“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

“The Alchemist” was the first book I picked up and read when I found myself exhausted with unexplained fatigue and allergies. It is a philosophical, mystical, mind-opening novel by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho. It follows the journey of a young Andalusian shepherd who dreams of finding a hidden treasure located near the Egyptian pyramids. Guided by recurring dreams and an un-ending desire for adventure, Santiago completes his quest and along the way acquires wisdom from various life lessons.

To start with, Santiago heads off alone in search of something that no one actually could prove exists. The courage alone is rare and inspiring in a character. He is mostly driven by a series of omens, which is pretty magical really.

The wisdom throughout the alchemist comes with his interactions with characters he meets along the way, like the King of Salem, who teaches him about the Soul of the World and the importance of following one’s heart. One quote really stood out to me (and it’s on my wall to this day, actually); 

“You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it’s better to listen to what it has to say.”

He then gets robbed and works at a crystal shop, where he learns all about how obstacles are placed in one’s way in order for them to build the strength to overcome them. On the other side of these obstacles is your ‘personal legend’ – your individual contribution to this world. This contribution comes with challenges, of course, so this book is all about trusting yourself and persevering no matter what. 

In the end, Santiago discovers that the treasure he was searching for was not a physical wealth but the spiritual journey and personal growth he experienced along the way. He learns that true treasure lies in understanding oneself and following one’s dreams. That’s all life is really about. 

“Why do we have to listen to our hearts?” the boy asked. “Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you will find your treasure.”

This is what I took away from the book, and applied to my own life as I pursued healing:

• Everyone has a “Personal Legend” or a destiny that they must pursue to achieve true fulfillment.
• We must learn to read and trust the signs the universe provides, which guide us on our journeys
• The process of alchemy (turning lead into gold), serves as a metaphor for personal transformation and finding one’s true self. This resonated with me deeply. 
• You want to follow your dreams, and listen to your heart. 

“People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.”

Hope you enjoy the summary of The Alchemist! I’ve only really touched the surface here, so if its the kind of story you love, you should absolutely read it.

Magical Mindset

If you’re looking for a magical journey of your own, I run an amazingly beautiful mindset course – Magical Mindset – on my self-coaching academy. It’s a deep dive into your true self, the practice of manifestation and aligning with your core desires and goals in life.

Hope you love it!

Jen x