From the Bookshelf of The Self-Development Book Club: Reading for Growth …

The Alchemist

Paulo Coelho

Start date: September 3, 2020

Finish date: September 20, 2020

Discussion leader: Trisha

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Nov 13, 2020 Preetam Chatterjee rated it it was amazing

In theory, The Alchemist is a novel having characters, a plot, themes and motifs, and an imaginative narrative and style.

Yet, it offers readers consolation as well as a consequential memorandum about finding one’s course, in a way that swerves toward the self-help allegory.

Once you ascertain your exact destiny, the book argues, you will find that the whole universe will help you accomplish your goals. It’s an encouraging story of self-actualization that speaks to individual accomplishment and In theory, The Alchemist is a novel having characters, a plot, themes and motifs, and an imaginative narrative and style.

Yet, it offers readers consolation as well as a consequential memorandum about finding one’s course, in a way that swerves toward the self-help allegory.

Once you ascertain your exact destiny, the book argues, you will find that the whole universe will help you accomplish your goals. It’s an encouraging story of self-actualization that speaks to individual accomplishment and the oneness of creation.

When you’re smiling, as the saying goes, the whole world smiles with you!

Coelho wrote his story of fantasy and adventure in just two weeks.

A shepherd boy in Andalusia by the name of Santiago asks a Romani fortune-teller about a returning dream. She infers the dream as prophesizing that Santiago will discern treasure at the Pyramids of Giza. Hence, he sets off to Egypt.

Santiago encounters Melchizedek, the king of Salem, who explains the concept of the “Personal Legend,” something that a person has always wanted to do. He meets and falls in love with Fatima, who pledges to marry Santiago once he has completed his journey. Santiago then travels with an alchemist, who helps the boy realize his true self, and who helps him convert into a kind of windstorm called a simoom to escape opposing tribes.

At last he begins digging at the pyramids, only to learn that the treasure he seeks is back home in Spain—and inside himself.

Responding to a question from the Pharisees about when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21).

This tale describes our condition. We are probing for contentment and love all over the world. Little do we recognize that proper wealth, true bliss, and true love are waiting within us. We think that happiness is outside ourselves. We think it lies in wealth, name and fame, possessions, and relationships. But true happiness lies within. God lies within us. God’s love is within. There is nothing in the outer world that can measure up to that. Instead of seeking the true treasure outside ourselves, we should sit in meditation and find the true wealth within.

Then we will find our lives filled with love, bliss, and eternal peace and happiness.
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