The Alchemist

I have read Paulo Coelho ‘The Alchemist’ numerous times over the years; and have recommend as a 'must read' to all— believers and non believers! As this book has this amazing quality to transforms the way you perceive life with its triumphs and failures alike…

The Alchemist presents a simple tale based on plain truths and places one can identify with. As Coelho says "simple things are the most valuable and only wise people appreciate them".

The reader is pursued by ideas, signs and adventure like resonance from past life. Symbols are omnipresent in this masterpiece through these Paulo shows us how to accept our destiny and strongly recommends readers to follow their dreams, because to find our "Personal Myth" and our mission on earth is the way to discovering "God" which is symbolic of happiness and fulfillment.

The novel revolves around the tale of Santiago, a shepherd boy who has a dream and the courage to follow it. How he understands the meaning of the ‘the signs’ that he comes across on his journey and ventures in a realm to understand himself by exploration and self-discovery, while searching for the hidden treasure located near the pyramids in Egypt. He journeys from Spain to Morocco in search of worldly achievement (money/love/fame etc.).

On his journey he gets to meet many spiritual signs in unassuming forms such as a camel driver and a well-read Englishman. It is from this Englishman's book that Santiago learns about the alchemists—men who believed that if a metal was heated for many years, it would free itself of all its individual properties and what was left would be the "Soul of the World." Later he meets a real alchemist and becomes his student resulting in clarifying many of his imprudent agendas while still staying allowing himself to be true to his dreams. It is his encounter with the alchemist that brings self-understanding and spiritual enlightenment.

Coelho also suggests that those who do not have the courage to follow their "Personal Myth" are doomed to a life of emptiness and misery. Fear of failure seems to be the greatest obstacle to happiness. He asks all to dream and to avoid living a life in void.

‘The Alchemist’, is a masterpiece that fills you with sanguinity; Coelho through the novel shows you how everything is possible; as long as you really want it with all your heart. So go ahead and find your dreams and make them come true…

Recommended read: Do check out Paulo Coelho blog for more golden nuggets at http://paulocoelhoblog.com/.