After having heard a lot, and a high recommendation of my niece, who fell in love with this book, I read laboriously through the 167 pages of this best seller which sold 65 Million copies. I know, I will be cursed by several of Coelho's admirers for writing this blog.
Although, I do not have any pretension of knowing the subtleties of allegorical writing, ignorant of profound meanings of spiritualism, oblivious to the deeper meanings of this book; My simple mind found this book utterly lacking in some sensibilities that are considered as 'civility' in the society. I would not disagree with the axiomatic premise of "follow your own heart", but, follow it...with a fatalist attitude - Maktub??? No proponent of "free will" would subscribe to this oxymoronic, paradoxical, contradicting spiritual point of view. Its stultifyingly absurd story to be narrated as a fable, where all the events are serendipitous ("nature conspiring for our protogonist's success").
But now, having made such outrageous remarks, and having an opinion contrary to a zillion people; gets me in an awkward situation. Coelho alludes the following ( some observations that have made me feel queasy).....
Although, I do not have any pretension of knowing the subtleties of allegorical writing, ignorant of profound meanings of spiritualism, oblivious to the deeper meanings of this book; My simple mind found this book utterly lacking in some sensibilities that are considered as 'civility' in the society. I would not disagree with the axiomatic premise of "follow your own heart", but, follow it...with a fatalist attitude - Maktub??? No proponent of "free will" would subscribe to this oxymoronic, paradoxical, contradicting spiritual point of view. Its stultifyingly absurd story to be narrated as a fable, where all the events are serendipitous ("nature conspiring for our protogonist's success").
But now, having made such outrageous remarks, and having an opinion contrary to a zillion people; gets me in an awkward situation. Coelho alludes the following ( some observations that have made me feel queasy).....
1. Let me follow my 'personal legend" at the expense of love, to get my material benefit.....
2. Believe that somehow, if I wish for something and follow my dream, the universe will conspire me to succeed. I do believe, following your heart with a commitment for a noble purpose, will open the doors of opportunity......
3. Be a sexist. Let the woman I love sacrifice everything...while I pursure my own selfish goal!!
4. Alchemy??? Ability of a person to talk to fundamental elements of nature? No matter what the spiritual advancement of an individual, the fundamental nature of these elements can not be altered. Simply because, I believe, spiritualism is a matter of heart/mind and has a different dimension. The manifestation of it can not be in the physical plane......Even Jesus Christ and Mohammad Prophet can not lay claims to such miracles...and they did not!
5. Follow the signs?? How do we follow the signs? Big Spiritual humbug.
2. Believe that somehow, if I wish for something and follow my dream, the universe will conspire me to succeed. I do believe, following your heart with a commitment for a noble purpose, will open the doors of opportunity......
3. Be a sexist. Let the woman I love sacrifice everything...while I pursure my own selfish goal!!
4. Alchemy??? Ability of a person to talk to fundamental elements of nature? No matter what the spiritual advancement of an individual, the fundamental nature of these elements can not be altered. Simply because, I believe, spiritualism is a matter of heart/mind and has a different dimension. The manifestation of it can not be in the physical plane......Even Jesus Christ and Mohammad Prophet can not lay claims to such miracles...and they did not!
5. Follow the signs?? How do we follow the signs? Big Spiritual humbug.
6. Divisiveness......disregard the religious sentiments of arabian land to consume wine? It is utterly disrespectful, even it is done by an alchemist.
It baffles me to no end, about the popularity of this book. May be I am missing something....big time!! I felt, if someone needs spiritual enlightenment, study a Bible, a Koran or a Bhagavadgita......and not the escapist, psuedo-spiritual routes shown by new age book like this.
