Agriculture and creativity

by Paulo Coelho on February 11, 2012


Ploughing the field
The moment the soil is turned, oxygen penetrates places it was unable to previously. This process of interior revolution is very important – because, just as the field’s new look will see sunlight for the first time, a new assessment of our values will allow us to see life innocently, without ingenuityA good creator must know how to continually turn over his values, and never be content with that which he/she believes he/she understands.
Sowing
All work is the fruit of contact with life. He/she never knows, at the outset, which things will be important to him in the future, so the more intense his life is, the more possibilities he/she will create for an original language. If he/she tries to imitate or control his inspiration, he/she will never obtain that which he/she desires. He/she must allow his life to sow the fertile soil of his unconscious.
Growth
There is a time in which the work writes itself, freely, at the bottom of the author’s soul – before it dares show itself. The creator must respect the time of gestation, although he/she knows – just like the farmer – that he/she is only partially in control of his field; it is subject to drought and floods. But if he/she knows how to wait, the stronger plants, which can resist bad weather, will come to light with great force.
The Harvest
The moment when a person manifests on a conscious plane he/she sowed and allowed to grow. If he/she harvests early, the fruit is green, if he/she harvests late, the fruit is rotten. Every artist recognizes the arrival of this moment; although some aspects may not have matured fully, some ideas not be crystal clear, they reorganize themselves as the work is produced. Without fear and with great discipline, he/she understands that he/she must work from dawn to dusk, until the work is finished.
Sharing
And what to do with the results of the harvest? Again, we look to Mother Nature: she shares everything with everyone. An artist who wishes to keep his work to himself, is not being fair with that which he/she received from the present moment, nor with the inheritance and teachings of his forefathers. If we leave the grain stored in the granary, it will go bad, even though it was harvested at the right time. When the harvest is over, the time comes to share, without fear or shame, your own soul.

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{ 73 comments… read them below or add one }

Nick Papageorgiou February 25, 2012 at 6:34 pm

I’v read all the books and i think that the best part of them is that they make it to say truth’s;that deep we all know,in a simple and plesant way!!!AND it;s very defecault to say complicate situations in a such plesant way.Congraculation’s,and greedings from Greece.

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densi February 20, 2012 at 9:04 pm

When you start with a portrait and search for a pure form, a clear volume, through successive eliminations, you arrive inevitably at the egg. Likewise, starting with the egg and following the same process in reverse, one finishes with the portrait.
/Pablo Picaso/
… translate Picaso’s egg into the tree :)

The tree that is beside the running water is fresher and gives more fruit.
/Saint Teresa of Avila/

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Wynn February 20, 2012 at 8:32 am

I’m afraid of sharing my soul. :/

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Matthew February 19, 2012 at 4:57 am

Thank you for this passage.

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Bastiaan February 16, 2012 at 2:39 am

I especially like the last part about sharing. It is through sharing that we can connect and rise above ourselves.

So, thank you for sharing! :-)

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ian pasig February 13, 2012 at 9:49 pm

definite acknowledge and very engaging sir. very well written.
i place my confidence in approving what you have said about
sharing the harvest. i myself teaches art class for free when
i have no work on my schedule.

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Tell February 13, 2012 at 1:44 pm

a stronger connection between mind and body helps us living more in tune with.. nature

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isthatso? February 13, 2012 at 7:07 am

Very nice prose. However PLEASE responsibly remind your readers that not all metaphors actually hold up to the “what is”, as they may be marginally true and questionably kind.
Tilling of the soil can and does damage the intricate balance between billions of micro organisms that have likely taken years or decades to achieve. Repeating “turning over” will damage the soil beyond practical rehabilitation. The chemistry of botany, and the life sustaining nutrients it provides to us all, is not to me trifled with lightly. Poetic license notwithstanding. :)

In any case, ponder, investigate, discover for yourself.

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Empié February 12, 2012 at 11:54 pm

Paciencia, tenacidad y trabajo. Ya es mañana.

Buenas noches…

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Izabel February 12, 2012 at 11:50 pm

This reminds me that we are all a part of nature not above it. We are co-creators and thus an intergragral aspect of the divine will. Ecclesiastes 3:1 – 8: There is a season…one of my favourite passages in the Old Testament. xx

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Ольга February 12, 2012 at 10:24 pm

How many people, so many opinions! Some like, others do not accept it! Paulo Coelho unusual person – I thank God that gave the opportunity to get acquainted with the work of this man. In his every word, every phrase is hidden revelation of the soul. Help me a lot to live his book. Thank you and God you long life and creativity!

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isthatso? February 13, 2012 at 7:14 am

“his every word”? “every phrase”? really? is that so?
ponder, investigate, discovery for yourself.
the awesomeness of YOUR mind beckons you to explorations beyond the limits of beliefs.

hugs and kindness.

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