“My heart is afraid to suffer”

by Paulo Coelho on February 14, 2012

“Why do we have to listen to our hearts?” the boy asked, when they had made camp that day.

“Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you’ll find your treasure.”

“But my heart is agitated,” the boy said. “It has its dreams, it gets emotional, and it’s become passionate over a woman of the desert. It asks things of me, and it keeps me from sleeping many nights, when I’m thinking about her.”

“Well, that’s good. Your heart is alive. Keep listening to what it has to say.”

“My heart is a traitor,” the boy said to the alchemist, when they had paused to rest the horses. “It doesn’t want me to go on.”

“That makes sense. Naturally it’s afraid that, in pursuing your dream, you might lose everything you’ve won.”

“Well, then, why should I listen to my heart?”

“Because you will never again be able to keep it quiet. ”

“You mean I should listen, even if it’s treasonous?”

“Treason is a blow that comes unexpectedly. If you know your heart well, it will never be able to do that to you. Because you’ll know its dreams and wishes, and will know how to deal with them.

“My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer,” the boy told the alchemist one night as they looked up at the moonless sky.

“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.”

From “The Alchemist”
 
 

{ 718 comments }

Sarai October 8, 2012 at 8:33 pm

Dear Paulo,

I just finished reading your book for my English class in high school. Its so hard to describe how your book made me feel, how much it has inspired me or how it made me remember that i can believe in my dreams. Your book is just so beautiful. Thankyou for writing it.
p.s. I don’t mean to be rude, but I did not think you were still alive, but you are, I think, ill Google it later on.
Sincerely,
Sarai Reyez

Jere September 16, 2012 at 12:15 pm

excellent post, very informative. I ponder why the opposite specialists of
this sector do not realize this. You must proceed your writing.
I am confident, you’ve a great readers’ base already!

kahou May 11, 2012 at 7:47 pm

Mr coelho you said that we don’t have to waste time on looking for answers of the questions which ask themselves in our lifes and we just have to enjoy them and all the heroes of your stories always find the answers ??? (Sorry for my english)

CristinaB April 11, 2012 at 9:11 am

our heart is our real treasure and it’s always with us.this is, I think, the real secret of aur life: we are here to learn to listen to our heart.
have a nice day and love for everybody!!!

PS: fur die zwei Personen die hier in Deutsch geschrieben haben: ich werde ihre frage ubersetzen fur Paulo.
DEAR PAULO There are some problem with the lack of translation in german. They would appreciate a translation in german too.
Anyway, the fact that they understood the meaning, even if they don’t speak english, confirms the Rule that Our Heart knows Everything.

Lindaline March 17, 2012 at 1:39 am

Lieber Paul.

ich weiß garnicht wo ich mit meinen Lobpreisungen anfangen soll.
Ich danke dir von ganzen,ganzem Herzen für deine tollen Bücher.Diese haben mein Herz und meine Seele brührt und mir in vieler Hinsicht die Augen geöffnet.Ich danke dir soo sehr.Ich kenne dich zwar nicht persönlich , unterstelle dir aber ein wundervoller Mann zu sein , denn nur ein wundervoller Mensch ist in der lage solche unglaublich wunderbaren Werke hervorzubringen.
Ich finde garkeine Worte für meine Begeisterung und kann mich nur mit Adjektiven überschlagen.
Bis jetzt habe ich ” Aleph” und Veronika beschließt zu sterben ” gelesen und diese Bücher haben mich sehr fasziniert und inspiriert.
Daanke Gott ,dem Universum oder wem auch immer , dass es dich gibt.
Danke für deine Tollen Bücher.

Ich wünsche dir Alles Gute dieser Welt.

Danke.

Ps:Ich hätte das alles auch in eglisch schreiben können.Leider kann ich mich auf englisch nicht soo gut ausdrücken können.Aber ich bin mir sicher du verstehst das.

toni March 12, 2012 at 3:32 am

i’m gonna have to read the alchemist again to keep me off track now more than ever that i’ am working on realizing my dreams. oh God be with me.

arun March 9, 2012 at 10:33 am

Dear Paulo, I have read Alchemist many times and narrated to my son Orian when he was 4/5 yrs old now he is 9 yrs old and still remembers the story. I feel that this book was got written by you none other than GOD himself. He was speaking and whatever he was speaking you were reducing it to writting….. All the hats to him & you !!!! :)

Eleonora Balkh March 6, 2012 at 5:13 pm

I have read “The Alchemist” 3 times and now going to read it again. It is really a special book full of wisdom. Bravo, maestro Coelho!

fatima March 5, 2012 at 3:28 pm

Eu adorei ler os seus livros, eu sempre escuto meu coração, mesmo que eu tenha medo de sofrer, eu vou a luta, mesmo tendo decepções, o que vale são as lições que acontece para minha evolução.

Chetan Bhasin February 25, 2012 at 12:32 pm

Oh god! I have read this part like a 100 times, yet I don’t get bored of it.

aisha ronquillo February 24, 2012 at 8:09 am

This is the most unforgettable line from The Alchemist. If there is ever a book that reflects our inner fears when we go in seach of our dreams, this book will silence each and every voice of fear.

Cindy February 22, 2012 at 4:08 am

el alquimista fue el primer libro que leí de ti coelho y me enamoro… tanto que me declaro una adicta a ti *.* aprendo tanto de ellos que creo jamás podre agradecerte la fuerza, el apoyo, el valor y los sueños que me han brindado :) … Feliz Sn. Valentin Paulo Coelho porque estoy enamorada de tu trabajo… de tus creencias y tus palabras C:

C.Bravo February 20, 2012 at 11:22 pm

I’ve read the Alchemist a second time and i percieve a differente message than years before, and the message is that I’m always afraid to suffer. I suffer with love, with my job, and my dreams I’m not following, economic crisis etc… Thanks for the reminder.

densi February 20, 2012 at 10:07 pm

“Because you will never again be able to keep it quiet. ”
…proceeding in similar fashion:

In the first place, no “burning” in the sense of combustion, as in the burning of wood, occurs in a volcano; moreover, volcanoes are not necessarily mountains; furthermore, the activity takes place not always at the summit but more commonly on the sides or flanks and finally, the “smoke” is not smoke but condensed steam.
/Fred Bullard, Volcanoes in History/
:)

Camilo February 19, 2012 at 7:31 pm

Hermoso, si no nos arriesgamos en esta vida nunca alcanzaremos nada y si el riesgo nos trajo decepciones pues habrá valido la pena porque nos hará día a día mas fuertes y veremos que somos hijos de Dios que estamos aprendiendo, aun cuando duela aprender pero es mejor que nunca haberse arriesgado….

Adriana February 18, 2012 at 6:33 pm

This is one of the loveliest passages I’ve ever read and I keep it in mind whenever I am required to make a decission. It is me who decides and not the will of others in my mind. I love you, dearest Heart.

giovanna procel February 18, 2012 at 6:18 am

Ame o amo a la misma persona por màs de 24 años, aprendì muy joven que amar duele y duele tanto que no se si podrìa alguna vez abrir mi corazón. Me da miedo volver a sufrir si ni siquiera se si supere el dolor de la primera vez.

Татьяна February 18, 2012 at 4:40 am

It is beautiful!

Max February 18, 2012 at 4:08 am

Thanx Mr Paulo for this wonderful book. Only the heart that has suffered can come out it with such a beautiful treaure. Hope every heart fulfills its dreams…

Chukwunedu February 18, 2012 at 2:17 am

Very inspiring. Where do you get your inspirations from?

Shogheeg Apkarian February 17, 2012 at 6:19 pm

This is the first book I read by you Mr. Coelho. I love this passage so much. It shows me that I should not stop doing things I love because I am afraid of failing or criticism. I must move forward toward my dream, what I want most. I can’t wait to read the book you’re currently working on. Best of luck and thank you so much for all you have given us.
With Love,
Shogheeg Apkarian

Breda February 17, 2012 at 3:41 pm

I love this reading..spoken and written from the heart of one who has felt the pain and fear but listened to listen his own heart.
It has a deep spiritul truth .
Love
Breda

Breda February 17, 2012 at 3:42 pm

PS meant to say..learned to listen to his own heart’

Laila February 17, 2012 at 12:46 pm

The Grownup
It’s times like these, when you don’t know what to believe, that it becomes frustrating. Those times when you can’t tell whose voice you’re hearing. One is the grownup, the mature one. The one who always rationalizes everything. The realistic one who doesn’t care but about themselves, about not getting hurt while hurting others in the process.
The other one would be the child who cares about everyone. The child that is always laughing and giggling. It’s always happy with what it has and is a joy to have in life. Everyone loves that child but they don’t know it. The grownup hides the child away from you, so you don’t act like that child. The grownup wants you to mature, to be realistic, not to take risks so you won’t hurt yourself. But you can’t really enjoy your life without that child.
The child is the only one who knows what you’re really feeling, the only one who can tell you. But it’s hidden away, kept under lock and key. Its voice, drowned out by the grownup trying to sound like it, disappears. The grownup is doing an excellent job feeding you lies for which you do fall and keeping you miserable while convincing you, that you’re just fine, that you are content with your life.
The grownup being your brain and the child your heart

Xperienced February 17, 2012 at 3:55 pm

maturity takes its toll!

Xperienced February 17, 2012 at 4:04 pm

As grownups, it is almost everyone’s expectation that we set aside our heart and feelings and go by our head. Regardless of what we believe in, constant pressure makes us behave that way to the point we make it a part of our everyday life, only to find that this time everyone is complaining that people in this world are heartless! what an irony!

HELGA M. PATRY-ROBB March 8, 2012 at 11:50 am

I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THE LITTLE GIRL IN ME………………………………….
I THINK I HAVE FINALLY FOUND IT………………..
I AM 71 YEARS OLD…………………

*Eva* February 16, 2012 at 3:49 pm

Dziękuję. Wybaczam. Czekam(Thank you.Forgive you.Waiting for you.)

margherita February 16, 2012 at 11:19 am

SE AMARE SIGNIFICA ANCHE SOFFRIRE, ALLORA IO AMO
LOVE

Iris Dahle February 16, 2012 at 8:40 am

Looking forward seeing the opera based on ” The Alchemist” in Kristiansund, Norway tomorrow. I hope I like it and that it gives me the same feeling as when i read your book. Love

margaretha diana February 16, 2012 at 8:38 am

” wherever your heart is, that is where you’ll find your treasure.”
meaningless,,,

Narcis Giuseppe February 16, 2012 at 7:21 am

Hello Mr. Coelho,
I have read all your books, including Aleph, i live in Romania, and i like to write.
Can you visit my blog and tell me if i am going on the right path?
Do i have a chance to write a good book?
Hope that you will answer to my emaill.
Best regards !

Zoobia February 16, 2012 at 6:15 am

Wonderful indeed….
Heart is one who keeps on telling us to move forward in our life.but fear to lose push us backward…..Heart is center of Soul and thoughts…it brings us sadness and joy simultaneously.but He wins,who know the art of trading his happiness with others sorrows ….
love and light to All…

aileen February 16, 2012 at 5:46 am

after reading the alchemist, my way of life was remolded. My gratitude to Mr. Coelho. I am 22 years old and his books made me think and rethink what i did and what i can do. How i wish i could think as deep as he do but for now, I am thankful for his works for it made me challege myself to think deeper. :)

kary February 16, 2012 at 3:01 am

que puedo decir hay veces que el corazon sufre y como alguien nos dijo alguna vez el corazon cuando es herido no sana por completo solo cicatriza, y lamentablemente esa cicatriz duele y tarda en recuperarse

soniamuñoz February 16, 2012 at 1:03 am

Respecto a su comentario de san valentin, por favor amar sin miedo y entregar todo cuanto sentimos por el ser amado, nunca perdemos, pierde quien nunca valora tus sentimientos por que se queda sin ti y sin tu amor y esa persona nunca encontrara quien le ame igual, Dios pondra su toque divino para poner en tu camino a la persona maravillosa que esta preparada para recibir tanto amor como el que hay en tu corazon, nunca pierdas la capacidad para entregar con el alma y el corazon.

Empié February 16, 2012 at 12:37 am

Falta mucho…???

Estoy cansado sin embargo noto que cambio, y que vuelvo a ser yo, y ahora tengo más señales que nunca, incluso gente en mi camino que me habla “abiertamente” de mi proceso, supongo que estar cansado es razonable. Mañana será otro día, y dentro de un mes mi mundo y yo seremos otros, así que como tantas veces, a dormir. Paso a paso, ya han pasado 18 años, quien me lo iba a decir.

Un saludo, hasta mañana…

Arto Hutto February 15, 2012 at 11:58 pm

In Swedish:

“Mitt hjärta är rädd för att lida”

“Varför måste vi lyssna till våra hjärtan?” frågade pojken, när de hade slagit läger den dagen.

“Därför att där ditt hjärta är. Det är där du hittar din skatt.”

“Men mitt hjärta är upprört”, sa pojken. “Det har sina drömmar, det blir känslomässigt och det har blivit passionerad över en kvinna i öknen. Det begär saker av mig och det håller mig vaken många nätter, när jag tänker på henne. ”

“Ja, det är bra. Ditt hjärta lever. Fortsätt lyssna på vad det har att säga dig. ”

“Mitt hjärta är en förrädare”, sa pojken till alkemisten, när de hade stannat för att vila hästarna. “Det vill inte att jag ska gå vidare.”

“Det låter vettigt. Naturligtvis är det rädd för att att fullfölja din dröm, du kan ju förlora allt du har vunnit. ”

“Men, varför ska jag lyssna till mitt hjärta?”

“Eftersom du kommer aldrig mer att kunna hålla det tyst. ”

“Menar du att jag bör lyssna, även om det är förrädiskt?”

“Förräderi är ett slag som kommer oväntat. Om du känner ditt hjärta väl, kommer det aldrig att kunna göra så mot dig. Eftersom du vet dess drömmar och önskemål, och vet hur man hanterar dem.

“Mitt hjärta är rädd för att det kommer att behöva lida”, berättade pojken för alkemisten en natt när de tittade upp mot den månlösa himlen.

“Säg ditt hjärta att rädslan för lidande är värre än själva lidandet. Och att inget hjärta någonsin har lidit när det gått på jakt efter sina drömmar, eftersom varje sekund av sökningen är en sekunds möte med Gud och med evigheten. ”

Från “Alkemisten”

I original postad här: http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2012/02/14/our-hear/
Paulo Coelho på svenska: http://www.facebook.com/PauloCoelhoSverige
Översättning: oLaVie (kommentera gärna)
(http://olavie.wordpress.comhttp://twitter.com/O_La_Vie)

Nena February 15, 2012 at 8:27 pm

Beautiful!
You give me so much every day Paulo!
***
Let me but live my life from year to year,
With forward face and unreluctant soul;
Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal;
Not mourning for the things that disappear
In the dim past, nor holding back in fear
From what the future veils; but with a whole
And happy heart, that pays its toll
To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer.

So let the way wind up the hill or down,
Over rough or smooth, the journey will be joy:
Still seeking what I sought when but a boy,
New friendship, high adventure, and a crown,
My heart will keep the courage of the quest,
And hope the road’s last turn will be the best.
=)

Zoobia February 16, 2012 at 6:16 am

V inspiring Nina…….

Vincent Casale February 15, 2012 at 6:17 pm

Unfortunately if the heart has suffered a few times it is hard to open it up again!

Olga February 15, 2012 at 5:28 pm

He llorado mientras leo tus libros excepto por Aleph y me hacés reir en momentos en que no se supone que deberia hacerlo cuando no los estoy leyendo.

Rossana February 15, 2012 at 2:51 pm

“Yo quiero que en tu cielo HOY brille el sol, con la intensidad justa para que tus alas sientan su tibieza y te animes a volar sin que puedas llegar a quemarte”…

Addiszemen Gebre February 15, 2012 at 1:52 pm

I have no words to say anything about the book, it is just my start point of dealing with life.
Great thanks to the Auther

shruti February 15, 2012 at 12:47 pm

in our language hindi we have a saying”man ke hare har hai aur man ke jeete jeet” which means defeat and victory are states of our heart ,if we believe that we have lost….no matter what we do we have lost .this book truely was inspiring one for me,thanks for it dear.

Anna February 15, 2012 at 7:09 am

Lieber Paulo
Ich würde sehr gerne Ihr Video anschauen, aber leider verstehe ich keine andere Sprache als Deutsch. Sorry
Anna

Lars Berewinkel February 15, 2012 at 3:25 pm

Oh! Großartig. Es gibt ja eine Übersetzung ins Deutsch. Splendid, phenomenal! Prima!

Alexandra February 15, 2012 at 5:50 am

Durante este camino ke he rrecorrido, a mis 25 años, me he topado con personas ke no consideran literatura a su libros, personas que suele llmarse intelectuales.
Hablando desde mi perspectiva, puedo decirle que sus libros han llenado esos vacios en mi vida, me han dado las respuestas para poder liberarme de muchas tristezas, useños frutrados y etapas dificiles y apesar de lo doloroso que ha sido mi camino en el amor, con un alama gemela lejos de mi, un matrimonio fracasado, y miles de ilusiones rotas, sus libros me han ayudado a seguir adelante… me senté con pilar a llorarle al río píedra… tambíén me despedi de una amos como maría, sólo ke en mi ksa no regresó por mi al aeropuerto…. luchó contra mis demonios como la srita prym y ya hubike a mi alam gemela , como brida y ahora vivo mi locura como Verónica,, pues en algún momento pense también ke mi vida era monótona,aun me faltan muchos más por leer y seguro que encontraré als respuestas ke mi corazon y mi vida necesita … Gracias!!

Jorge Conde Altamirano February 15, 2012 at 4:40 am

Es cierto, incluso el dolor que se siente cuando se sufre es una forma de conocerse por dentro, es una forma de purificarse y de ser mas fuerte.

Tammy February 15, 2012 at 4:09 am

“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself.”

I pulled my friend to buy the book at Chapter last week. After seeing it priced 15$. She asked if she can buy it online. She’s not a regular book reader, I imagine it will take her days to decide to order, and days to decide to read. So I promised her that I’ll pay her a Pho dinner if she can tell me if she doesn’t like it. After getting the book, we went for dinner. She was reading it during the dinner with her eyes sparkling, and promised to treat me the next dinner when she is done with the book. I wouldn’t get this experience If she did get it online. Thank you for the master piece. Fr Vamcouver Canada. I’m looking forward to find other books of yours to read.

Emanuela February 15, 2012 at 3:50 am

Paulo, muito obrigada por ser fonte para todos.
Abraços

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