I learned from my niece that my new book “The Witch of Portobello”, even before it was printed, was already circulating in its full version on the Internet. I was intrigued: how could that have happened?
My next step, naturally, was to look in all the search mechanisms where the manuscript could be found. The result was: nowhere. Even so, my niece showed me the original. I imagined that it had been sent by one of the five persons to whom I usually show my texts prior to publication. But that would mean casting suspicion on people whom I love; furthermore, I have been sending my unpublished manuscripts to them for years, and nothing has ever, let us say, “leaked out” to the public at large. Nor could it have leaked out via the editors, since they have not the least interest in releasing for free something that is their source of income.
I decided to leave the matter alone. After all, the Internet is a way of making culture truly democratic. But I insisted that my 24-year-old niece tell me where she had managed to obtain the manuscript. After much reluctance, she revealed to me a universe that I, who have been navigating on the Web for ten years, was utterly unaware of and that is absolutely impossible to control (as I shall explain at the end, although I feel that a lot of the people reading this newsletter know what I am talking about).
So, seeing that it was no use fighting against the impossible, I asked to visit this gigantic web. In other words, for four hours I became a “pirate” of myself. My niece insists that there is nothing wrong, that this is Internet culture, that this is what is changing the world, not the demonstrations against globalization in world forums.
What is the Internet culture? According to her, you have basic rights to information and pleasure. If you have money to buy a book, go ahead and buy it – it is much nicer to read in print. But if you don’t have money, your rights continue – and you have to find a way to exercise them.
How? There is a strange zone on the network called “Peer 2 Peer”. I looked for a translation (in a free dictionary on the Internet), and this means something like “from friend to friend”.
How did it start? My niece has the answer on the point of her tongue. At first it was just wanting to chat with others. Then came the need to chat with several people at the same time. But chatting isn’t enough – we have to share the music, the book or the film that we love. When there was no law against it, this information was exchanged freely. Finally, when the entertainment industry caught on and the repression began, the young people on the Internet always managed to keep one step ahead, and so the thing continues.
The concept has changed too: it used to be sharing something you admired with friends, now it is offering everyone something you feel should be shared.
The mechanism works more or less like this: I buy a book, and I like it, so I make a digital photocopy of its pages and put it in my computer, and at the same time I open a tunnel for anyone to come in here and take it. On my side, I enter this tunnel and go to the computers of others to take anything that interests me (usually music and films). Little by little this material is stocked all over the world, and nobody manages any more to prevent it being copied.
Then she showed me that in just one of the many “Peer 2 Peer” sites I have 325 works, in several languages, in hundreds or thousands of computers. I confess that I felt most honored by this proof that readers are truly the essential instrument for publicizing a work, even if this is not done by conventional means.
Of course, I am not going to show anyone how to get there – that involves a series of legal mechanisms that could complicate my life. Nor is it any use digitizing the expression in the search mechanisms: they won’t teach you the ropes. But if you have someone at home aged under 18, they are bound to have already a collection of songs that came from there. Ask your son, grandson or nephew.
But please don’t tell them that I have just discovered this now: they will think that I am too old, and I’ll lose a reader.
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Flap … for a funny Dodo bird landing …
However we must consider that someone has made a copy of your last book … even if you sent it by mail!
busardly
you’ll never lose you’re readers don’t worry. I’m one of them.
Dear Paulo,
I think it’s pretty amazing of how accepting you are of the internet revolution and the loopholes young people will never cease to find while wanting to own a product they can’t always afford it.
Of course it will never replace the pure joy of reading a hard copy of a book. In India(I don’t know about which other countries)of course,in addition to P2P we have the ‘not so legal’ paperback versions of your books and most books for that matter which sell on the shopping street sidewalks at about Rs.60-80/- (Just over 1EUR depending on how good your bargaining skills are;). Since i was never into downloading too much, a couple of years ago when I was still in college and couldn’t afford books, I bought The Alchemist , Manual of the Warrior of Light and The Pilgrimage from the side of street at an average of about Rs70/- a book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading them. Now that I’m working and can afford it, I just bought Like the Flowing River – Thoughts and Reflections in the stores at Rs.295/- and proudly own my 1st legal copy of a Coelho book:) It’s a brilliantly compiled and inspiring book.
Thank you for yet another great literary work and your charming compassion.
Best regards,
Amritha.
What will Harper Collins and the other
publishinghouses, who now are earning their
money on selling your books, say about this?
Hopefully they will find you still
profitable enough to dare to let free
editions out via your webpage (as they
anyway excist on the p2p-nets).
I’m anyway curious about their reaction,
let us know!
Greetings,
Josephine
Thank you very much for doing you best…as always.
Thank you as well for your generosity.
You choose to lose the royalties ($$$) rather than lose 1 reader. You choose not to be angered by the steal but instead, even share all that you have.
May all warriors be like you.
To he who has been given much, much is expected. And you have certainly given much..and still giving. May you never tire of “paying forward”.
In my native tongue, I say, MABUHAY KA! Long Live Paolo Coelho!
i never heard of this. i know about free movies, but books??
Hi Paulo,
Your latest WOL issue simply proves to me that you are indeed a man who truly believes in everything that you do and say, and thus you should very rightfully be known as a Warrior Of Light.
Thank you for all you have taught me over the years and please continue your inspiring work.
Never stop smiling!
Nev.
Hay all,
I come from Ireland, which is a Catholic country. The story Paulo just told reminded me so much of a bible story that I use to hear in school about Jesus and the loaves and the fish. The story where Jesus brought the people into the desert, they had no food to eat. The little food that there was, was handed to Jesus. He then began to hand it out to the people. The miracle began to happen and suddenly there was enough food for everyone. Hundreds of people ate that day.
Wow!! A modern day version!
I am intrigued….. WIll consult with my “Guru”a.k.a. Philippe -my son – on these matters. Stay tuned. Marie-Christine
Warrior of Light
The tempest is back from the beyond.
I’m disarmed as I was then.
Perhaps the storm had never settled.
And those days were the lull between storms.
Or maybe the universe conspired to let me harvest
the rare strength that only warriors of Light hold
I’m a warrior of Light, too.
And my strength lies in Love
that smiles from the center of my being.
Dear Paulo,
“But please don’t tell them that I have just discovered this now: they will think that I am too old, and I’ll lose a reader.”
I suppose I am included in the ‘sons’ or ‘grandsons’ group, as I am 16, but don`t you worry, I don`t think you are too old and because of the text in this issue you won`t lose me as a reder :) .
What I actually want to say is the story about how I discovered your art.
It was around April or May 2006 (maybe a couple months around), when you visited my country, Bulgaria. By that time I had not read any work of yours and all I knew was your name (now can you imagine that :P ). A week or two after you had left I run across ‘The Warrior of the light’ on the internet and I took a peak ( ok, I admit it! :) ). The peak became deep interest, then it turned into nice, solid and sweet smelling hardcover book in my hand two days later :) . So p2p has won you a reader :)
I believe that p2p is great, although the copyright problems that occur all the time. If you really enjoy something and you can afford it, you buy it. Meanwhile you can warm up in front of the computer screen ( although I doubt I will ever put my eyes on such torture again!).
It is really nice to read your opinion posted down in the comments, don`t hesitate to post, we all wait for it eagerly :P
With excuses for perhaps the bad English (you learn `till you die) and with with satisfaction of writing,
Deyan
Thank you very much Paulo! I am looking forward to read more of your work. I am reading The Zahir right now (my first Coelho :) and I love it! However, I can not read it is fast as I usually read, there is so many reflections and thoughts coming up, which is nice but at times annoying :)
But, since I am a single mother of two and studying full time at the University all my money goes to the literature I *have* to read. Ok, not all but much of it, I am a book addict and will continue to buy books. However, this way I can choose to read for free IF I want and need to do so. Personally I want to own my books and after I have read them I often pass my favourites along to someone else…that would be p2p but in an even nicer way :)
Take care,
Anna
Hi Paulo,
Yesterday I was telling my teenaged sons about how your book got ‘leaked out’ before being printed and they told me that the same thing happened to one of our favorite bands – their album appeared on the internet before it was even out. So I guess it’s a pretty common thing. (?!)
My son suggested that perhaps it was the work of hackers- something that I hadn’t even thought of! I was blaming your associates, being the trusting person that I am. :) I imagine that you’ve already thought of this scenario, but thought I’d mention it in the off chance that you hadn’t.
Regardless, I am happy to see that you are not annoyed about the situation. And, I thank you for your generosity in your plans to publish your books on your website. That’s very kind of you! But…. I HATE reading books off the internet! ;) hee hee! :) I’ve got a better idea…why don’t you send us all free hard copies of your books!! Send mine in English, please. :) I’m just being a smartass, as usual, go ahead and ignore me! :)
Thanks again for everything. It was nice hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Deb :) The perpetual smartass
Thank You for Your Light. It helps people better understand this world and not to lose the hope and faith.
Best regards,
Andrew
Dear Paulo,
I do believe that this small note making all us warriors really feel a part of a “pack”, has more meaning to all of us than the worries of good translation, if anything will ever last forever it surely has to be your books and their eternal mark from generation to generation. Your books are the best gift we can pass on to our progeniture.
all the best, bon courage a tous
stellaxxxxxxxxxx
Dear Paulo:
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Christine
Your conclusion in the first line “IF I published an Warrior of Light Online drawing attention to the P2P that means tha I am not at all upset”. Does it follow automatically ? To me your tone appeared neutral, upset over the fact that your book was available on the net without your consent, but at the same time gleeful at a new discovery. Good that u have made u’r stand clearer on the issue.
with lots of love & respect
Aditya
Nice to hear from you Paulo !
Aditya
Dear Paulo, Aditya and everyone ,
I’ve been asking my higher self about scarcity and abundance and today I came across these quotes by Eckhart Tolle in my reading.
Whatever you think the world is withholding from you , you are withholding from the world. You are withholding it because deep down you think you are small and that you have nothing to give ”
– Eckhart Tolle , ” A New Earth ”
The source of all abundance is not outside you . It is part of who you are., However, start by acknowledging and recognising the abundance without. See the fullness of life around you . The warmth of the sun on your skin, the display of magnificent flowers outside a florists shop, biting into a succulent fruit , or getting soaked in an abundance of water falling from the sky . The fullness of life is there at every step. The acknowledgement of that abundance that is all around you awakens the dormant abundance within. Then let it flow out.
– Eckhart Tolle , ” A New Earth ”
Both abundance and scarcity are inner states that manifest as your reality. Jesus puts it like this : For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not , even what he has will be taken away.”
– Eckhart Tolle , ” A New Earth ”
Love to us all. Blessings to all sharings !
Thank YOU ,Paulo.
I’m sure that as a Warrior of The Light you knew what you were doing and that you are not upset.
I appreciate your response and generous sharing with us, your readers.
Namasté ,
Mara
I want you all to understand that IF I published an Warrior of Light Online drawing attention to the P2P that means tha I am not at all upset. By the way, Paula Bracconot and I will put, as soon as possible, ALL the editions that we can find in Internet for free donwload (in my website). This may take some days, but I hope Paula will be efficient enough to find the editions (it is her task!).
I have to deal with translation rights, so I cannot guarantee that
a] it is a good translation
b] that the free download will stay there forever.
c] that readers can deal with torrent, emule, etc.
But we will do our best.
Thank you for your support
Paulo
Dear Paulo,
Its my first chance to reach out to you.I dont know if you will read what I write, but your words reach out across barriers that we all try to put up with each other.As I write this , your books are translated into indian languages where little kids will read and understand the grand truth in very simple words and will understand.
Its a great gift given to you,and whats more important , you have shared it.It gives great peace to many troubled people all across the world.
-Chandra
Reading this charming, and more than urgent to the
day, story about Peer 2 Peer, i realized that it
reflects the absolute magic of Your, Paulo, amazing
and brilliant books.
Of course, being in the bookstore we all realize the
genuine passion and wish of our heart by buying Your
books; but i felt that in the case of people who
generously lay out on their computers any materials of
their affection to the whole world, LOVE reveals
itself even in a more divine way.
To buy a gift or anything in a store is wonderful; but
it is far more precious and true when we share the
piece of our heart and life through the object we
GIVE.
Here, Your books become the magical sparkles that
changed and enlightened many human paths; they became
personal beacons of light;
to share this guiding light with the whole universe i
think is the brightest manifestation of the TRUE LOVE
- To You, dear Magician Paulo and all humans… for
this light unites us all into one big heart beating
with love.And internet is some form of this heart as
well :)
Thank You for sharing this live, touching moments of
Your life, Paulo :)
with love to everyone here,
Dasha
Aloha Sangemaru,
I agree with you, printing would cost more than buying the book. I don’t know how much our dear friends, Paulo’s books would be, I will check today but by our standards, $10 is cheap. I am glad that your economy allows you to have a few RON leftover to have some fun and Romania must be a beautiful country. As far as the blackmarket, you are right on that point too. If there was no other way to obtain Paulo’s book or anything else for that matter that I wanted or needed, I would go to the Blackmarket tooo.
God Bless all of you.
Aloha,
Ikuaaloha
Ah, the mysteries of the Internet world revealed.
Don’t worry Paulo, nobody will think you old for only discovering this now. It is how the world works.
Just like we discover everything else, there seems to be a whole world developed around one subject that we’ve never heard of before, or, what we’ve heard is sometimes incorrect and not very detailed.
Maybe the issues between copyright and piracy will never be resolved. Maybe copyright should truly be protected. I can’t present an objective point of view on this subject.
I live in Romania, and of your books I’ve read ‘The Alchemist’ and ‘Zahir’.
As a bit of Trivia, the average sell price of your books is around 20-25 RON here. This is our currency. 25 RON roughly equals about 10 american $$. The average salary/month for 8 hours of work/day is somewhere around 400 RON, roughly around 140 $$. With our impending entrance into the European Union, however, the prices practiced in Romania are in many cases, bigger than those practiced in other countries with far greater economy.
Even so, life isn’t that hard around here. Overall, financially speaking, we even have enough left after spending for homely issues to have some fun. However, I believe this sort of illustrates the problem fairly. We can hardly afford to pay for copyrighted material, however our need to improve our culture, our minds, still exists.
This proves the point even better for some countries which have it tremendously worse.
THIS is why piracy exists, has existed and will continue to proliferate. It can’t be helped.
I hope I’ve shed some light on the issue for those interested.
Cutting my rant here, I’ve greatly appreciated your books so far, and look forward to reading more.
PS: Writers are generally least affected by piracy, because no one really appreciates messing their eyes up staring at the screen all day, and printing books is generally even more costly than buying them.
Paulo does post, but primarily in the “Discuss” section (see top of the page).
Cheers,
Veronica
[quote post="18"]I just wish paulo would also write a few follw up blogs, may be one or two at least. On one hand it can be useful to all of us who are here and hence has a potential of increasing the no. of people who visit here, but on the other hand such a thing may be unmanagable from his point of view. [/quote]
Peer 2 Peer, I think on one level is just another ‘subculture’ for people in the know. Human’s like to think thay know some secret to other people…insecure? On another level (and it’s different reasons for different people) it’s about bucking the system and anarchy, that’s why the young ‘enjoy’ it.
Sure Paulo is relaxed about it BUT if it was his first book….would he be so gracious?……I think he would admit he’d feel different?
….my 2 cent’s worth
HI Mara !
Thanks for your kind words, being associated with thsi WOL Bolg somehow seems to bring ourt the best in me, seeing others also doing the same. I don’t think Paulo really minds peer to peer thing ( he may be on the verge of joining ( exploring ) it )and neither being at the receving end of one of it’s so called disadvantages, that of loosing royalty. I have not read all of his books, three or four may be, i know i can get all of them and finish them in maybe a month but i don’t want a crash course of Paulo, His books seem to grow on me, and I enjoy growing up at my own pace. Whatever image I have of the man, paulo appears to be a man of saintly wisdom.
U’r following sentence “How long will it take before I , and others will come out of scarcity thinking and into abundance ?” has sent me thinking and am reminded of a story which I have come across often in OSHO’s writings that of Alexander & Diogenes ( I don’t think I got that spelling right ! ) Their supposed dilogue before the young young prince was leaving for conquring the world. The old man was living of almost nothing and was happy which intrigued the prince who felt that he will be happy only after his mission is accomplished. Is it possible to have a soulful hunger for more while at the same time being perfectly satieted with the present ?
I just wish paulo would also write a few follw up blogs, may be one or two at least. On one hand it can be useful to all of us who are here and hence has a potential of increasing the no. of people who visit here, but on the other hand such a thing may be unmanagable from his point of view. Anyway i can always make a request and not feel bitter if it’s not accepted. As I remember, Paulo does not take any disciples; but what is being done here thru his writings is nothing sort of education – that too of the highest ( or closest to the soul if u prefer ) kind.
regards
Aditya
For those of you who have said or thought, that peer to peer file sharing is stealing….would the ancient art of storytelling…passing a story by word of mouth be stealing or gossiping?
IT WAS MEEE!
It was me who distrubuted your book!
Back again …..
It seems that my beliefs resonate better with Eastern ones ( lol ) in line with what Deepali , Aditya and Vishesh say . ( I love all these names )
We have much to learn from the East when it comes to spiritual Laws- The Laws of the Universe. People like Deepak Chopra and Dr Roberto Assagioli ( founder of Psychosynthesis ) and Paulo Coelho and others are among the builders of bridges between East and West; the Laws of the Universe and our Human Social Ethical MOral Laws.
Since we are flesh and blood and spirit and we live in outer and inner worlds , I suppose we need both sets of laws.
Even Jesus said , render unto Ceasar what is Ceasar’s and to God what is God’s .
the Internet is NEW. What would Jesus say about royalties and copyrights ? would he say it was stealing ? I doubt it, He would probably give a similar ambigious answer.
It is up to each and every one of us to say what is stealing and what isn’t. It is our peronal belief that matters. So, if you think it is stealing , I have to agree with you , because that is YOUR belief and that will be your world.
Personally , I love sharing. I blog ,I write , I share my ideas and skills freely, .. I don’t think any of my stuff is copyright or think too much about getting paid for it .
Addmittedly , I also complain about lack of funds , but then for over 50 years the Universe has ALWAYS seen to my needs. Amazing. How long will it take before I , and others will come out of scarcity thinking and into abundance ?
I don’t think the people who have downloaded Paulo’s book are DEPRIVING him of anything. Paulo is so rich in many ways and I am sure it is because he shares himself with us so freely and openly.
” The more I share myself with the world , the more there is of me to share ” is my motto.
Namasté , love and laughter to us all.
Mara ( Born in the U.K,living in Sweden of Latvian – a parents , a multi- dimensional being and citizen of the Universe :-) )
if u get the credit for your work then all is done and ya most of use peer to peer it is basically because it lets us get things for free so there is no disappointment that we wasted our money on something uselese.sometimes we can share it with our frnds through this way.waiting for your next book
In our ancient India, Brahmins who were the custodians of Knowledge were expressely frbidden to make any profit out of their knowledge and also their creations. Gr8 calamity is supposed to befall those who profit from their knowledge and their creations of the modern IPR kind. Logic being that no human alone can create any knowledge, afterall it’s the whole who tecahes u everything from where u recombine to create something new. Ya ! ‘dakshina’ was accepted, that is if u share your welath of knowledge with someone, whatever he wishes he may give, something he must give in return but it’s value can not be fixed by giver.
In a way, this peer to peer thing is justifiable. justifiable or not it’s here to stay.
The Old Man Who was not very Old & The Young Man who was not very young
The Master was sick of his students finding out that he was old and not of this time, they would sit and listen to his stories for hours, gain insight and leave him, thinking that they now knew everything that he knew and that they now were the masters of the earth.
A student of his had listened to most of his stories; he gained more than insight and understood the founding properties of the Masters words of the universal language. He was a simple boy, he did not want much from life. He knew he would never gain Gold, but only silver and kept quiet a lot of the time. He never corrected the Master, because he knew that he was telling stories and not facts, but he began to notice that a special bond was building between them. The boy had travelled through hell early in his life, the Master knew this but the not so young boy was only learning this from the Master.
One day the Master came to the boy and began to ask him questions about the town that was a few miles away. The boy informed him of very intricate details on society, things that were not for the ears of man to hear and only masters. When they were finished the conversation the boy went back sweeping the autumn leaves from the pathway. The Master went home to meditate, he had a lot to think about.
I am sorry, but I call this pure stealing.
If people do not have the money to buy a book, they can go to a library. I can not symphatize, sorry.
Also: “What goes around, comes around.”
Today we think we can steal someones intellectual property, but our action will find it’s way right back to us! So who we are cheating really?
Hi Paulo,
The first thought that came to my mind in regards to your posting was the idea of ‘an even exchange of energy.’
When I first started selling things that I’ve made (pottery, jewelry and now paintings), I was feeling as if I was selling my soul because I was selling them for little money, yet I had put so much time and energy into them. It didn’t feel like it was worth it. Then someone pointed out to me the idea of an even exchange of energy – that you have to feel that the energy you are receiving is equal to the energy that you put into it, or greater. To me, no amount of money felt equal to the expression of my soul. I preferred giving things away, instead, because the love I received equalled the love I gave. ( I admit I have an issue with money to overcome!)
My point? Well, that was the first thing I thought of – that you weren’t getting the money that was due you and so the exchange wasn’t equal, but then I rememebered that it’s not always about the money. And, that the people that are reading your books online would be feeling and sending you love, no doubt equal to and perhaps exceeding the love you put into the words.
I still agree with the sentiments above, that as a struggling writer who needs money to put food on the table, that this isn’t good business!! :) But in your case, it’s probably all in God’s plan to keep the love you have expressed circulating.
I have always toyed with the idea of writing books because at least with books, you aren’t having to give up your original work! Art is so difficult in that respect because each work is like a unique child, and who can give up their children for money, ya know? Well, there are days, though, with my kids! Ha! :) Just kidding of course, as always…
So, take care, Paulo, and keep that love circulating…
Sincerely,
-Deb:) Who will also always buy your books in physical form.
i love and second what mara wrote. There is nothing that has rights and access to our minds and our reactions , oh so individualistic ! God took a lot of pains to make us of so many types , let us enjoy the difference.
I too have crossed 50 and stumble in the electronic world . i shall only make use of it , as i understand it and does not intrude in my system of right and wrong.
each book has its own aura, its own halo and its own fragrance . Hold it and it gives you warmth . Not so the internet page !
Keep writing Paulo , it is for us to savor your words . and how i look forward to it ….
ha ha! it makes me laugh, it’s cute, it really is! :-)
And do you know what is the most sold item over internet?
(from what I read some time ago, but I don’t think it has changed…?) – right… books.
I believe there are some good writers today who have begun by writing their stuff on internet. There are b.ex. several Swedish bloggers who (also) have had their books published the last year since the “blogging-boom” started. Reading and writing (or writing and reading) is a quite unlimited phenomenon.
Yesterday I read your book “The fifth mountain”. How well do I not recognize this fascination for the beginning of (modern) writing. :-) The part where he goes back and helps rebuild the city touched an old memory from a love-novel I once read. I woman who was used to get admired for her music, but discovers that at the new place she comes to, none of that counts and she is forced to learn new skills and instead of being the one who makes others listen she must learn to listen and to help.
Anyway, I will still have to wait for the English version of “The Witch”, so you don’t have to worry! ;-)
oh, welcome dear friend
to ‘peer to peer’ and the internet
I wish I will be a writer like you someday, of course i’ll do it in my way. i am still 20 years old, the road still far and long. And I hope that there is a welcome for me in that ‘writer’ world.
namaste
dont stop writing my friend, you’re my inspiration
Hello all
About the internet .. i do not think that this peer to peer thing is about the desire to know or read . it is about the desire to possess and be intelligent and spectacular. True readers adore the books .. love wandering in bookshops ..enjoy holding the books..I am an internet heavy user and a heavy reader as well, maybe i can work through internet but i can never read from a screen with the passion i do while holding the book in my hand and smelling the pages. a book is still charm and magic to me even if the internet was the crystal ball for others…
Aloha Paulo,
Mahalo (thank you) for your simple explanation of the Internet and its mysteries. It is amazing isn’t it? Now, I will be very selective as to what I save onto my hard drive!Ha!
Many times I have told my daughter to be very careful what she puts out on the internet as the whole world will see it!
And lo and behold, I was right. Paulo, I have to say that when whomever printed out your book without your “permission”, whether you got paid for it or not, is “theft”, unless, you had the initial “intention” for all to get it the way they did, and you didn’t right? So that is my concern. But, you don’t seem to be concerned about it and that is your “kuleana” (right,business) While the internet is a fabulous “communicative” tool, abuse is out there, and we must be careful.
I have not yet read any of your books, and when I do, I will pay for it.
A hui hou!
Aloha,
Ikuaaloha
Ciao Paulo!
I must say that this Warrior of the Light was very interesting…and as a 20 year old, as soon as I get home I’m going to try and find this new story you have presented to the world!
However, when it reaches the shores of New York, I will also be one of the first people to buy it. I used the Internet before to find stories of yours that I may not have read. I also participated in the author chat that you did at BarnesandNoble.com.
One of my professors at school shared this story of her sister who was always jealous of my professor since she went all the way with her schooling. My professor just told her that in this day and age, all you need is a computer, and that lets you reach so much knowledge.
As a young person, I also see how the internet makes us impatient. If something is not available to us in a quick second we become antsy.
Looking forward to reading your new book,
Kristina =)
Oh you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
I am at work and I decided that I wanted to read about you and then I had the opportunity to post a message that you may or may not read.
Your books have changed my life. Your books have made my life better.
I read Veronika Decides to Die in one day. I had no idea it was about redemption until recently.
11 Minutes took 2 days. I believe it was about Lust.
The Zahir took me one day. I think it is about obsession.
You are such a gift to humanity as are your books.
Please do not let that go to your head.
Much love and respect,
Alana Gans
P.S. I find that the boys seem to enjoy the alchemist and valkyries and all that stuff…..It’s Interesting, just something I have noticed.
Please keep writing.
You truly are the most beautiful person on earth. If I only had 1% of you I’d be the happiest person alive. You are an inspiration to many, you have the gift of bringing out the best in people, including me.
The world needs more and more people like you and I sincerely would like to thank you for each sentence you have written and will write.
Peer 2 peer explained by the Warrior
Welcome Paolo
Welcome..
Hi all,
firstly Deb that is fantastic news, I couldn’t have suggested better (I’m actually a specialized personal fitness trainer). Nothing like exercise to regularize an irregular heart beat. I was actually diagnozed with that as a teenager…and what do you know, I have two of my own today! All the best.
“From Friend to Friend”… isn’t it just so true about how much we can learn about ourselves through the thoughts and feelings of others, and if they are true friends they will only give the truth… and eventually every thought, every feeling will eventually somehow find its way home!!!
Love to all
stella
This is a very interesting story , Paulo. I feel quite excited reading what you have written in ” Friend to Friend “. The internet IS amazing , isn’t it, comparable to the ” world soul ” and ” the collective unconsious “… apart from the fact that it was designed and created by human beings .. co – creating with the creator of ALL -THAT- IS.
The Internet seems to have taken off .. it is growing up and become a teenager … forcing us to have a fresh look at our values and morals and ethics.
The Internet , like many other people and things is a reflection …. a mirror of who we are.
Where did YOUR thoughts come from originally? Where did MY thoughts come from ? Who owns our thoughts ? Is there a copyright on thoughts ?
I know that this topic involves legal issues .. people make their living from writing and painting , etc .. so they should be paid for it. It seems unfair that people by sharing are getting things ” for free ” and ” ahead of time ”
My financial resources are limited, but I still buy your books. Even if I found your new book on the internet, I would still buy it. I make notes in the margins ,,, I underline .. I scribble in the book .. I personalise it . There IS no substitute.
I question and doubt that this phenomenon is robbing or depriving you in any way. In fact,you are probably benefiting from it . Still , it is a question of belief. for what you believe IS what you get.
HOW EXCITING .. that’s my final word on this .. for now .
THANK YOU !
Namasté!
Love light and laughter to you all everyone .
Mara
Greetings,
I have recently subscribed for Warrior of Light newsletters.
It’s great to read some words that provide us some hope, in the world where everything is moving so fast and everyone is so busy, that you start feeling yourself small in comparison to all these things.
It’s good to know, that if you are feeling confused, unsure of yourself and unable to decide which road to take, then you should look forward to the signs of God, hear to your heart’s voice and then the decision you will be taking will lead to you towards the correct road.
Paulo: I have read your books “The Alchemist”, “The Fifth Mountain”, “Like a flowing River” and at present I am reading “The Pilgrimage”. Your thoughts are really soothing.
Your words give instant pleasure, as I said earlier, they make you feel better. Great job indeed!. Thanks.
As a boy I always wanted to do something more than a job. I am still looking for the work that is to be done by me. I have an intuition that my life is short (at present I am 30 yrs). So I am not sure whether I will be able to discover my destiny before than that or ……
Anyway, I am trying.
Thanks for being there for us.
-Nitin
Re: Friend to friend. As an old man trying to get his first book published, your letter bothered me. Then, I thought, I too would be honored to have young people copy and read my manuscript. As a grandfather, I understand it. My grandchilden’s culture is beyond my understanding. If I could help them in some small way I would. They have so much to repair that we have broken. But, of course, if I were a young writer who needed to put food on the table for a future generation, that would be a problem. I think of all the wonderful stories you have written, Paulo, and how much good it would do for the world to read your words. My grandson, age 14 wrote a story with a moral lesson, and a surprise ending. It reminded me of Devil and Miss Prime. I gave him a copy of it, and he loved the story. I did the same for a niece. Maybe the writers of the future will be old men and women who can afford to teach the world without being paid. But, what do we do about the young novelist and poets? A beautiful delema.
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