Ten Lessons from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Blog | Book review – The Alchemist (William Kadi, Chevening Scholar 2022/2023, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK).

Ten Lessons from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

1. Follow your dreams.

The main message of The Alchemist is that we should follow our dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem. Santiago, the protagonist, dreams of finding treasure buried near the Pyramids of Egypt. He leaves his home in Spain and travels to Egypt; despite the obstacles he faces along the way. In the end, he finds the treasure, but more importantly, he learns that the journey is more important than the destination.

2. Listen to your heart.

The Alchemist teaches us to listen to our hearts and follow our intuition. Santiago has a recurring dream about finding treasure near the Pyramids. He knows that this is something he is meant to do, even though it seems crazy. He follows his heart and eventually finds the treasure.

3. Trust in the universe.

The Alchemist teaches us to trust in the universe and believe that everything happens for a reason. Santiago meets many people along his journey who help him along the way. He also encounters challenges that he must overcome. However, he never gives up and always believes that he is on the right path.

4. Embrace the journey, not just the destination.

The Alchemist teaches us to appreciate the journey, not just the destination. Santiago learns a lot about himself and the world along his journey. He also meets many interesting people and has many adventures. He realizes that the journey is just as important as the destination.

5. Don't be afraid to take risks.

The Alchemist teaches us not to be afraid to take risks. Santiago leaves his home and travels to Egypt, even though he doesn't know what he will find there. He also takes risks along the way, such as trusting a stranger to help him find the treasure. He learns that taking risks is often necessary to achieve our dreams.

6. Believe in yourself.

The Alchemist teaches us to believe in ourselves and our abilities. Santiago has many doubts along his journey, but he never gives up on himself. He believes that he can find the treasure and he eventually do.

7. Learn to listen to the language of the universe.

The Alchemist teaches us to learn to listen to the language of the universe. Santiago sees a recurring symbol of an old king along his journey. He eventually learns that this symbol is a message from the universe, telling him to follow his dreams.

8. Don't give up on your dreams.

The Alchemist teaches us not to give up on our dreams, no matter how difficult they may seem. Santiago faces many challenges along his journey, but he never gives up. He knows that he is meant to find the treasure and he eventually does.

9. Be open to change.

The Alchemist teaches us to be open to change. Santiago's journey takes him to many different places, and he meets many different people. He learns to adapt to change, and he eventually finds the treasure.

10. Follow your heart and you will find your treasure.

The Alchemist teaches us that if we follow our hearts, we will find our treasure. Santiago follows his heart, and he eventually finds the treasure he has been searching for.

These are just a few of the many lessons that can be learned from The Alchemist. If you read this book, I am sure you will find many other lessons that resonate with you.

The Alchemist (Perennial Classics): Amazon.co.uk: Coelho, Paulo: 9780062315007: Books