When Abbot Antonio was asked if the road of sacrifice led to Heaven, he replied:
‘There are two such roads. The first is that of the man who mortifies his flesh and does penance because he believes that we are all damned.
‘This man feels guilty and unworthy to live a happy life.
‘He will never get anywhere because God does not inhabit guilt.
‘The second road is that of the man who knows that the world is not as perfect as we would all like it to be, but who nevertheless puts time and effort into improving the world around him.
‘In this case, the Divine Presence helps him all the time, and he will find Heaven.’
Choosing the best road
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Dear Paul ..
Its been a great journey with u .. passing through ur books …
Would like to read more .. writings like Brida .. Pilgrimage .. are truly classics and my all time favourites .
Visitig past lives has always been my area of interest .. will do that as and when i can ..
God Bless U for the light that u’ve spread across
Best Regards
Sanju
YES!!! “God does not inhabit guilt” So simple! So true!
May we always live our lives knowing and embracing this.
((((LOVE))))
Andrei Gavrilov
To the Reader. Epilogue.
I asked myself at an early age, why does everybody live as though they were on an enormous skating rink? Why does an invisible force make everyone race around in a circle without looking back until the day they die? People who have no wish to run with everyone else are viewed as losers. Those moving in the opposite direction are considered crazy, dangerously arrogant or dissidents. I ran with everyone in the “only right” direction. I triumphed in various competitions, won gold medals, plates, discs, gramophones, silver spheres… I had the courage necessary to put an end to the hideous race. I stopped. Then I set off along my own path. My sense of reason, poisoned by fear, tried to push me back. I resisted and fought as hard as I could. I smothered the eternal terror of the modern individual of being surplus to requirement. For a long time I had no success. After a decade of intensely difficult work and prayers at my instrument, musical revelations started to appear. Not illusory ones, but genuine. More and more people started to discern in my music every intention of the composer I was performing. My music stopped humming, jangling, crackling and giving off sparks. It started to talk unobtrusively about what was really important. I ceased to be aware of time; it lost all meaning for me. The so-called “meaning of life” opened up before me. It turned out to be infinitely simple – give love and seek no reward. Reciprocal love is your reward and the meaning of life in its entirety.
This Epilogue was just sent to us, his friends, by the great, legendary Russian Pianist Andrei Gavrilov.It is the epilogue of his book about his life, his Path.
As you say above, dearest Paulo Coelho: ‘In this case, the Divine Presence helps him all the time, and he will find Heaven.’
Blessings.
LOVE,
Thelma xxx
I am going to make a post out of it, in early December.
Thank you for the wonderful text
Dearest Paulo Coelho, Andrei Gavrilov, a wonderful person and ‘friend’ in facebook was looking for a publisher in English for his book and I told him that maybe Monica Antunes , Paulo Coelho’s publisher, could help him. He is a wonderful soul and, in my humble opinion, the best pianist of our times! You will become great friends, I am sure! You both radiant LOVE and LIGHT! He lives in Switzerland too.
LOVE,
Thelma xxx
This is beautiful Thelma
Dearest Princess, this is the BLOG of miracles! Everything ‘here’ is beautiful, because we are ONE and we are … LOVE!
LOVE,
Thelma xxx
- About time -
I also believe time looses its meaning when you are engrossed into what you are doing with love.
Since I have been here it does not mean anything to me what time it is or what day of the week it is for that matter….
-I guess I would fail the Alzheimer test abysmally-
How many vulnerable people are like that also and are being misdiagnosed.
With love
Marie-Christine
Beautiful :)
Very nice message. Though I already know this, I was well reminded of the road I choose. Thanks for the share. =)
he perdido la magia ,la capacidad de soñar ,solo por llenarme de culpas impuestas por otros ,por compartir la vida con alguien totalmente opuesto,ha logrado desarmarme ,dejarme sin fuerzas ,como se hace para volver a soñar ?
german translation
Die Wahl der besten Straße
Als Abt Antonio gefragt wurde, ob die Straße des Opfers in den Himmel führt, antwortete er:
“Es gibt zwei dieser Straßen. Die erste ist jene des Mannes, der sein Fleisch geißelt und Buße tut, weil er glaubt, dass wir alle verdammt sind.
“Dieser Mann fühlt sich schuldig und unwürdig ein glückliches Leben zu führen.
“Er wird nie irgendwo ankommen, weil Gott nicht in der Schuld lebt.
“Der zweite Weg ist der des Mannes, der weiß das die Welt nicht so perfekt ist, wie wir alle sie gerne hätten, der aber dennoch Zeit und Mühe für die Verbesserung der Welt um sich herum aufwendet.
“In diesem Fall hilft ihm die Göttliche Gegenwart immerzu, und er wird den Himmel finden.”
hola!
siempre es importante cambier nuestro entorno ayudar para que asi las cosas vayan trasendiendo a un plano mas inmenso
Estos últimos “Post” La Revolución y Alcanzar el cielo, ambos transmiten una misma enseñanza “nada cambia a menos que se inicie por uno mismo”. El que tenga este sentido de responsabilidad por el mundo que vive, hara lo mejor; pues conoce que el resultado de sus acciones serán en beneficio de la humanidad o el deterorio de la misma.
Essa questão do sacríficio está mto encravada na mente. Ás vezes me sinto bem qdo abro mão de algumas coisas, outro dia parei pra pensar qual o sentido de abrir mão e de onde vinha o prazer resultante de me abster de algumas coisas – fisicas ou espirituais. Creio q é a espera por uma recompensa do Universo lá na frente, mesmo q seja uma espera meio inconsciente. E acho q esse mecanismo complica a vida.
Tentando viver o agora, costurar no momento presente tudo q fiz fiz – ou deixei de fazer e me arrependi – no passado e todas as bençãos q qro colher no futuro.
Há uma frase do Alpeh q é um das q mais me marcou : “é o que vc faz no presente q redimirá o passado e, logicamente, mudará o futuro”
Mas tenho dificuldade, Guerreiro, de não focar no futuro.
Não pensar mto no passado já consigo, mas às vezes a mente viaja demais perdida nas trilhas do futuro. Foco, é meu pedido e minha oração do dia.
Amo vc.
Deus te ilumine
bjos
Dear mr. Coelho,
Last night I had a dream. One of those you just can’t forget or ignore. I ran into you while I was facing an inner conflict which I’m carrying with me for a lot of years. You asked me questions about it which led to an answer that was already there but not yet ready to grasp by myself. I lost the pressure at once. Scared for it to come back I asked you what to do if it returns. You said that I should just look at it, laugh and not take it too seriously.
It doesn’t matter if it was a product of my mind or and insight provided by the universe. It was an enlightning dream about how to get out of your comfortzone and live your dreams. I hope this message gets to you. I wanted to share it and I wish you a pleasant journey!
Kind regards,
Tatjana
Cuando siembras una semilla luego de preparar bien el terreno, cuando tus ideas se esparcen en los cuatro confines, cuando ves crecer la idea, allí y en ese momento agradeces al Creador por haberte dado el don de transmitir su maravilla. Una respuesta como la que da Tatjana es la retribución emocionada al trabajo y el esfuerzo, a la intención y la generosidad. Felicitaciones
” Nobody likes to see people suffering ( rare exceptions).
Every month I support the hospital’s câncer here in Sao Paulo.
I do not know if the money actually goes to people in need, but keep contributing.
Even a little, I will always contribute in some way.
If in the future I feel upset to see injustice. I want at least a comfort, if only to think, “I helped in some way”
—————————————————————————-
Text taken from Paulo Coelho’s Blog on g1. Brazil
A disciple remarked to Rabbi Bouna Pssiskhe :
“The material world seems to suffocate the spiritual world.”
“His pants have two pockets,” said Bouhnam. “Write the right: the world was created just for me. In the left pocket, write: I am nothing but dust and ashes. ”
“Divide and your money in these two places. When you see the misery and injustice, remember that the world exists only so that you can manifest your goodness, and use the money in the right pocket. When you are tempted to buy things that you do not make the slightest fault, remember what is written in your left pocket, and think several times before spending it. Thus, the material world never suffocate the spiritual world. ”
Hugs !!!
You may not like it
But life’s never ever wrong
And that is the truth..
Ask not what is wrong
But rather how did you look
That could see it wrong..
Nothing wrong with pain
Would you choose it for yourself
Again and again..
When you embrace all
And you accept everything
You become heaven..
Heaven is right here
Just as it is this moment
This is so divine..
LoveM
Guess I messed up my posting below.. Reason being, first time typing it up, I scrolled wrong with the mouse and lost the entire text. So, had to type it again, and somehow there is some freeze on my computer, so words fell out.. But you are all going to enjoy it, yes? Even when it’s not perfect :D
Hello Mr Paulo !!!!
I just read Aleph and its amazing !!!
I was thinking if it is possible one day you could write my story ? I hope that that day is not so far…maybe you will bei nterested.Have a nice day and nice week !
Yes true! and the latter involves lots of sacrifice and courage! love Avantika :)
En francais
Choisir le meilleur chemin
Lorsqu’on a demande a l’Abbe Antoine si le chemin du sacrifice menait au Paradis il a repondu;
‘Il y a deux modeles de routes. Le premier est celui de l’homme qui mortifie sa chair et fait penitence parce qu’il croit que nous sommes tous maudits
‘.Cet homme se sent coupable et indigne de vivre une vie heureuse.
‘Il n’arrivera jamais a rien parce que Dieu n’habite pas la mauvaise conscience.
‘Le deuxieme chemin est celui de l’homme qui sait que le monde n’est pas aussi parfait que ce qu’on aimerait mais qui cependant prend le temps et l’effort d’ameliorer le monde autour de lui.
‘Dans ce cas la Presence Divine l’aide tout le temps et il trouvera le Paradis.’
Great pedagogical stories. In the Bible there are quotes like: “Be perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect”. Really? But is not perfect. It is human to fail. How can we encourage each other to keep going? Yesterday, I was mad at myself for making a mistake. I had submitted a request of a service for a family using the wrong code, so it came back Denied. I was mad because this meant the family might have to wait two extra weeks before service can start. When I laughed and told co-workers about it, one said; “I do that twice a month” and another; “Welcome to the club”. It made me feel better..I re-submitted the correct request..Voila!
Well i totally agree in layman terms god helps only those who help themselves and very true guilt has no place in heaven and you need to be very clear about your consent and even if you have committed wrong repentance is the key to the live a happy life thereafter .
This story speaks for itself I think and feel that it is absolutely correct. Good intentions, good thoughts and words create good things. They create good doing. With God’s help, or however you want to call it, all things are possible. I’m convinced. Thank you for this beautiful story.
I wish you all a wonderful day
the road is created as we walk
and Heaven is my road
and my destination
looking for the divine
the beauty in everything
oh joy, what great sensation
as the deer is searching for the stream
I look no further for the Divine
i just walk trying to live my dream
Love and Gratitude
Annie
Annie, that is absolutely beautiful. Thank you :-)
“Although the world is full of suffering , it also full of overcoming it”- Helen Keller
I would definitely like to meet you one day. Since I started reading your books my life and me has changed completely. Everytime I look for answers in life I have found it in your books, blogs, affirmations, quotes, etc. I truly believe in the saying that we are all connected to each other whenever I come accross your writing, as if you are speaking to me directly and penning down the thoughts straight from my heart and head.
You are truly an Alchemist, as you turn life’s complexities into sheer joy and ease. Thank you for blessing us with your writing.
ВИН!О!!
От Эроса до Танатоса
Наш путь лежит.
И выбор нужной скорости
Ваш мир определит.
I choose the road that lead me to happiness and joy and love …. sometimes I takes some strange turns though ;-)
Namaste <3 Jessica
What if you come to a point that you believe that you have done enough? What if you come to a point you are just bored of this role?
What if you come to a point that you just want to discover it instead of change it?
What if you come to a point you just simply don’t want to?
What if you come to a point that you just want to pray to discover the Creator?
There is a lot of what ifs that could swing or shift your choice. I truly believe that we are born free to choose as long as we don’t hurt any other creature.
Just a thought! I thought that we are not to judge any choice.
‘The second road is that of the man who knows that the world is not as perfect as we would all like it to be, but who nevertheless puts time and effort into improving the world around him.’
it is so important to understand the difference between “wanting to make the world perfect” and “putting time & effort into improving the world …”
it made a whole difference to me how I look & lead my life & find happiness/serenity.
“prays, does penance and puts time and effort into improving the world around him.” well that about summs up the second road, why is it difficult to stay on thsi road nancy ! it does not ask one to be perfect, it accepts that we fail ! but so long as we arise and try again we are on the second road, i feel.
heaven & hell are two states within us, depends which way we are facing, oscillating !!
bo0om paulo,
there is no road, what road, its just our imagination.
this is the kingdom of heaven where if we should all fancy whatever it becomes a reality, its so easy just a matter of choosing which dimension we wanna really perceive or project.
god is a concept that is you.
the time to revel in self sacrifice, etc…
we the organism of life, have to react,
there is no good or bad its just another point of view.
what if ???
love to you….all,
bo0om
fLUXman
I choose the second street because the life may move. And if sometimes a little should be different than me to me has introduced, then it should probably be like that.
I think that love and dream must walking toghether, real love must to feed our dreams and believe in our dreams.unfortunatley often it’s not so. but we have the duty to research this kind of love.
love karen
the 2 roads…
i like the 2nd one.. because every person is doing bad things.. that we always ask for forgiveness to god.. that we are sorry for what we’ve done…
julie !
if u start living in your present, while counting your blessings, u will find that there are oppetunities for love. ultimately no soulmate is going to fulfill u, at best it can point out that everything outside of you is inadequate to satiate you, permanently. then your journey within begins and we find love for ourselves, the fountainhead from which all love originates.
i liked your ‘sincerety’; oit’s the single most important asset in journey called life, i feel.
Yagna,
u are worried about HIV, when thousand and one other possibilities are also there, not everything is in our control, let’s focus of what we want to do ( I am awaiting your response, as also paulo’s ( pray !!!) and others on the newletter blog*, i am onto something important for me and would APPRECIATE WHATEVER HELP FELLOW WARRIORS CAN PROVIDE, i would remain indebted), and leave the rest to HIM / HER.
* http://www.paulocoelhoblog.com/warrioroflight/
MAY THE SMILE REMAIN WITH YOU ALWAYS :-)
aditya
Hi..
I so happy that,I could atleast speak through my letters to the one ,who has been guiding me throughout with his books.As u put in the book,”The Witch of Portobello”,there is a world of unknown…I find my protecter in you ,and many a times i could experiance this world of unknown.However,i would like to share more about my views and the world i am into.May be ,i need your help to arrange my words properly to make it a beautiful sentance.
If possible ,as an ice-breaker,could you just read my blog and post in your comment.
The difference, I think, between the two roads is “forgiveness”… seeking forgiveness from God and forgiving oneself. We all fail and sin from time-to-time. Feeling guilty and unworthy is normal as we sinned (this is better than feeling numb and feeling not-guilty-at-all) and seeking forgiveness and repentance from Almighty is the only way and the first step in forgiving ourselves. The second step is “believing” (by faith) that we are forgiven by God. With that, we can still live a happy life amidst the hardship and imperfection of this world…
“Ao ler uma biografia, lembrai-vos de que a verdade não se enquadra bem numa publicação.” Bernard Shaw
Road to Santiago, 1860 By Paulo Coelho
??
xxxx
heay… here i want to such remind you one article Paulo
Towards God,
“Lord”, I finally said “I am not nailed to that cross, not do I see you there. This cross is empty and so it shall remain for ever, because the time of Death has passed. This cross was the symbol of the infinite power that we all have, nailed and killed by man.
Now this power is born again in life, because I have walked the path of common people and in them I have found your own secret.
You too walked the path of common people. You came to teach all that we were capable of, and we did not want to accept this. You showed us that power and glory were in everyone’s reach, and this sudden vision of our capacity was too much for us. We crucified You not because we are ungrateful do the son of God but because we are very afraid to accept our own capacity. With time and tradition, You again became just a distant divinity, and we returned to our destiny as men.
“This is so sin being happy. Half a dozen exercises and on attentive ear are enough to make a man realize his most impossible dream”.
Road to Santiago, 1860 By Paulo Coelho
Fair enough, but sometimes it gets hard to try!
Well, improving the world around me…comes from my retationship with the Divine presence, like any relationship takes time to comunicate, I talk to him openly, he answer me through his Word, a friend, a book…in my case Coehlo’s books always makes me realiza God’s presence in everyday life; to me has a magical, angelica touch; So I know for a fact that He uses our dear friend Coehlo to touch us, to make us improve and evaluate our own life. Grateful to Paulo send spiritual hugs.
O imagine me not signing;
with LOVE to all
hehe
xxxx
The abbot didn’t exactly answer the question though, did he?
the two roads are both roads of sacrifice; the first, obvious…and the second, sacrificing self for the ‘better’ of the world…being generous with time and money etc, would be classic.
But both are sacrifice
and there in is the answer.
Yes.
i guess i’ve been in those roads…
and it made me feel like there is something wrong in my life or so..
At first i can not believe it’s your blog.I became surprised.
Does He in the first line is God?
But i think there is no heaven or hell.
Or if there be a somewhere i think it is sth like here ,
further life.
But if there is heaven and hell, i think he is right.
Because if sb thinks he is guilty it is closed to reality he is guilty.
amen
“prays, does penance and puts time and effort into improving the world around him.” well that about summs up the second road, why is it difficult to stay on thsi road nancy ! it does not ask one to be perfect, it accepts that we fail ! but so long as we arise and try again we are on the second road, i feel.
heaven & hell are two states within us, depends which way we are facing, oscillating !!
Prayer makes you calm, at peace and sustains you with enough strength to get through just about anything, and this is what you can call heaven on earth! :)
It is fascinating how much easier it can seem to go the way of guilt, creating in essence, hell, feeling helpless as to how to find the way out of it. Instead of choosing to create heaven right here, right now, as exemplified in the second story shared. People seem deceived into the thinking there is little choice in the matter, all the while so choosing the road that leads them further and further from heaven.
I must admit I feel I have bounced from one road to the other at any given time. To consciously stay on the second road is hard.
Boa noite…
Encantada de conhece-lo…Meu filho e um admirador seu e compra todos os seus libros e lemos toda a familia…Estamos lendo “Como el rio que fluye” e estou gostando muito…Gostaria de contar-lhe minha historia, o melhor te interessaria; vivo en Espanha ha 17 anos, sou de Manaus e vivi no rio 5 anos…Vir aqui com a cara e a coragem como tantos imigrantes e de verdade me encanta este país, menos o frio que passo mal, nao me adapto…Este ano estive em Manaus e Salvador de 27 de setembro a 27 de outubro, em Manaus fazia um calor horrivel e chegando aqui encontrei um frio, que contraste…Sair de casa com 12 anos e fui viver com uma tia en Rio…Sou de uma familia grande minha mae teve 11 filhos e apesar de uma vida pobre , criou 6 mais, sendo os mesmo filhos de minhas irmans, com exceçao de 01 que foi adotivo mesmo…Hoje somos 8 irmaos, ja que uma irman morreu num acidente de carro, isto é, uns policia bebados conduzia um carro da policia e lhe atropelaram; meu irman igual um aidente de carro e ate hoje nao sabemos quem matou e outra minha irman de um cancer no peito…Minha vida e cheia de luta e tambem há “coisas” muita bonita, como toda vida de um ser humano, passamos por várias etapas,…Gosto muito de ler e de escrever também. Sei que seu tempo é precioso, porem se me respondesse ficaria muito feliz…O proximo libro seu gostaria de ser outografado por voce e iria onde fora por esta assinatura…Alguém que te admira muito…Rose …OBS:Abraços a sua esposa…
Amen!
Monica can only handle one person (myself) but posting it in my blog may eventually bring attention to him.
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