul
I discovered you and your book Alchemist in a book stall at Calcutta Book Fair last february, while visiting home after 6 years. I was drwan by the book and knew why after i read it. Because I am like you has given up worldly pursuits to follow my bliss. I am now very encouraged to share my stories like you are doing here. Plan to read more and stay enhanted with life. much gratitude, love and blessings.
Mita
Im in cairo, egypt and just wanted to make sure u know that ppl here luv ur books and are fascinated by u as they r in all other parts of the world.
although going thru difficult times, our country is nevertheless rooted in ancient culture and soil, and we appreciate truth when we see it, or in this case, read it.
I also saw u speak when u came to egypt a couple of years back but i wasn’t as big a fan of u and ur books as i am now, i hope u ll be coming again soon. i am currently reading Like a river flowing and after that i will have only the valkyries left to complete reading all ur books. Im taking it as slow as i can because i dont want to run out of paulo coelho books! i want to have something to read all the time. i also read maktub and was hoping u would translate to english brida and any other books that havent made the language.. anyway. god bless and thanks.
:) How many Russian people I met here… That’s wonderful, that’s your books are so popular and young people read it. As for me, it helps to walk my own way, because in books I can read many advices and examples. And when I have some troubles I always take book and read. And when I finish, I understand that I know the only right way… Thank You a lot!
Sir,
Today is the fourth day of my future, I became aware of you through a friend from India, he read your book in english several years ago. He moved to Texas USA five years ago. and referred to me of your secret. thank you, for making me realize my dream.
In progress, Robert Ochoa
I was very moved with the messages readers sent me for my birthday. You can’t imagine how much you are important to me. Every day I read the emails, the comments and this gives me strength to move ahead. Thank you so much and I wish that we, warriors of light, might always be together.
I believe it is your birthday today , Paulo . Happy Happy New Year !
May the long time sun bless you and gently shine on you as you flow with your river.
Thank you for all your words , all your stories , your generosity of spirit and simply being YOU.
Namasté !
( My birthday year starts every year on 10th June ; ) )
My Teacher and Magician Paulo Coelho
Happy Birthday
Many Many Happy Returns of the day
May Allah always Bless you.
FSK
oh!
i have no words to say
I thank you for all the wonderful writings.
Have a safe journey.
i become come to life after reading ur books
thanks
anvar kerala india
Signs, hm?!
Since many years I felt like experiencing sings all the time, often, rarely, they came in a mass, and other times just no signs.
I felt like crazy, so alone, but I had the fun of it on my own, I really enjoy it. I think signs have many names, some call them imaginations – ‘hokuspkus’, for me I realized they are visions, maybe I can read of it some time more easy. And I try to listen to them now carefull.
Everybody a huge kiss!
Karoline
Thanks for bringing worlds together, I appreciate your direct contact to fans, even thogh I didn’t reached the possibiltiy of personal contact yet.
Respectfully
Karoline
dear mer coeleho tanx for your books.
oh my gosh ……
I think I’m in love. You are a blessed present to the world, Paulo.
Having your inspiring beautiful works, I encounter to a journey without return.
From Indonesia, so very much, I thank you.
I forgot to say a thing, i like very much to make photo of beautyful places, but i’m not able to come near your country to see and make picture of you beautyful wind-mill home, so if you want to present at all of us a picture of it, we will be happy to see, because in your words this place it’s beautiful like nonone places in the world.
Sorry for my english, i’m italian…
[quote comment="1081"]Can some one please tell me how to recognize a “sign”? how to distinguish between ones imagination and a real “sign”? please tell me if anyone has any experience with “signs”.
Dying to know…
Akshatha.[/quote]
A real sing it’s often the same, like a temporal in a august days or similar, but everytime we ask for a sign we are not ready to trust in it, so we ignore it…
Mario Aprea
I think that it’s difficult to find other big man like you in the life. Your simple way to speak about life it’s the way because i read your books. I can learn much from your life, and i’m really sure that i want to realize my dream to became an autor. Two years ago i left my work as computer programmers to find myself and my loosed life, now i’m sure to be really live, and i can’t think that the only way to work for me it’s under the monitor of a pc. I like to walk and see the life in nature, and learn from each thing more bigger than me, like wind, rocks, sea and sky. Today maybe i loose the love of my life because she asked me to find a work to make a family. I’m crying for my love, but i can’t come back to die in a stupid work and loose my dream again. Non all can have a luck to became author, so i want to ask you, what do you think is the right way, with love and stupid work or with dream without my love of life…?
Greetings all!
It has been a while since I have been on here. I am working hard at trying to get through each day. But I cannot lie, my Soul is weary and I am not happy. I am lonely in my current situation and I have feelings towards a man I can never be with. All of this and trying to write a new book is taking it’s toll on my health.
How do I continue to be strong?
I am hoping to hear from some of you at the board.
Blessings
Lisa
x
one man.
thousands feelings and impressions…
Thanks!
Merce
With all my heart, I thank you for all the wonderful writings.
Have a safe journey.
God Bless.
Maoee
Philippines
Can some one please tell me how to recognize a “sign”? how to distinguish between ones imagination and a real “sign”? please tell me if anyone has any experience with “signs”.
Dying to know…
Akshatha.
I am from IRAN.I became interested in you when Iwas 14 years old. all of my friend know me with you.I dont know what to say. but know , one of my big dream is meeting u.& about myself: girl.18 . now my heart is shaking.think to me. it is the best gift for me in the big world. I often send you good wave with my though.my personal wish is to be scientic. I LOVE U FOREVER send me your good though.i wait for them.
Paulo-
would like to say thank you for inspiration from your books and at the same time ask a question:
I am walking the Camino de Santiago and am currently in Sahagun. So far I have followed what the day brings and am open for the signs and have much fun and joy on my way. I met extraordinary people with good energy. What really stunned me was the extreme density of “signs” and incredible coincidences on my way. Also, I have not read your book on the Camino so far. I am reading it while I am on my way and it seems in almost every chapter you describe what I have experienced (attitudes, sentiments, not talking to demon about spiritual things, …). Do you have an explanation for that? Or would you recommend not to search for explanations also in this case?
Wish you a good time
Frank
Flap … for a dodo bird landing … as a dreaming attitude …
*
Poppy love
Love is like poppy
Red and so pretty
You want to catch it
Just a little bit
Love is so funny
But so transitory
You bring it in your mind
Nothing you can find
Love is like a game
Golden flowers fame
You play for winning
Often for crying
Love will be a color
Behind a small door
When heart knocks your soul
In love you may fall
*
busard
Dear Paulo,
My son Mat is off to college, DeVry University, Tinley Park, IL fulfilling his “Personal Legend”. With him he took your books “The Alchemist” and “The Pilgrimage”. I finished the latter just before he left so he could get it read. Thank you for your beautiful and inspiring words in the “Alchemist”, it really made a difference in his life and many others. He and I will continue to read your books and follow your travels.
Bless you always,
Teresa
Hello! Today is cloudy and gentle rain falls. It is a good day for Earth and also a good day to be home. Before closing the net I felt to revisit this blog and I am now smiling as I see the last entry was the 11/7. Warriors of Light simply do not shut down!
So much has happened since that very first day I discovered this site, including THE soccer which certainly captured the attention of Sydney!
I still have the tangible symbols which from the beginning just dropped into my lap or at my feet as my Spirit walked the Camino.
Now to-day I look inside and find the symbol of Renewal has permeated my cells and I am ‘walking in a new way. I began tai chi classes and now each morning my body wakes me to get up and began the exercises and play with the energy. Yesterday, by chance (?) I went to Theosophy Library and found a meditation course was scheduled to begin…I stayed and my Spirit is smiling. My diet has naturally changed, I’ve lost weight and feel ready to begin again!
Perhaps it was natural timing? or not? However walking this Path these past months has nurtured a part of me which felt alien and lonely. A deep inner aspect that so longed to go adventuring with others yet has always been the one left at home alone…now that has passed and I am content.
I have a ‘different timing’ around me and ‘in a new way’ acknowledge and accept parts of me that are ‘unskilled’ …ie judgemental etc.
Essentially I hold a deeper sense of who I am and have patience with who I am becoming. I guess it is a sense of self trust, or confidence.
Paulo you are a ‘real’ Teacher and Mentor, warts and all!
With deep respect Christine.
PS When are you coming DownUnder…Australia and New Zealand are just across the ocean!
dearest paulo,
thank you for being God’s instrument and bringing the Love and Light through your words.
Hope you’ve had a safe journey home. I really hope this blog stays… :)
Hi Paulo and whoever’s reading this! I just stumbled on the official website, not really that i stumbled. i just put on google “Paulo Coelho” and there i saw the official website, and then this blog. i read each and every message here. i have a lot of work to do, but i just cudnt take off my eyes from here. i have so far read ” the zahor”(the first book i read), “the alchemist”, “eleven minutes” and now on the verge of finishing “the pildrimage”. there’s something about Paulo, that, everytime i saw his books on the shelves of various book stores, i felt the urge to buy, but something stopped me for doing so, may the universe wanted me to read these books, only when the time was “right”. there are a lotof things that i felt while reading, but have not been able to express. but definitely the books have left a mark on me. i am now so addicted to the author, that i come to last few pages of one book, and i rush to the book store for the next. it’s a must for me to read atleast couple of pages before retiring for the day.
However, on this blog, i havent found anyone who has mentioned “eleven minutes”, like everyone else, i loved “the zahir” “the alchemist” and “the pilgrimage” , but was just wondering why no one has talked about “eleven minutes” i thot the book was fantastic. initially my reading dodnt pick up, but soon, i cudnt put it down. my be for me as a person, the kind of thots that run in my head, this book made a lot of sense, about relationships, about love and being in love. i think we have forgotten the basic nature of our souls, to be loving, caring, kind, gentle, and ever forgiving. i also think that our this thing called society has spoiled things for us, more than good us an good. we are all tied down in the name of feelings, sentiments and relationships. let me also say that, i have a lovely parents, a sister, and a beautiful person for my husband. absolutely have no problems, but is it sad that the society has tied us down. i wish we cud be as free as the bird in the sky. anyway, i’ll stop it here. and if anyone wud like to put in your opinion about the book, or about the thot that i have put here, i’d be very happy. i love knowing people, thier feelings, thots, experiences, and opinions.
Love to all
Akshatha.
Mr. Coelho, I don’t know what else to say. How you have come so far in your beliefs, in your opinions, and in your views is a mystery to me. For years I have fought my own contradictions and battled my hypocrisies to find where I truly stand. But I never imagined, until reading your books, that contradictions are what make us human, and that it is not necessarily a bad thing to have them.
What I loved most, though, about your books is how much I identified with them. For years I thought these ideas I had were something out of order in life, and that I was focusing on things that I shouldn’t have, instead of wanting to go out and get drunk or do drugs like most teens (I’m 17, btw.)
I just finished the Pilgrimage, one of my favorite novels ever, and I have been inspired to walk the Road of Santiago as well, not to, as you say, follow the models. I want to experience something new. I want to experience something otherwordly. I want to understand and truly FEEL agape.
Your writing hasn’t set me on a path. It’s taught me to create my own path through the jungle. Thank you.
dear mr. paulo coelho
your writings had changed my life and although i’m just 15 years old , lately I have been seeing things from a whole new perspective . you have enriched my life with your wisdom , and for that I shall thank you . your wonderful book “alchemist” which is truly a piece of art is now in the fourth bestselling book in virgin megastore kuwait . May God bless you with strength, peace and health .
Dear Paulo!
Now I think and hope you are on that place I spoke about last time on the blog! Enjoy it!
There always is a place you are expected with love, and when the time is right I hope to see you, if you want.
Greetings to Christina and Monica!
Hubert
Mr Coelho, I must say that I have never read a greater, more beautiful and magic story then the alchemist. It touched me deeply and, to be honest, you wrote down words to the thoughts I´ve had about life and dreams for long. But you developed them. I´ve read many of your novels, but the alchemist is still my favorite. So thank you for all the work you´ve done. We are alot of people who appreciate it. I have always been a romantic dreamer, and in my world there is no such thing as not following your dreams. My environment do not share thees thoughts with me, so I am happy to see that there are people that dose. Thank you, once again. /Lina
hi mr paulo again,the best things in life that when u live your life and can’t explain your feelings and your emotions even everything cause we can’t find the words,you found it for us and still,thank u for everywords u wrote and still,the last book i read it for u is veronika decide to die cause i passedsuch a bad days in my life as veronika by seeing the departure of my friends,the illness everywhere and we can’t do anything even asking myself if there’s GOD up there but of course i didn’t think of suicide cause i have hope and of course it’s not solution by killing yourself cause u punish yourself not else and u gave hope for the persons who think of…thank u cause u bring light to our days by your books and ALLAH bless u and i hope to share the path with u and i like the piligrinage but we’re the muslams do it to mekka but feelings are the same and god is one and we are a human being we should love each other without waiting anything to get it back only love is what we need these days,i hope to see u soon in lebanon and still 2 books for u i didnt read it the valkyries and brida,,,a millions thanks and please as u’re sharing your thoughts with us,we’d like to share ours with u..can u bear it
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