Should you know everything about me?
My biography, entitled The Wizard, has just been released in Brazil and given that I opened all my files to my biographer, some people have been horrified with my past.
So here is my question to you: Should you know all about me?
I don’t know, Mr. Coelho. That’s a terrific question. I am convinced that saying some things without first “really” living them turns them to shit. By “really” living I mean having examined them, and learned from them, and preserved their lesson in the head. So revealing some memory that was meant only for you may turn that memory’s gold to dust that nobody knows what to do with anymore. That’s my humble and very inexperienced opinion, but still my core one.
Dear Paulo, thank you for this new question. I would have answered it via seesmic, but there is no button. As a writer of such acclaim, and someone who, whether this was intentional or not, makes a difference to the lives of millions of readers around the world, perhaps some will expect you to tell your entire life story. Frankly I think we have learned so much about you anyway through your books because many of them are based on your real life experiences. I for one, do not need to know everything about you. We all have a right to privacy, and as you have said yourself, there will always be a certain amount of mystery during our lives and I think this is very healthy. If there was no mystery, there would be nothing unexpected to look forward to. Who knows, perhaps I’ll never read your biography for exactly that reason, for I always look forward to your next book, which is usually full of surprises. Keep us guessing dear Paulo, we have no right to see inside your soul….Sincerely, and with Love, Paul
Of course not.
let mysteries remain mysteries..
and secrets where they belong.
When it lightens your pain
to share something hurtfull from the past,
then I think it’s worth sharing it
with someone you trust.
It is very daring for someone such as yourself to lay your past experience open to scrutiny. Unfortunately some will use is as ammunition against you, and others will open their eyes and learn something. It’s a win lose situation. I shall endeavor to read your biography without my personal judgment glasses on.
I believe this a personal decision, if you decided you want to keep no secrets and reveal all about your life is because you feel this is the right thing to do, for you. We should not be so concern about people’s reaction. You have given us a glimpse into your psyche through your writings and some people get it and other won’t. Now you have decided you should tell the whole story, I don’t know your motive in doing this, but I suspect you want to create a more personable experience between the writer and the reader. Through your writings we have learned a great deal about ourselves the reader, and now we can learn more about the writer, and have a better understanding of your point of view as a writer.
Each person can decide what they want the world to know about them. But it is useful to remember that if you have no secrets, then you have nothing to hide.
Personally I would like to know as much as anyone would like to reveal about themselves. I am difficult to shock, even though I’ve lived a very sheltered life myself. But many people will be shocked by anything from rum raisin ice cream to botox injections. Such people could use a good shock in my humble opinion. :)
I believe that some very, very personal and intimate experiences, details or revealtions should stay only within, or be shared with one or maximum two most, most nearest and trusted souls.
To open everything and to be ‘naked’ in front of the whole world, from my opinion, is one of the most courageous and incredible act, that hardly many people would find inner strength for.
Because not only we are all different and have the divine right to be so, but we all have our own visions and, unfortunately or luckily, prejudices and worldoutlook restricted with certain judgements.
However, life is LIFE as it IS - in all its horrors and miracles and there is no reason to pretend it’s different.
All that enters our life, either following our heart’s aspirations, passions and movements, or collapsed on us by destiny to challenge us, is not only never accidental and has some secret code, but is hardly something to be ashamed of.
We are as we are, and because we are given to be so by God.
By baring and uncovering Your most secret and hidden, Wizard, by passing through the metamorphoses of turning Your soul inside out, standing ‘naked’ in front of the rest, You manifest and expose the greatest and deepest essence of
LIVING LIFE ALIVE, of the true nature of human’s path on this earth in all its colours.
And through this, the eyes which have been closed or blind, may see…
“The sufferings” of puting Your soul ‘naked’ on the cross for everyone to see it, is also, from my opinion, kind of katarsis to the world and mirror of the TRUE and REAL journey of the soul and body.
And somehow, i hope i won’t comit sacrilege saying that all this reminds me of one other man, who was not afraid to be himself, to sacrifice ‘normality’ for the sake of revealing the true light, who found enormous strength and faith to be different, to be himself even if contrary to everything else…man who was crucified, but opened a totally new universe for all who lived after and lives today; universe in all its eternity, nature and real sacrality. Sacrality which is hidden in US as we ARE.
I admire Your courage, Your inner strength, Your craziness, Your life power and life love, Paulo.
And though i didn’t read “The Wizard” biography, i may only guess and imagine its strength, intensity, spirit and depth, i, not only congratulate You and Fernando with release, but thank You for such an amazing and true
COURAGE.
with support,
Dasha
Your books, have been an ispiration for my life…
In my oppinion, you are one, of the best writers of our century…
Of course, I would like to read your biography,because you are a Greate Master for me, and a legend too..
Butterfly
Hola dear Paulo,
it seems to me that you are very dear and sensitive person. But this my opinion is based only on your books, blogs and your interviews I’ve seen. You are very popular around the world, and with your books you’ve touched a milions of hearts, but on milions different ways. People have created an image of you in their minds based on the feelings you’ve awaken up in them. We don’t know the real you. So I think that people should not be “horrified” with something that you’ve done. How can they be horrified when they don’t even know you?
You are human just like otehers, not a perffect image that someone created in his head. You have the courage to live and taste the life, not to read about it in the books or watch it on the movies.It’s easy not to do a thing and always critic the others.I personally appreciate someone beeing honest. It’s a big cuality. It’s about accepting people for who they realy are and not for what they act to be. If you have a need to share with us, your readers, your experiens and tell us about it, it’s ok, if you don’t tambien is ok.
It’s more about how you feel and not what we think. “Follow yor heart, he knows the truth”:)
You are very dear to me and I love your books, keep beeing who you are.
Gracias por ser y estar
Gran abrazo
Love
Tanja
I will just say thanks for being on earth :)
Sir, I admire someone who can reveal their innermost secrets and still not be concerned about people’s reactions. I admire simply because I (a wife and a mother), like many others, cannot, but want to.
I just loved your book “Veronika decides to die”. I was not much of a reader, until I read your “Alchemist” and now am a die hard fan of you and your books. I live in the US and hope to meet you someday.
Not at all. We know almost nothing about ourself. Why should we know more about you?
The past and now is what makes us, us.Should we preserve it?We don’t need to, it runs in our blood.It affects our sub-conscious emotional world whether we want it or not.
Speaking though precisely of you, well, u are rich and your life in 20years time is likely to have come to an end(hopefully not),
so, since u have nothing to loose why not potentialy help other people through your biography?
Mr. Coelho,
First of all, I personally believe that it is impossible to know everything about someone. All of us have at least one secret we don’t want anyone to know. Do we really want to know or are prepared to know another’s complete history-secrets and all? I don’t think so. As much as we all say we want honesty and we want to know all, the truth is, we cannot handle 100% honesty. Deep down, we do not want our image of you or another to be tarnished or to stray from the pedestal we place upon you or him/her.
Dear Paulo,
Of course I shouldn´t know anything about you other than you for some reason choose to share yourself!
For me, since you have chosen to step forward and be a known public figure, the point is not your personal life or your personal story, but how you´ve chosen to use your story and what you´ve chosen to share with your readers, including me. Your calling is to be a writer so the point for me is what you decide to share thru you writing.
We live in a culture that´s obsessed still more with knowledge and gossip about the “famous” and the “known”. It´s far out..
The point is so much more what it is that people have to share with each-other!! Since we all carry a dream to fulfill and something that we love dong…
dear Paulo,
My answer to this is no.
There is always something we need to keep for ourselves - something between Our Maker and our selves.
It may be beautiful or it may be awful, but I think the deeper we go into our own souls, there is always something we experience or find that is only for ourselves.
I know I will go to my grave with one or two secrets. Not because I am important, but because God has told me to do this.
I am sure that your biography does not have EVERYTHING in it.
Con amor, aprecio, y carino Paulo.
Adelante hermano.
Karen.
‘Should’ doesn’t come into it; but if you want or are happy to share stuff that will be greatly appreciated by some. The ‘other some’ who will be ‘horrified with (your) past’ can surely only reach that opinion by passing judgement & I fail to see the credibility of a judgement that is not at least based on like experience. Only your own exact past can have led you along this path that has ultimately benefitted millions. Thanks for your past, whether it is revealed or secret, sedate or horrific!
The risk of being misunderstood is great indeed - but surely the risk of being understood is the greater?!
What you are today is everything you have lived. I know that to be able to write the way you write, you had so many experiences with your sensibility and your unique personality.. I know that to be able to write or confess to others what has marked your life and . of course, your Aura, you must have overcome the pain and you have become an observer to your own life…I am looking forward to reading your biography and have a glimpse into your beauriful soul. It is not what is happening to us that matters but how we react. don’t you agree ?? After all we were born ..Warriors of the Light. Love Thelma
I am a writer but not published and have written in solitude 11 novels since 1999 and counting. Every novel draws on what I have written in my journals, which were featured on the Official Moleskine Site post, moleskinerie: The Notebooks of Michael Pokocky @ http://www.moleskinerie.com/2008/04/the-notebooks-o.html
What I learned was this, ” How can one know better or beauty or appreciation or love unless one has experienced profound sadness.”
To share your notebooks with the world is creative, original and requires great creative courage.
No sweat Paulho.
Love you Bro,
Michael
Should your readers know? Debatable. Do you readers want to know? Because of your success, they will want to know. Personally, your past is yours to open or conceal. From the article that you posted, your past seems to echo tales of redemption found through out the Old and New Testament. Many thanks for all of your books.
Ola Paulo Coelho! Depois de ter lido “Confissoes de Paulo Coelho”, fiquei ainda mais fascinada por ler as suas obras, pois com este livro percebi que para alem de ter sido (ou de ser) uma pessoa muito aventureira, e definititamente tambem uma pessoa que se arrisca imenso… Um conselho que a minha mae sempre me deu foi que, o melhor devemos guardar sempre para nos!! De uma maneira ou de outra tenho a certeza que mais uma vez,nos os seus fas, vamos ficar deliciados e devorar todas as paginas que escrever!!Com muito carinho, Andreia (Portugal)
we dont need to know everiting about you nowbody knows everiting about me my past is my proud and my shame .my past doesnt define human that I am it only remande my on ways that things could go but still I can change them ,but people like to remember other pepole stories so that thay could analize thay present ,even when we forget they will remande us wether we wont that or not.
Dear Paulo,
I’m sure only inexperienced people find your biography horrifying; I haven’t read it yet though. I think ‘horrifying’ is a very subjective word though; what I find acceptable others might find completely the opposite and so on. As long as one learns something from his life experiences; as long as they help him move forward and mature more and help others mature and tolerate set backs as you do through your writings; I think that what matters the most.
Our past does not exist any more. 2007 does not exist any more; it’s 2008 and we’re all different people this year and so on.
I’m sure no one can disclose every single counting moment is his life; it’s human nature.. certain things are deeply imbeded in our minds and they’re meant to be locked there forever.. and I’m sure you have plenty of them that you didn’t disclose in your autobiography and that’s your right anyways..
And yes I want to know everything you’re willing to disclose about yourself because you’re unique the way you are.
Looking forward to reading ‘ The Wizard ‘ in English. I hope it’s released here in Canada.
IYM
Knowing your past gives me and gave me courage and strength to go on..i m not horrified by your past, i would say i respect you more and more..you are a great example to what a man can achieve in this world..from what you ve been through to what you ve become..you are a hunter…and this life is so difficult and so demanding …and i am a hunter too..and sometimes it is hard…and the road is tough..that is why i admire you so much…
God bless you, dear Mr. Coelho..
Thank you for this opportunities to communicate with you. Your past is what made you who you are today, it would be an honour to read about the events and your involvemnt in them that molded your life that brought you to who you are today, an inspiring enlightened being. Thank you!
People shouldn’t see how sausage is made.
On the other hand, your book, The Zahir, has that theme of telling our stories to free us of the past.
I participate in a fellowship where we rely on the therapeutic value of sharing our experiences to provide a basis for empathy, understanding and redemption.
I would suggest that even knowing every jot and tittle of anyone’s history does not reveal the substance of this moment in any of our heart’s. It does give people the basis for conjecture about the who of us and that can be as readily a strait jacket as what we want to imagine of you as the author behind the words we read. Such expectations!
Nice to have known what you went through to get to where you are now if only to give each of us hope that the past does not bind us. But to expect to know you now, well, that is another question, no?
I should know all that you want to share, but thanks for given us the opportunity of a great intimacy.
When we travel with the other to the avenues and labyrinths of their past a sense of understanding and
Communion can be born.
With love
No! I don’t want to know everything! Besides - what is true and what is the truth twisted? Life changes us daily. What caused me pain and trouble in the past, is no longer what worries me now. Life goes on, my joy and my grief change with the tide of my life. I don’t want to know your deepest secrets to have a better understanding of your books. I want to find my own meaning, linked to my life and my challenges. But I do need your wisdom, and to believe that there is hope and that miracles can happen! I expect a magus to be secretive and mysterious!
Dear Paulo,
Before reading any of your books, I read “Las confesiones del peregrine” by Juan Arias. Anybody can be caught up in nets of darkness for they are spread so tight that at times I believe it is almost impossible to avoid them. To break the bonds of darkness and I mean really break them you need faith, hope and charity. May they guide you for the journey it not easy – but you know that already. The autobiography is published – what is done is done. So why ask this question?
With compassion
Satora
You are beautiful.
Love
All Ways
Hildegarde
Quem sabe que defeitos e qualidades såo apenas caracteristicas e se apresentam com experiencias para uma sociedade presa e hipocrita, o resultado é inveja, por ter uma vida vivida e contada.depois de varios livros de doaçao, esse foi para confrontar, esquece dos leitores chocados porque esses só cumprem papel e agora tem que fazer esse.
Tú pa lante.
Con tu entusiasmo, alegria y valentia. Has vivido en cada momento lo que sentias que querias vivir con autenticidad y sin hipocresia. Eres auténtico y has escrito las palabras mágicas y esperanzadoras de muchas personas: “el Universo conspira”. Si para ser quien eres hoy, has necesitado vivir con intensidad, entonces ha merecido la pena. Me encantará leer tu biografia porque comprenderé mejor a Paulo Coelho, el que consiguió ser el alquimista de su propia vida.
Un beso,
Clara
I honestly don’t think so..
bcoz simply, every person is entitled to some privacy…
I will not even think of asking u to expose everything about urself..or ask anyone for that matter..
Thank you dear for ur question :)
If it doesn’t affect us as individuals then one’s past is between that person and God. Unless, one wants to share.
Sólo Dios sabe todo de ti. Ni si quiera tú sabes todo de ti, creo. Yo apenas sé de mi, como para saber de ti. Por mucho que se diga y se hable, creo que la gente no sabe casi nada de nadie.
Puedo hacerme una idea de ti, pero sólo son ideas porque no estoy dentro de tu alma, lástima, para saber que cosas sientes en todos los instantes de tu vida. No sé nada. Nada de ti. Tú puedes escribir un libro y yo me acerco a tu alma, pero como no estoy en ti, no puedo llegar a alcanzarla.
Es muy complicado de explicar Paulo, bla, bla, bla. Una locura de explicar. ¿Qué te digo? Que todo está bien. Amén. Amor. Vida. Bla. Bla. Que la gente hable. Bla. Bla. Nadie está en ti para poder hablar.
!No! Creo que no sabemos nada de ti. Sólo son ideas, pero lo sagrado, tus emociones, tus sentimientos, son tuyos. Como no hemos estado en tu corazón a lo largo de tu vida no sabemos que se siente. Creo que no sabemos de ti.
Nadie tiene que juzgar a nadie.
Sólo Dios sabe de ti.
Que Dios te bendiga.
Perdón por tata palabra pero no sé explicarme mejor.
Con Amor.
Eres un Gerrero de Dios.
Paulo………….. AMOR para Tí. No pienses que piensa la
gente. Disfruta. El pasado pasado está, lo importante es el presente. Lo mejor para Tí. Sigue viviendo. Eres genial. Me encantas.
Its a very brave thing to do. To let people in on the secrets of the past. It can be liberating, but also terrifying. I think its a good thing Paulo. Your free now. Free from worring about whats others think.
Dasha; You said it all <3
Paulo; KISSESKISSESKISSES <3
No sé nada de ti, pero los destellos que en ciertos instantes percibo de ti iluminan mi vida. Por eso te quiero Paulo.
Haz lo que quieras, yo sin comprenderte, te comprendo.
Estoy loca, jeje. En fin. No me dan las palabras, ese es el problema.
Un beso.
My answer is no. I do enjoy your books and admire your outlook on life, but in fact I don’t know you..we have never met. I would only like to know what you would be willing to tell me or a reporter.
Dear Paulo:
I admire you so much as a writer! and I don´t care about your past, in fact, I think that all your past experiences made you the man your are right now, so maybe it was necessary to find yourself. If I would read your biography I could never be horrified about it, because you became some of that experiences in wonderful stories for us and I really thank you for it.
Hi There!
Well, outside of it being a completely personal decision to reveal ones past, I believe artist generate a semi-cultish following that positively backfires. As human being we all desire to be understood and inspired. Admittedly or not. Your books touch a dream-like, awakened desire for humans to live out our lives fully. Knowing from whence you came assists the average, personally-labeled Joe-Shmo to believe in themselves.
So my answer-if it helps someone– than knowing a persons past isn’t a bad idea!
Dearest Paulo,
Its never possible to “know” all about anything.
Yes, by getting into your files, you have allowed many people into the many lives that have made you who you are and will continue to be….but then, you have allowed people “in” by hundred other ways as well.
Once invited in to see for themselves, people might feel threated by what they learn about you, because it challenges certain beliefs & perspectives about we think you might be, and how life in general ought to be.
Your writing has opened so many treasured worlds and ways of seeing/feeling….and indeed, these ‘effects’ are fundamentally related to your past. Whenever your readers feel a mad passion for something when they read your work, they are undeniably connecting to everything in your past.
Except now, we have access to certain events, images, and material examples from your life to hold on to in a very different way. So perhaps for the first time, readers are coming face to face with some of the root-events from which, through multiple mystical relays, we have been accessing the world and spirit of your writing.
If one read your work carefully, one would see very clearly that what you call “all” about your life, was there out all this while in full sight for all to see!!
We love you for what you enable us to see….and your ability to do that comes from the composite of all your life experiences….we cannot love one without the other.
How can one extend love and blessings to the effects of your writing, but deny them to the life experiences from which they come?
Best always,
PB. (India & USA).
I’m anxius to read your biography.
I have recently returned to “The Alchemist”, which I read more than 10 years ago, and to answer your question if we should know more about you, I immediately thought of what the the boy said when looking at the candy merchant “This candy merchant isn’t making candy so that later he can travel or marry a shopkeeper’s daughter. He’s doing it because it’s what he wants to do”. So, I feel that the primary objective of writing this biography was not as much for us as it was because you really wanted to do it, and that removes the “should” from the equation. “Maktub”. Weather it will answer what readers want from you or not,that is not the issue.
“Sometimes, there’s just no way to hold back the river” :)
Personally, your past is not going to change how I read your words. After all, who does not have some sort of past. We are just very swift at combing other people’s lives, especially public figures, in hope that our own “wrongs” pale in comparison.
It gives us a very fake sense of reassurance for the choices in our lives.
Wasn’t it you that said that “to die alive is to take risks?”…
Concordo plenamente.
Great Question~~ Really Great Question Paulo!
I asked myself this question everytime I write in my blog, my journals (and I often find that I am hiding details about myself afaid to be exposed) Wishing I had the courage to be free exposed nothing to hide.
The lyrics song by Nina Simone “for i’m just a soul whos intentions are good….Oh Lord please don’t let me be misunderstood” run in my mind when i write.
For you to have given over the “treasure chest” filled with intimate details of your life Paulo is beautiful, brave, and it even shows How Great God is ~~~for God makes no mistakes in any of us. People are entitled to their opinions but all in all many wish “like me” that I could be filled with the courage and not wear the MASK!
Which reminds me of a story by….. Gibran Khalil Gibran
“You ask me how I became a madman. It happened thus: One day, long before many gods were born, I woke from a deep sleep and found all my masks were stolen — the seven masks I have fashioned and worn in seven lives — I ran maskless through the crowded streets shouting, “Thieves, thieves, the cursed thieves.”
Men and women laughed at me and some ran to their houses in fear of me.
And when I reached the market place, a youth standing on a house-top cried, “He is a madman.” I looked up to behold him; the sun kissed my own naked face for the first time. For the first time the sun kissed my own naked face and my soul was inflamed with love for the sun, and I wanted my masks no more. And as if in a trance I cried, “Blessed, blessed are the thieves who stole my masks.”
Thus I became a madman.
And I have found both freedom and safety in my madness; the freedom of loneliness and the safety from being understood, for those who understand us enslave something in us.
But let me not be too proud of my safety. Even a Thief in a jail is safe from another thief”.
Paulo,
“I love you, I love you, I love you and this makes me think about when I was on the plane going to see you in Puenta La Reina for St.Joseph’s party and I was reading Paulo Coelho: Confessions of a Pilgrim by Juan Arias I remember reading the some intimate details and I asked myself will I feel different about you after I finish reading this. Well, the answer is I still Love you and I learned we are all one.
Much love
Marie
no.
поздрав :)
Paulo, The Warrior of the Light doesn’t have a past, and I guess we don’t need to know everything about you, but since secrets do tend to come out sooner or later, maybe is better that it came out already and just deal with it now, it is going to be ok!!!, the person who has more negativity has the potential to reveal more Light to the world when he transform this darness into Light, and that is what you have done!!!
Much Love to you, dear Wizard!!!
Paulo I certainly look forward to reading your biography. Our past is what makes us who we are today and if we feel comfortable in sharing that information, which you obviously did, then we the lucky readers get an insight into who you are and what bought you to becoming the great author you are. That is not to say that we can know what effect these events have had on your soul as only you can know that. I am just very glad that you are who you are and thankful that you have shared your talents with the world.
I look forward to reading The Wizard when it is available here (Australia) and keep doing what you do and being who you are.
Don’t stress the small stuff!!
Much love
Paulo
I am glad that this people are not horrified with your present moment.
Thanks to tell us that we DO NOT NEED TO BE PERFECT OR THAT WE DO NOT NEED TO HAVE AN IMPECABLE PAST …
Paulo knowing about your past increases my respect and LOVE
WELL YOU HAD SOME UNIQUE EXPERIENCES… AND I LOVE YOU ANY WAY
Apreciado Sr. Coelho
Pienso que nuestro pasado es el que nos a formado en quienes somos hoy día negarlo sería negarnos a nosotros mismos. Lo grandioso que tenemos como seres humanos es aprender de nuestros errores, cada día tenemos una nueva oprtunidad para crecer y ser mejores personas. Sin duda los tropiezos que usted haya podido vivir lo han llevado a ser el excelente ser humano que es hoy día. Cuando sea grande quiero ser como usted. Mi gran sueño es lograr escribir en libro en algún momento de mi vida y usted a sido una gran fuente de inspiración y motivación para mi. Dios le bendiga y siga iluminando el camino. Exito Muito obrigada.
Yolanda
Puerto Rico
Dear Paulo,
You shared already a lot of yourself through your books. You shared not only words but also the energies behind the real life experiences. Sharing in this way is a new, fun way of learning. Your biography will be a shining example of how to live life to the core. It will be a standard and guidance for many people who want to discover how to live life.
For me personally, connecting to and feeling these core energies in your life is more important then to know all the details of your past personal life.
I am more interested in your present. The unfolding of your life as it happens right now. The choices you make, the feelings you have, the insights you discover in this exact moment. Therefore the blog and your presence on the internet are more valuable for me as is your biography. Presence is highly appreciated.
Ans
Olá Paulo Coelho!
Desde que comprei a sua biografia, não consigo parar de ler… Saber da vida de um ídolo, nos faz sentir mais próximos à ele. E você, com certeza, está bem mais próximo a mim.
Muito obrigada por permitir que isso tenha ocorrido!
De sua fã
Camila Vitti
(Brasil)
Dear Paolo
I think my answer would be ‘Yes’.
You have become what you are because of what you were.
I’m so interested to know about The Wizard’s history.
Ahmad Eddeeb - Egypt)
(So I know what does Maktub exactly mean, sir!)
Dearest Paulo and friends,
It seems we all agree that none of us has to reveal anything should we not want to.. However Paulo, as much as people may say you don’t have to tell them anything, that doesn’t mean they’re not curious about you, and want to know. I suppose with most famous people, there is this element of curiosity as to who they are due to one’s perception of them advertised by the media. Of course, yours is a amplified connection due to your words influencing so many lives. Your words are beautiful, and i know that many people love you, and feel a connection towards you because of it. Your books are wise, and your status is well known around the world for your goodness and saint-like behaviour. I think that people associate wisdom, spirituality and ’saintness’ as the only part of you, and when they read about the various not-so-saint like experiences you’ve been through, they found themselves shocked as you tarnished their perfect image of you. From what I’ve read before, there are many things you’ve dwelled in that are somewhat taboo in our society and even down right opposed. Truth is, many people are going to judge you for it once they read it, they’re going to even look down on you, and will stop reading your material- opposing it by all means. But you know, you don’t need anyone’s approval for things you’ve been through in life. As much as one may read your story, that doesn’t mean they truely know you. Don’t let what people are telling you, or how people react to your past make you think less of yourself. People are so quick to judge others way before they even look at themselves. Many fellows will leave, while others may love and admire you more for your honesty. I’m pretty sure, you must be tired of people constantly trying to get to know you- expecting you to be someone you’re not. In a way, this book will set you free - just don’t doubt it and never let anyone make you feel bad about who you are. Don’t forget, millions of people will always love you, regardless.
Thank you for being.
Yajna
Of course the final decision is left to you, but you will admit that u have lived a very ‘extraordinary’ life, a life which has shades of not just virtues but vice too.
a lot of ‘great’ people’s biography that i have read, focuses on their positive side, making them larger than life, people free of vices. Your story is that of a person with average beginnings, a little courage to explore beyond the known, face the consequnces, and finally raise above it all.
More than anything else, it will require a tremendous amount of courage to say all, u’r alreday huge fanfollinwg may be in turmoil, but if u choose to share it all, then eventually it would benefit all who care to contemplate it; it would show the path to a whole lot of the younger generation.
If u happen to ’say it all’ I would prefer to read it in your own words. your autobiography; while other writers can accurately describe the evnts in your life, only u can throw light on what made you make the choices it made.
to answewr your question ” should I know all about you” yes i would love to, it may be a good eye opener for me. But I respect your privacy, final decison is yours and what ever u decide I am OK with it.
love
aditya
Dear Paulo,
I would suggest that you should spread your whole story, AS IT IS, whoever admires you should accept your entire past, and people must understand that no one is perfect. I think whatever horrified people in your past is more important than any other, because you are a source of inspiration to so many people around the world, I believe this would help alo of people to understand that whatever was the situation or the past, one can change and overcome all obstacles toward being a great person, and no true example is greater than yours. Thanks
you are who you are NOW in this moment. Yes, the past has a big part to do with who you are NOW. Are you happy with who you are? Are you, Paulo, accepting Paulo? If yes, then the past makes no difference. The past is the past. Gone, so far gone, and you’re so missing the moment … :) And does it make any difference what anybody else things of your past? They admire you NOW, for who you are. You got to this moment somehow. It’s not always easy :).
One has to honor the past, it is sacred, it is the reason why we are here now, wherever we are :) We should always be grateful … and thank everyone, everyone who crossed our paths.
Smiles
sorry, did not read your latest book. So, in a nutshell, what is the message? Eagerly waiting to learn more…
With all my appreciation to you,
I like the books you wrote.
Even if you are/were/will be a murderer or something worst, I like your books, not you.
If I don’t like one of your books, it won’t turn me to dislike you, nor your other books.
my best regards,
Irwan
Actually, the question should be:
Should You … I …
Know all about me … ME?
Shoud I know all about me?
absolutely
Know YOU and
BE YOU
Smiles
what we are is what we did, what we have is what we gave. Learn from the experience of others you will not have the time to do them all. I appreciate sharing your past with us and let us live it and feel so that we learn from your experiences. thx again
Paulo,
I hand the question back to you. Why do you want to write your biography? What do you hope to give your readers? Then read what you have written. Is it true, to your outcome?
Answer these questions and others that spring up in your mind. Then you will see that you, need not ask the question in the first place.
Not everyone is a victim or a perpetrator some of us are just dragons.
We live our lives without regret or revenge instead we do what is right in front of us.
Peace my friend it is all around you.
Lawrence
No.
Each will discover, in time, what we need to see.
Each will see what we will, from a different perspective, depending on life circumstances, etc etc.
Just be.
Humbly,
austere.
Dearest Paulo,
I don’t mean to assume, but i just watched your video of this question and you seemed rather down. I know that opening your personal life out to the world could not have been one of the easiest of things to do in life. I read further about your book, and i see that it was made because of pact. Would you have released it anyway? I hope that the information you contained was worth your while, and i hope that you can still see this in a somewhat positive light. Don’t be sad or worried.. You’re still pretty incredible in my eyes.
If you are a bit anxious, i hope some bob marley can calm you a bit..
Don’t worry.. About a thing.. Cause every little thing..
Is gonna be alright..
*smile*
Thank you for being.
Yajna
My opinion is that nobody will tell the whole 100% truth about himself.Even in a diary,one select things an situations ,not talking about point of view and subjectivity.No,I think is not important we know all about yourself,is enough key situations.Dont missunderstand me,I am interested in you a lot,still you need a life only for yourself.I think you are sincere,is not that the problem.But why such a morbid curiosity?What should be the use?No privacy?Take care,keep writing.You are amazing.
To me it sounds a bit hypocrite to be horrified about someones past life. I mean, to appreciate you know on your glory and not appreciate the making of you. And who excatly has such a perfect past that could not be criticised? And isn’t it easy to change that by changing perspective and surroundings? For example country, continent, culture, religion…
Also the yellow press is very popular nowdays. We love all the details we can get from celebrities. So it’s a waste to say that we don’t want to know. And I’m pretty sure you, Paolo, still have your secrets now that the biography has been published.
love, S
About your book,I am looking forward to read it,it was your choice to share you experiences with us,we are not intruders peeping trough the key hole.I am sure is veru interesting,like you have always been.
Bonjour Paulo, je ne sais si j’ai bien compris la question!!
Peut- être tous savoir de votre passé n’est pas si important; à part pour vous (ceux qui désirent tous savoir sont peut être des fous de vous, de votre personnalité); le présent compte, et savoir qu’ a cette heure vous faites encore parti de ce monde; me mets en joie car je peux espérer réaliser un rêve celui de vous remercier de vive voix.
Le présent compte…
The life of a person who influences thousands of people is of great responsibility. Many a times I felt that he should have gone through many experiences personally so as not to judge others going through it and also be able to relate personally to others and help them come out of it.
Also such a person who becomes an inspiration and role model to the world shows through these human experiences that he is not an angel who descended from heaven to be worshipped on an altar but a person like us who through his determination and continuous efforts, achieved his dreams.
Keeping these aspects in mind, Mr Coelho, I feel that getting the details of the past is definitely in the right direction and it actually helps even the person who has given up hope and ambitions in life to rise above his limitations and defeat and still pursue his dreams.
Only a strong and mature person who has made peace with his past can do what you have done and I truly appreciate the frankness and openness with which you share your early years where most people will try to cover it up or be in denial of the things they committed.
The past is a part of your life.
You would not be that human being without your past.
It made you to this person, who you are today.
But some memories are there to care, not to share.
Love & Light Sofi
Well, having met you in person, and having read most of your books (apart from Veronika decides to die) I can say that the more I learn about you, the less I know….
However, exactly how much should you reveal of your life? That’s up to you, but I suspect you will still be full of surprises no matter how much you reveal!
Respected Mr Paulo coelho,
Thanks for responding to my first mail to you.
Sheer pleasure to write to you for the second time.
Answering your question,i think experiences we have , travels we take, are meant to be shared.For the very fact,sharing is loving.
When we share our experiences,our past ;not only it helps us to know ourselves better but also the thought, belief transcends to new level of understanding ,interpretation, after which it leads to action/change.
Although, everyone has something in life which may be interpreted otherwise by outsiders,it should be shared with courage,only if it is going to do someone/something good.
Share Good ; withhold ‘not so good’.”
Thanks indeed for being an true alchemist and guiding millions of people to the path of wisdom and sanity.
As far as “wizard’ is considered, we all would love to know more about you, your past(because that has led you to where you are, today) and learn more without judging it .
Hey!Alchemist,Warrior of light,wizard,
May the infinite intelligence be with you. Always.
Love,
Aditya Salunke
http://aditya.gaia.com/blog
Dear Paulo
One of the things that has always inspired me about your work is your readiness to lay your self open. It is inspiring because it is courageous and something that I believe most of us would be too scared to do.
It can also hold a mirror up to each of us to our own dark places. We find it soo hard to accept that those we admire are not perfect, just as we find it hard to deal with our own imperfections. This makes your courage so valuable to us. You remind us, although many of us do not want to be reminded, that what we don’t accept about others we do not accept within ourselves.
To become transparent to ourselves and the world is an act of great personal power. It doesn’t matter who else sees it or reads it. Those who wish to preserve the mystery and the secrets can simply not read the book. A life governed by fear of criticism or ridicule is no life.
Love and blessings
Rebecca
Paulo,
your choice entirely, sorry I was being familiar there thinking I knew you. your past is what made you and therefore what made you the author I admire, however, what I admire is the ‘destination’ not necessarily the journey. Do I really need to know all the details of the journey? Not really - but it’s human nature, if you are willing to tell us then I am more than willing to objectively read/hear. There is a voyeur in all of us that wants to know the details of others so that we can measure ourselves against them and feel good if we didn’t make the same mistakes or bad if we didn’t have the same opportunities - but we don’t really want to dwell on that feeling :-) Personally I think it’s a particularly special individual that can open up completely and not hold just a little of the personally embarassing back. If you are in the former category I salute you and my admiration of you just increased.
Bonjour Paulo, je ne sais si j’ai bien compris la question!!
Peut- être tous savoir de votre passé n’est pas si important; à part pour vous (ceux qui désirent tous savoir sont peut être des fous de vous, de votre personnalité); le présent compte, et savoir qu’ a cette heure vous faites encore parti de ce monde; me mets en joie car je peux espérer réaliser un rêve celui de vous remercier de vive voix.
Seul le présent compte
dear paulo,
your past is what makes your present, isn’t it? without the experiences we’ve made we wouldn’t be what we are today. in your case that means for me: i’m looking forward to reading your biography - no matter what you’ve done (don’t know it yet ;)), it has built up your personality and thus your writing… maybe i’ll read things i didn’t expect or didn’t even want to expect, but nevertheless it will be interesting to see what has made you the person you are today. and maybe we’ll get some insight into the factors that influenced you while writing your novels. aaaaand: with reference to all those “semi-VIPs” that are publishing their biographies nowadays, you really HAVE experienced years of life and achieved a lot of important things (making people feel and think) with your work!! if it is OK for you, which is obviously the case, why not share your life with the ones that are interested in it!? as i’ve said, i’m looking forward to it! :)
So Pandora’s Box has opened!
Like my namesake, I anticipate, many will perceive and distort the gifts you have chosen to share as evils (Pandora being a corruption of the Goddess Anesidora), but others will not and will recognise that you are a Luminary who has walked a long path and who now holds a guiding light.
Magical theatrics rely on secrecy and trickery, so now we know what type of Magus you are.
Thank you for your honesty, and for feeling that we are more than just readers or buyers of paper,
I look forward to hopefully meeting you one day.
I’ve read something on your website, but I guess I don’t know everything about you, the latest book about your biography attracts me a lot!
Anyway, I really think you’re a wonderful man and writer, you’ve faced very difficult situations in your life and you’re brave now to let the world know the whole story of your “path” until now, I esteem you deeply and am proud to be your contact somewhere here online, thanks for the connections and your works!!