Book Review: The Alchemist

The Alchemist is a light book to read about purpose of life and spiritual told as an adventure story. I read this during my Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit trip, and it’s a good and interesting read.

Different people might have different interpretation and interest about the book, but I think it is mostly about listening to our heart to decide on what to do with our life. The story revolved around a boy who don’t want to be a farmer like his father, and decide to be a Sheppard to travel to places. Along his travel he met with people and discover about his destiny (or being told about his destiny), and he decide to go for it. He sell all his goats (stop being a Sheppard) and embark on his journey. In between there are must doubt and challenges, and quite a few setbacks and interesting encounter. Every time he is in doubt, he will have to listen to his heart and to the world again; or pick up one of his two stone to help him decide. He made money being a jeweler seller, offered to be councilor of the oasis, being rob and hit and almost killed, travel a few thousands mile only to realize what he is looking for is actually back where he started.

I guess the destination or the end is not really the main point, but his journey: the people he met, the lesson he learn, the adventure he had and the decisions he made make him who he is at the end. Though he is hunting a treasure as part of his “destiny”, but the treasure seems to be the least important part of his journey.

I guess we always wonder what we should do with our life: what should we work as, who is our soul mate, what is our destiny and should we listen to our heart (our inner desire). In the pursuit of money for a more comfortable life, we may have to let go many things; perhaps we should ponder is there a slightly better way to live our life besides following the majority or social norm. It might not be easy or clear; but is the will to explore slightly further and perhaps embark on an adventure of a lifetime.

How would our life be if we continue what we are doing today? Is there a need for change? How can we change? A little pondering and a bit of action could go a long way; it’s inaction and giving up that I am worry about.