As you know throughout the month of July we shall be discussing my book “The Alchemist”.
Throughout the week, I will be accessing this page 2-3 times a day in order to answer your questions until July 31st. I want also for you discuss among yourselves – since I’m very curious to see your reactions to the book.
I wrote a foreword for the 10th anniversary edition of the book and I would like to post it here as an introduction to the book:
Ten Years On
I remember receiving a letter from the American publisher, Harper Collins, which said that: “reading The Alchemist was like getting up at dawn and seeing the sun rise while the rest of the world still slept.” I went outside, looked up at the sky and thought to myself: “So, the book is going to be published in English!” At the time, I was struggling to establish myself as a writer and to follow my path despite all the voices telling me it was impossible.
And little by little, my dream was becoming reality. Ten, a hundred, a thousand, a million copies sold in America. One day, a Brazilian journalist phoned to say that President Clinton had been photographed reading the book. Some time later, when I was in Turkey, I opened the magazine Vanity Fair and there was Julia Roberts declaring that she adored the book. Walking alone down a street in Miami, I heard a girl telling her mother: “You must read The Alchemist!”
The book has been translated into 67 languages, has sold more than 65 million copies, and people are beginning to ask: What’s the secret behind such a huge success?
The only honest response is: I don’t know. All I know is that, like Santiago the shepherd boy, we all need to be aware of our personal calling. What is a personal calling? It is God’s blessing, it is the path that God chose for you here on Earth. Whenever we do something that fills us with enthusiasm, we are following our legend. However, we don’t all have the courage to confront our own dream.
Why?
There are four obstacles. First: we are told from childhood onwards that everything we want to do is impossible. We grow up with this idea, and as the years accumulate, so too do the layers of prejudice, fear and guilt. There comes a time when our personal calling is so deeply buried in our soul as to be invisible. But it’s still there.
If we have the courage to disinter dream, we are then faced by the second obstacle: love. We know what we want to do, but are afraid of hurting those around us by abandoning everything in order to pursue their dream. We do not realize that love is just a further impetus, not something that will prevent them going forwards. We do not realize that those who genuinely wish us well want us to be happy and are prepared to accompany us on that journey.
Once we have accepted that love is a stimulus, we come up against the third obstacle: fear of the defeats we will meet on the path. We who fight for our dream, suffer far more when it doesn’t work out, because we cannot fall back on the old excuse: “Oh, well, I didn’t really want it anyway.” We do want it and know that we have staked everything on it and that the path of the personal calling is no easier than any other path, except that our whole heart is in this journey. Then, we warriors of light must be prepared to have patience in difficult times and to know that the Universe is conspiring in our favor, even though we may not understand how.
I ask myself: are defeats necessary?
Well, necessary or not, they happen. When we first begin fighting for our dream, we have no experience and make many mistakes. The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.
So, why is it so important to live our personal calling if we are only going to suffer more than other people?
Because, once we have overcome the defeats – and we always do – we are filled by a greater sense of euphoria and confidence. In the silence of our hearts, we know that we are proving ourselves worthy of the miracle of life. Each day, each hour, is part of the good fight. We start to live with enthusiasm and pleasure. Intense, unexpected suffering passes more quickly than suffering that is apparently bearable; the latter goes on for years and, without our noticing, eats away at our soul, until, one day, we are no longer able to free ourselves from the bitterness and it stays with us for the rest of our lives.
Having disinterred our dream, having used the power of love to nurture it and spent many years living with the scars, we suddenly notice that what we always wanted is there, waiting for us, perhaps the very next day. Then comes the fourth obstacle: the fear of realizing the dream for which we fought all our lives.
Oscar Wilde said: ‘each man kills the thing he loves’. And it’s true. The mere possibility of getting what we want fills the soul of the ordinary person with guilt. We look around at all those who have failed to get what they want and feel that we do not deserve to get what we want either. We forget about all the obstacles we overcame, all the suffering we endured, all the things we had to give up in order to get this far. I have known a lot of people who, when their personal calling was within their grasp, went on to commit a series of stupid mistakes and never reached their goal – when it was only a step away.
This is the most dangerous of the obstacles because it has a kind of saintly aura about it: renouncing joy and conquest. But if you believe yourself worthy of the thing you fought so hard to get, then you become an instrument of God, you help the Soul of the World and you understand why you are here.
So, let’s embark in the discussion of my book for the up-coming month.
Love
Paulo
One of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read, and inspired me to open my eyes to my own life.
Thankyou
I read the Alchemist back in October when I was going through one of the hardest times in my life and I was not quite certain what lay ahead for me. I read it NEVER expecting to be changed by this book the way that I was! It opened my eyes to so many possibilities and to the realization that there really IS a reason why we must go through the hard times in our lives! I will forever be changed by this book and I also recommend it to anyone who will listen.. So I carry this book with me all the time and reread certain parts. However, I am at a VERY different time in my life now than I was back in October when I first read it..it still amazes me how I take something meaningful from this book everytime I read it! I am currently re-reading it and taking from it something completely different than I did back in October.. I still don’t know exactly what my “personal legend” is, but I do know that EVERY single experience that I am having is bringing me just a little bit closer to finding it.. HOPE.. Thank you Mr. Coelho! You have changed my life in a way I could NEVER really repay you for.. God Bless you Always!!
I have read the book many times. I do not really think I understand all of it. Personally I am not a dualist (as of now) one could maybe call me a materialist but I do not deny the possibility of miracles. I think you are talking about spiritual and material as two different things in your book Mr.Coelho, and when one transforms this material world with spiritual powers (love) then it evolves into something better. Am I right about this? If so what is the goal of the Universe?
You are also talking about telepathy Mr.Coelho. I myself do not deny it but I am not convinced yet either. How can one learn this skill?
You are talking about signs, how can one learn to read the signs? What are signs?
Gods blessings be onto you
“then it evolves into something better”
Do you think it is really possible or do you think there is a chance, a possibility to transform this world into something better?
I´d like to think so, but on the other hand, things seem to be out of control and, sometimes, I feel we are …
With all the terrible monsters that we have within and maybe already and inevitably unleash … Do you really think there could be an opportunity to Evolve in a soft and peacefull way?
If so, what can I do?
How can I Help?
Love.
dear Mr. Coelho, I have some questions for you about your novel The Alchemist. You know, this novel really touch me, about my ideology and mind-set. I believe in dream,really. I know, I’m on my way to find my Personal Legend. But, I’m still confuse about your setting and the short story about the Narcissus that you put in The Alchemist. Bay the way, why do you set the setting in the desert? and, what is your intention in creating such story, journey?
Mr. Coelho, you are my inspiration
Hello Sir …!!
Thank You So Much For Making This Book …!!
I Don’t Have Read Any Book …!!
This Is My First Book of My Life..!!!
I Have Read The Alchemist Only ..!!
And The Starting Is So Awesome …!!!
Thank You Sir Thank You So Much For Written This Book …!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”M A K T U B”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear Paulo,
Your books have changed the meaning of my life for the best. Your books gave me immense strength to face the difficult times which at one point seemed to be never ending.
I can feel immense strength and courage and am a much stronger and determined person.
Thanks for such beautiful writing.
im nt used 2 reading habit bt today for the first tym i read smthng apart frm my study buks..i thank my dear friend who gave the buk nd insistd dat i must read..
its worth readin..i m nw going through my down in life..nd personaly found th buk as motivating..thankss paulo..
Dear Poulo.
When I read THE ALCHEMIST, it was a little confused me.
But, soon something was accepted, I thought my dream and future. That’s not perfect yet….I believe myself to find them. THE ALCHEMIST is my good friend, treasure chest….
Everytime I feel bad, THE ALCHEMIST is thought me, real me.
I remember all the things that such a moment, the moment that I read it.
Thank you so much, Poulo.
The Alchemist is perhaps the best fiction, I have ever read.It was classy, although the language was quite simple (perhaps thats why I liked it most). It created the feeling that we are living in the same age. It was really a great experience. Thanks for writing such a great novel.
paulo coelho, you really changed my life as a student and also a lover.
Like Egemen, I have only begun to read your books. I began with The Alchemist, which I love, love, love and have recommended to everyone who will listen. Now, I’m reading The Witch of Portabello — I have empathy for Athena, which is all I’ll say right now. I’m inspired to read all of your books in the order in which they were written.
Dear Paulo,
it only took two of your books, The Alchemist and the Witch of Portobello, for my heart to accept you as my favourite author.
As somebody who sees the path of their dreams but is unable to fully dedicate myself to them, your books and characters have made me feel less lonely.
I wish to meet characters like Santiago and Athena in my lifetime, and hope that this is possible. Not only them, but I wish to meet characters like the ones they have met on their journeys as well.
Right now Im in school, but my dream and the path I need to take are completely different from school. My heart is telling me to to drop everything and just work on my dream, but my mind tells me to finish school first. School takes a lot of energy and even when I have some free time, I can barely dedicate it to my dream. And I ask why is it so hard to work towards both at the same time?
I love your work, and Im very happy to see others have come together on this blog to share their own ideas and dreams. You have brought all of these people together! and many more Im sure.
I hope all is well in your life,
Egemen
Love it love it love it , amazing story really
Thank you Paulo Coelho!!
when I am thinking about something that really matters to me, i go and read you books. As i read them i see the answers for the thing that i was thinking about. Your books makes me undersatnds new ideas and things.
Thank You so much.
Yomna Elsahn
Dear Paulo Cohelo!
I started reading The Zahir and i felt my mind opening up in a spiritual way. It was as if i was on a spiritual ride and i couldnt stop. It was amazing because i am not very smart and though i was curious about The Zahir, i was a bit hesitant to try reading it. Reading is really hard for me. Amazingly i felt i understood your book spiritually.
Also i read The Alchemist. This book was amazing. Again a spiritual relm in my mind was opened when i read it and i understood what i was reading.
I love you Paulo Coelho. Thank you!
i plan to read Veronica decides to die next. My grandmother read that book when she was old and i want to see what it is about.
love,
Marianna
dear paulo,
i do love this book :)
I am amazed by how much you can help me understand the spirituality in my life
Dear Paulo,
I like very much all your books.;)
Hi paul coelho,
My first awareness of your books was staring at the rather bizarre looking covers, and thinking to myself, this was not for me. Many months later my friend azad advised me that his life had found it’s calling reading the book. Infact he was santiago. All the things that had happened in the book had happened to him. Betrayal… Creative spirit… If they had not happened to him then he believed in the future it would. Azad became the archaetype of the alchemist. He suffered for his work. Even though his intellect told him not to choose a path he chose it. That was the belief he had in your work. I guess because his his suffering to meet a high spiritual standard, I found my belief in something more than myself. This led to my first spiritual epithany, which occured when I read “the devil and miss pyrme”
when I read the alchemist, my first question was why of much abstraction. I was like reading a dream. To each person they fill in the gaps. Tell me when you wrote it did you feel that something was missing ?
Alchemist is the greatest book I ever read and I want to thanks for Paolo Coelio for this.
It is my table book and every time I read it I feel like the first impression when I have already read it.
It is the book which change my life.
Thanks a lot…
Dear Paolo
I read Paolo Coelho the worrier’s light; I was astonished by the complicated life that you led! Looking at your eyes in the photo that is printed on all your books didn’t give me that impression!
I believe that is pain is the only way to happiness! And your life has approved that to me.
my passion in life is singing,howver, I’m now electrical engineer ,I daily practice on singing, I’m getting better and better…
As you said that we grew up hearing that everything is imposible, but I hear this up to now from my family…but I don’t care about anyone’s opinion, because I have made up my mind..I am on my way, my correct path…even if my pace is little bit slow…But I will continue…….
Frankly speaking, I have seriously made this decision we I had finished the Alchemist….
So I deeply would like to thank you to awake my sleep inner deep call…even now on I’m still on the way…But I can sense the amount of joy that I would have one day
LOVE
Norm Mando
hi i would like to read the book Alchemst online… can some1 help me out…can’t find it
A good friend of mine who is currently en route to Afghanistan told me that “The Alchemist” was his favorite book. As I promised, I picked it up the other day and just read the introduction – noticing tears welling up in my eyes. Your writing is powerful, and it is apparent through the way this Army Squad leader speaks about life that he has taken some of your writing to heart. Thank you for delivering such beautiful words to paper. All my best.
The Alchemist is the first English novel that I have ever read and the credit goes to my friend, Mommin, who introduced me to Paulo. I enjoyed every bit of it and immediately fell in love with the style of writing and the magic that Paulo does with words. Since then, I am more actively following my dreams.
Wasi Mohsin
Pakistan
How do we learn? From books. After all, a good book can take you places no plane, train, or automobile ever can.
Hi Paulo,
I read Alchemist it was a very nice & pleasing experience Thanks a lot for the your brilliant piece of work Eleven minutes & Alchemist BOTH THE STORIES WERE AMAZING ,
THANKS A LOT AGAIN .
NJOY……… TC
PANKAJ BHALERAO
(INDIA)
how do i know you are really mr. coelho? how do i even know you speak english? well, i don’t. i just finished watching a movie called: Veronika decides to die. one of my classmates told me about you last year, he told me about your books and he lend me the one that has by title “11 minutes” I read it in spanish “once minutos”, i liked it. a few hours ago i was searching on a website some movie that one of my high school teachers, left for us tu see, and “veronika decides to die” appeared, that was when i remembered about my classmate telling me that title, and i thought -this is paulo coehlo’s-, so I forgot about my homework and I began to see your movie. you know, if that movie is not the most wonderful movie i have ever seen, it’s one of the most. i was thinking: probably the book is better, i do not know if the movie is the exact copy of the book, probably the producers rearranged some things, anyways with one book read and one movie seen of yours i can say i’m a great admirer of yours, one more on the list right? hopefully it is you, Paulo Coelho who’s reading this, hopefully you have the time to check out what i’m wrinting, if not; oh well i’m just pleased to have expressed what i’m feeling. this is the first time i do anything like this, and yes i’m just one more of your fans nothing different, i guess.
well here’s some more about me:
my age: 16 years old
nacionality: mexican
birthdate: march 13th, 1993
i can write, speak ad read english because almost all my elementary school was done in the state of California, i got to admit I was scared, it was a new country new people, new education, new everything, but now i’m glad, i’m very glad and thank my dad for giving me that great opportunity of learning the language where i learned it very well. I’m now in Cuernavaca, state of Morelos, country of Mexico.
I love to hear songs played on piano and i would love to learn how to play very beautifully, i also want to learn how to speak french, but i want to speak it perfectly!
i think i will choose psychology for my carrer, i’m still not sure though. guess what? i’m not even sure if im writing to you in the right place.
greetings =)
Mr. Coelho,
With all the readers comments and discussions, you haven’t replied to any one except on Elizabeth Valdivia’s comment. Sorry for being curious,what did she say so that you replied to her !?
and this is IN THE NAME OF THE SUPREME …sir…ive forgot to mention this but your books made me appreciate THE SUPREME.. and with that, again.thank you.
Its feels surreal…whenever i read a book of yours, it feel like its a mirror reflecting my life…i don’t understand fully what i am saying right now… but one thing is for sure…your books makes me feel love like i never felt it before…your books made me fall in love with myself, with my parents, brothers, friends…. even to those who hurt me…to strangers…and to those I’m yet to meet..I live in a place where books like those of yours are not read much…I’m just thankful that I had a chance to read them…it makes me feel proud of being this confused being that i am for your book thought me that its normal to be confused..to cry…to grieve…you make me appreciate things that are impossible to appreciate…
you make my heart laugh at things absurd…
You make the lady in me proud.
With all my heart Sir, Im sending you my gratitude and love.
You are beautiful Sara!…I’m sending you my :)
Love
Hildegarde
same here :) even though Sara put it in the perfect words…
hi paolo…
i am a college student. i am already on my last year in college and all my fears regarding my future career are starting to build up and its ruining my life.
i took up accountancy…because of my grandmother’s request. i thought it will be okay…but its really not.
my heart is really not on this course. a think i screwed up.
Im a college student and on my last few months in college as well…Im in the same situation as yours..i fear ..the unknown..the future…but Mr. Coelho’s books here teaches us to channel fears to hope and trust to the Supreme…to the One who Knows….Ive no idea of That as a person but mu Heart knows It…my heart knows..the heart feels…just open it…Im sending you my love my friend. May you find your true heart for loving ..Mr. Coelho here has many things to say about that in his books..may The Almighty bless will you always.
One more thing though… You are never too late to pursue the other directions that you feel pursuing…in the book “the alchemist”, Mr. Coelho says that the universe conspires to help you reach your dreams…if you really want it…
Paulo:
Sus libros son un hermoso ejemplo de literatura, he leido ya tres de ellos y estoy por comprar Warrior of light.
El Alquimista me ha ensenado que nunca hay que darse por vencido en sus suenos, tambien me ha ensenado a escuchar a mi corazon,( a veces no nos gusta oirlo, porque no nos conviene) conveniencia??? bueno eso depende , pero para mi me han dado una gran leccion.
The Pilgrimage ,wow excelente , es un libro para adults para que retomen su camino.
11 minutes, que hace usted para tener tan buen tino en escribir sus libros.? El ejemplo de Maria es buenisimo porque pese a su situacion sabe como organizar su vida y lograr sus ambiciones. Buenos libros. y mis felicitaciones por ser tan buen escritor.
you are great writer…infarct, a writer who born after centuries
i dont have words to explain that what ur books contains n how they have changed me..nt even me but all who hv read ur any book once. you can make a imprison bird to feel free.you make us to hv pleasure in pain….i can nvr forget ur Spanish proverb in the alchemist; the darkest hour of the night is just before the dawn…and ds makes me strong everyday that only a hour is left and it will pass like seconds..i will nt say that ur books are novels or stories..they contains history, culture, religion and are the mirror of world and humans.
i had accidentally purchased your book THE ALCHEMIST last month and it was my first book which i hv ever read and liked. although, i had a novel David Copperfield by charles dickens in my scholl times but hv never finished it off. i had purchased four more books of yours and only one is left to finishd…
i never lyk reading but now i hav fisnished your four books..its spmething miracle for me….i hv never wish to meet any living personality..any actor..any singer..any leader or
any person. After reading ur books you have become the only person to whom i realy want to meet. i hv ever loved the literature of two persons..first one is allama iqbal(national poet of pakistan) and other one is paolo coelho because i think they both ve writen from their hearts, their souls.
finally if i ever got an oppertunity to visit Brasil then i will definatly meet u cz i realy want to fulfill my desire before i die..Brazil is nt only famous for football or samba bt it is also famous for paolo cooelho.
http://home.cogeco.ca/~rayser3/The%20Alchemist%20by%20Paulo%20Coelho.doc
Dear Paulo and WoLs
The above link I came upon by chance and it is a brilliant study of the alchemist for students written by a teacher.
I thought i’d share it here.