I’m sharing a few thoughts on The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

So, this is a revisit for me. The other day, during a conversation with a friend, he mentioned The Alchemist. I thought, “You know what? I think I revisited that recently.” And indeed, I did. So, just sharing a few thoughts on the book. Also, I discussed it with another friend to whom I lent a copy, and she read it.

Essentially, a few lessons I believe the book imparts include: first, pursuing your personal legend—chasing your dreams and aspirations, learning to interpret the signs. What I mean by signs, as the book terms them omens, is more of a metaphysical, spiritual concept. Life tends to drop hints and signals indicating the path one should take, so being adept at reading them is crucial.

Once you embark on your personal legend, the universe aligns to assist you in achieving your goals. However, this doesn’t exempt you from facing setbacks; life will undoubtedly test you along the way. There was another lesson, but it escapes me at the moment. Yet, one final aspect that might be perplexing is: towards the end of the book, the protagonist discovers that the treasure he sought was right where he lived. So, how do you interpret that? What’s the significance? Does it imply that everything you need is within reach at home?

Perhaps, everything you need is already within you, whether you’re aware of it or not. The protagonist embarked on his journey to find his personal treasure, only to realize it was at home all along. So, rather than suggesting that one shouldn’t pursue dreams, it’s more about being content with where you are in life. While that’s one interpretation, I lean towards another: everything essential for success, your treasure, is within your grasp, but it requires some excavation. In the book, the protagonist had to dig up the treasure. So, everything you need is already within reach; you just need to unearth it.

Original draft written in October 2019