Do you believe in God?
Of course. And I hope that God also believes in me and my work.
Tag Archive for 'God'
By Paulo Coelho
During the early part of the Christian era, the monastery at Scete became a center where many people gathered. After renouncing everything they had, they went to live in the desert surrounding the monastery. Many of the teachings of these men have been collected and published in numerous books.The stories of the desert priests
Work in the field
A young man crossed the desert and finally came to the monastery of Scete. There, he asked to hear one of the abbot’s lectures - and was granted permission.
That afternoon, the abbot’s discourse was about the importance of work in the field.
After the lecture, the young man said to one of the monks:
- That was amazing. I thought I would hear a fine sermon about virtues and sins, and the abbot spoke only of tomatoes, irrigation and so forth. Where I come from, all believe that God is merciful: all one must do is pray.
The monk smiled and replied:
- Here we believe that God has already done His part; now it is up to us to continue the process.
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By Paulo Coelho
During the early part of the Christian era, the monastery at Scete became a center where many people gathered. After renouncing everything they had, they went to live in the desert surrounding the monastery. Many of the teachings of these men have been collected and published in numerous books.
The town on the far side
A hermit from the monastery of Scete went to Abbot Theodore:
- I know precisely the objective of life. I know what God asks of man, and I know the best way of serving Him. Even so, I am incapable of doing everything I should in order to serve the Lord.
Abbot Theodore remained silent for a time. Finally, he said:
- You know that there is a city on the far side of the ocean. But you haven’t yet found the ship, nor have you loaded your bags, nor crossed the sea. Why spend time commenting on what it is like, or how one should walk through its streets?
“Knowing the objective of life, or recognizing the best way of serving the Lord is not enough. Put into practice that which you think, and the way will be revealed all by itself.”
Welcome to Share with Friends - Free Texts for a Free Internet
By Paulo Coelho
During the early part of the Christian era, the monastery at Scete became a center where many people gathered. After renouncing everything they had, they went to live in the desert surrounding the monastery. Many of the teachings of these men have been collected and published in numerous books.
The middle way
The monk Lucas was walking through a village accompanied by a disciple. An old man asked the man from Scete:
- Holy man, how can I come closer to God?
- Enjoy yourself. Praise the Creator with your joy - was the reply.
The two went on their way. Just then, a young man came over.
- What must I do to come closer to God?
- Enjoy yourself less - said Lucas.
When the young man left, the disciple commented:
- It seems to me that you are not sure whether or not one should enjoy oneself.
- A spiritual journey is a bridge with no railings across an abyss - replied Lucas, - If someone is too near the right hand side, I tell him ‘left a bit!’ If he approaches the left side, I say ‘right a bit!’ The extremes veer us away from the Path.
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By Paulo Coelho
In the desert, fruit was scarce. God called one of his prophets and said:
- Each person may only eat one fruit a day.
The custom was obeyed for many generations, and the ecology of the place was preserved. Since the remaining fruit supplied seeds, other trees appeared. Soon, the entire region was turned into fertile soil, which was the envy of other towns.
But the people continued to eat one fruit a day - they remained faithful to what the ancient prophet of their forefathers had told them. However they never allowed the inhabitants of other villages to take advantage of the abundant harvest with which they were rewarded each year.
The result was that fruit rotted on the ground.
God called a new prophet and said:
- Let them eat as much fruit as they like. And ask them to share the abundance with their neighbors.
The prophet came to the town with the new message. But he was stoned - for by now the custom was ingrained in the hearts and minds of each of the inhabitants.
With time, the younger villagers began to question the barbaric old custom. But, since the tradition of the elders was unbending, they decided to abandon the religion. Thus, they could eat as much fruit as they wished, and give the rest to those in need of food.
The only people who remained faithful to the local church, were those who considered themselves saints. But in truth they were unable to see how the world changes, and recognize how one must change with it.
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By Paulo Coelho
The Warrior of Light pays attention to small things because they can severely hamper him.
(Manual of the Warrior of Light)
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You mention that none of your characters in 11 Minutes know what sex is about. But the writer is like God in that he always knows what goes on between the lines and outside the brackets. So what is sex about?
The writer is not God, but a human being in search of his own identity. And sex was the way that God choose to manifest the mystery of creation. In eleven minutes you can be the instrument of creating a new soul.
