A Difficult But Rewarding Way of Life. Review on The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

The Alchemist is the story of a Spanish shepherd boy who, one night, has a dream where he sees a treasure hidden near the pyramids of Egypt and believes that he is meant to find it. I will spoil the end of the book by saying that “HE FINDS HIS TREASURE!!!” But in this book, like in life, the point of achievement of the goal is momentary and the journey is what truly counts.

In the story, the boy faces difficulties, takes risks and at one time, even loses everything he has while on his journey. But nature’s sense of balance also continually provides him with clues, omens and guides to help him in his times of need and indecision. Only, his heart is open and fearless enough to recognize them.

Life, from my experiences, works in the same way. The key is to listen to your inner voice and carry on even when you don’t know where you are going and how you are going to get there. Time opens up the avenues. If you are thinking that this is all theoretical stuff, ask yourself this; Am I where I thought 5 years ago, I would be? How did I reach this far in life? And how in the name of God did I manage to accomplish some of the things that I even now I think are beyond my capacity!?!? The answers might surprise you.

The Alchemist reminds me of the first paragraph from Jennifer’s Lopez’s song “Alive”.

Time

Goes, slowly now, in my life,

Fear, no more, of what, I'm not sure,

Searching to feel your soul,

The strength to stand alone,

The power of not knowing, and letting go…

The phrase that attracts me most here is “The power of not knowing and letting go...” It took me a while to fully grasp its meaning, but now I do. See, the flip side of knowing that something is possible, is knowing that something IS NOT POSSIBLE. And there is power in not knowing that something is not possible and pursuing that with abandon because then, you sometimes achieve the not possible.

At the heart of this book lies the phenomenon that in life, sometimes, rational choices backfire while instinctive, seemingly insane ones see you through. The difference between the two approaches is the same as that between life lived as a statistical equation, where if you do X, you most probably get Y, and life lived where rationally, all paths are open for you, yet only ONE path truly is. That path is the most peaceful, not the easiest, or the simplest or the least painful, but, I repeat, the most peaceful and is the one governed by your “Inner Voice”.

This experience on your TRUE PATH is the ALCHEMIST that metamorphoses you from your ordinary self into a stronger, more complete and spiritually evolved human being.