The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a fascinating tale of mysticism and alchemy. Within The Alchemist, a shepherd boy named Santiago discovers and undertakes a quest to seek out his own unique destiny. Although the story is written as a fable, there are many layers of depth and truth. I explore a few of these themes within this article which may be helpful to others who are traveling the evolutionary Path.
The Personal Legend
An interesting idea presented within The Alchemist is the world’s greatest lie:
This is an easy trap to fall into. Circumstances created by oneself over time build around them and at one point it may feel like you are meant to be leading the life you are presently living. This may or may not be the case and is really dependent upon the individual and their own destiny. The important point to remember is that we are all in charge of our own lives and that no two individual or paths are alike. Each person has a role to play within the overall evolutionary scheme of the universe and steps can be taken at any time to begin traveling down that path.
The world’s greatest lie leads into a key theme within The Alchemist, that of the Personal Legend. The Personal Legend is the concept that each person has a unique destiny that they are meant to aspire to. Only you can answer what your own Personal Legend is and that is accomplished by seeking guidance from within and learning the Language of the World. The Personal Legend is tied to the one great truth on this planet as presented within The Alchemist:
People are capable at any time in their lives of doing what they dream of, it is only a matter of recognizing the desire within oneself and taking the necessary action to manifest these desires. This path will undoubtedly lead to a series of painful growth experiences and difficult choices. The most important and difficult choices consist of choosing between something you had become accustomed to and something you want to have. Another choice involves perspective - as one encounters pain along the path to their treasure they must choose whether they will view themselves as a victim or as an adventurer on a quest for their treasure. Individual perspective plays an important part of determining success or failure. Personally I have discovered that the early choices appear to be the most difficult as the first steps are always the hardest.
While reading The Alchemist one cannot help but visualize the continual expansion of consciousness experienced by Santiago as he travels the path to discover and live out his own Personal Legend. As he travels to foreign lands and discovers treasures, the most difficult obstacles are those blockages contained within himself. It’s as if he is traveling along a spiral path leading inward. As one set of challenges is encountered and subsequently overcome, a new set emerges. The confidence and experience gained from overcoming the preceding challenges are crucial for recognizing and meeting the next set. It is also interesting that as Santiago transcends one set of challenges, he can see the blocs within those he encounters who have yet to overcome those very same challenges.
The Universal Conspiracy
A recurring theme in The Alchemist is the idea is that if you authentically want something, the whole universe will conspire to help you in achieving that goal. Once you discover and begin travelling the path leading to your Personal Legend, the universe will actually organize itself to assist you in fulfilling your key role within evolution. You become a magnet that attracts the missing pieces.
It is as if the universe wants you to succeed, but only if you are traveling your unique destined path. Some examples that I have personally experienced are assistance arriving in the form of emergent insights, manifested physical objects, and people that suddenly show up within your life at just the right moment. It is as if the universe knows what you need in order to take the next step and will aid you in doing so. However, one must learn to recognize the appearance of such opportunities and maximize them.
The Language of the World
A final theme that we will discuss is the Language of the World. This is sometimes also referred to as the Language of God or the Language of the Universe. In any event, these expressions all attempt to express the concept that there is an underlying means that the universe (or God, Source, Creator, etc.) uses to communicate with all things within the universe. Once one learns the language, they can begin to recognize what is being communicated and take the necessary action.
One expression of the Language of the World that may aid in understanding is that of omens.
Omens are basically signs which are meant to gain your attention and prompt action. Omens exist all around us and you need to simply open your eyes to know the way forward. It is said within The Alchemist that God sends more omens when you are younger, but eventually the omens will decrease in frequency should they be too often ignored or the required corresponding action not be taken. Therefore it is important to be perceptive of your environment to determine if you are receiving any nudges or signs that may serve as an indication of the next step for achieving your Personal Legend.
An interesting passage concerning the importance of omens occurs within the dialogue of The Alchemist, specifically when the King advises Santiago on the pursuit of his treasure:
One of my favorite passages within The Alchemist highlights the importance, yet simplicity of this universal language:
It is also important that one pursue the path to their Personal Legend in a steadfast manner, but not impatiently. As with most things in life, a balance or equilibrium must be achieved:
So to benefit from the Language of the World one must be perceptive, possess courage, and achieve an equilibrium during their travels.
This article highlights just a few of the fascinating points within The Alchemist. In itself, The Alchemist is an engaging tale, but the real value is in the perception and resulting action that may result from reading this book. While reading The Alchemist you very well may discover your very own Personal Legend and take the next steps towards realizing your destiny.
The Alchemist may be purchased at the Celestial Source bookstore.