37 posts tagged “wisdom”

You are now known as “the magician of words”. Why your debut was at the age of forty? What was the incident that motivated you?

It’s true, it took me almost 40 years for me to become a writer. Before that I always dreamt of becoming a writer, but I never dared to take the necessary steps.

I did the pilgrimage to Santiago in 1986 but met my master in Amsterdam in 1982. He told me things back then that enabled my soul to slowly awaken and it was through a series of rituals that I was able, four years later, to embark on my pilgrimage.

Yet, it was only during my pilgrimage that it became increasingly apparent that I wasn’t happy and I had to do something about it – stop making excuses. I realized that you don’t have jump through a series of complicated hoops to achieve a goal. You can just look at a mountain and get a connection with God, you don’t have to understand the mountain to feel that.

When I first got back from the trip it was an anti-climax. I found it hard to acclimatize to my normal life and I was impatient to change my life immediately. But changes happen when you’re ready. It took a few months to realize that I must solely concentrate on writing a book, rather than trying to fill various roles as I had before. The pilgrimage was to be my subject and as I started I took my first step towards my dream.

www.paulocoelhoblog.com

By Paulo Coelho

A protestant priest, having started a family, no longer had any peace for his prayers. One night, when he knelt down, he was disturbed by the children in the living room.

"Have the children keep quiet!" he shouted.

His startled wife obeyed. Thereafter, whenever the priest came home, they all maintained silence during prayers. But he realized that God was no longer listening.

One night, during his prayers, he asked the Lord: "what is going on? I have the necessary peace, and I cannot pray!"

An angel replied: "He hears words, but no longer hears the laughter. He notices the devotion, but can no longer see the joy."

The priest stood and shouted once again to his wife: "Have the children play! They are part of prayer!"

And his words were heard by God once again.

www.paulocoelhoblog.com

The fifth cardinal virtue: Justice
According to the dictionary: from the Latin justitias: conformity with the law; act of giving to each what belongs to them; equity; group of magistrates and the people who work with them.
According to Jesus Christ: You have heard that they were told, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you not to resist injury, but if anyone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other to him too. (Matthew 5: 38-39)
At another moment of the Gospel: And Jesus went into the Temple of God and drove out all who were buying and selling things in it, and he upset the money-changers' tables and the pigeon-dealers' seats. (Matthew, 21:12)
According to Bankei: during one of Zen master Bankei's classes, a pupil was caught stealing. All the disciples demanded he be expelled, but Bankei did nothing. The following week, the pupil stole again. The others, irritated, demanded that the thief be punished.
"How wise you all are," said Bankei. "You know what is right and wrong, and you can study anywhere you like. But this poor brother – who does not know what is right or wrong – has only me to teach him. And I shall go on doing that." A flood of tears purified the thief's face; the desire to steal had disappeared.
Paulo Coelho
More on www.warriorofthelight.com
www.paulocoelhoblog.com

Dear Friends,
Today is the third episode of the Transiberian journey of Paulo Coelho.
Themes such as isolation, fear and struggle are discussed by Paulo.
Really inspiring…
Enjoy and share!
Aart
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRYQdznggWI

By Paulo Coelho (http://www.paulocoelhoblog.com)

A very wealthy man asked a Zen master for a text which would always remind him how happy he was with his family.

The Zen master took some parchment and, in beautiful calligraphy, wrote:

- The father dies. The son dies. The grandson dies.

- What? - said the furious rich man. - I asked you for something to inspire me, some teaching which might be respectfully contemplated by future generations, and you give me something as depressing and gloomy as these words?

- You asked me for something which would remind you of the happiness of living together with your family. If your son dies first, everyone will be devastated by the pain. If your grandson dies, it would be an unbearable experience.

“However, if your family disappears in the order which I placed on the paper, this is the natural course of life. Thus, although we all endure moments of pain, the generations will continue, and your legacy will be long-lasting.”

At the end of ten years of apprenticeship, Zenno thought he should be elevated to the category of Zen master. One rainy day, he went to visit the famous professor Nan-in.

Upon entering Nan-in’s house, the host asked him:

- Did you leave your shoes and umbrella outside?

- Of course - replied Zenno. - As good manners demand. I would do the same anywhere.

- Then tell me: did you place your umbrella to the right or the left of your shoes?

- I’ve no idea, master.

- Zen Buddhism is the art of total consciousness of what we do - said Nan-in. - The lack of attention to the smallest details can completely destroy a man’s life. A father who rushes out of the house, must never forget the dagger within his small son’s reach. A Samurai who doesn’t take care of his sword every day, will at some point find it is rusty, just when he most needs it. A young man who forgets to give his lover flowers, will end up losing her.

And Zenno understood that, although he knew the Zen techniques of the spiritual world, he had forgotten to apply them to the world of men.

Paulo Coelho
www.paulocoelhoblog.com

"In any activity, we have to know what to expect, the means to reach our objective, and the capacity we possess for the proposed task."

"The only one who can say that he has renounced the fruits is he who, being thus equipped, feels no desire for the results of the conquest, and remains absorbed in combat."

"You can renounce the fruit, but this renunciation does not mean indifference towards the result."

This strategy belongs to Mahatma Gandhi. The Warrior of Light listens with respect and does not allow himself to be confused by people who are incapable of reaching any result and always preach renunciation.

Paulo Coelho

The moment he starts walking, a warrior of the light recognizes the Way. Each rock, each bend welcomes him. He identifies with the mountains and brooks, sees a little of his soul in the plants, animals and birds of the field.

Then, by accepting help from God and God’s Signs, he allows his Personal Legend to guide him towards the duties his life has reserved for him.

Some nights he has nowhere to sleep, on others he suffers from insomnia. He discovers the suffering of certain lost illusions, and the despair of bestowing too much expectation on important moments.

“Such is the Way,” thinks the warrior. “It was I decided to take this route.”

All his power lies in this phrase. He chose the path along which he walks, and must not complain.

Paulo Coelho
www.paulocoelhoblog.com