Paulo Coelho was a patient in a mental institution, a drug addict, an ex-convict, and a drifter. But his novel The Alchemist became a best seller that sold 26 million copies in 56 languages across the globe. But what made his book touch the hearts of millions of readers? This is his story, a mini-biography.
eastwind journals
‘True Tales’ Series – Volume 14
Updated March 23, 2023 – Archives tr364
By Bernie V. Lopez, eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com
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Authors Note. Paulo Coelho inspired me, because, like him, I also took wings and roamed the Earth, drifting through Europe and North Africa for three years. Like him, I wrote a book (Wings and Wanderlust), which triggered a dramatic change in my life, from drifter and disgruntled computer analyst to journalist, blogger, documentary film producer, and healing ministry volunteer for Fr. Suarez and Sr. Raquel. For the sick, say a healing prayer with them, which have reached millions of viewers, some healed in cyberspace, links shown below.
Born into a prominent conservative Catholic family in Rio de Janeiro, Paulo Coelho was an introverted rebel who was committed into a mental institution by his parents at the age of 17. He tried to escape three times and was finally released at the age of 20. In the 60s, he dropped out of law school, picked up a backpack, took wings, and roamed South America, North Africa, Mexico, and Europe, where he started taking drugs.
He then became a songwriter, when he was influenced by magic and occultism from his music. In 1974, he was tortured by the military for his ‘subversive’ lyrics. He worked as an actor, theater director, and journalist before exploding into fame and fortune as a novelist.
The beginning of the explosion happened in 1986 when he walked 200 kilometers to Santiago de Compostela, a noted pilgrim’s road in Northern Spain. There, he saw the light, the same light that blinded St. Paul from a life of persecution to a life of service to the Lord. He had a spiritual awakening that would turn his world upside down, a free fall that would fulfill a long lost dream when he was 17. He began writing on top of his lucrative songwriting profession.
the more critics pounced on him
the more readers wanted to read his book
catapulting him into fame and fortune
The controversial The Alchemist was first published by a small Brazilian firm, then headed for the stratosphere when it was picked up in 1994 by a titan in the publishing industry, Harper Collins (since 1817, with offices across the world). When it came out, he was the object of biased press criticism from all sides. They pounced on his being a former drug user and ‘subversive’ ex-convict. Society sometimes has a way of condemning then extolling great men. His ‘subversive’ ideas were in reality bits of wisdom which people never knew in their frenzied world. He touched and inspired his millions of readers with a simple story.
But what was in the book by a deranged drug-prone ex-convict that fascinated readers? What was its mystique that awed the world? The story was simple but the spirituality profound. It revolved around a peasant shepherd boy, Santiago, who had a dream where, in his travels, he encounters people and places which helped him fulfill his dream. That was the simple story. Love is the energy behind every dream.
Paulo wrote, “We all need to be aware of our personal calling.” He said that we all have a path that God chose for us here on Earth. Not all have the courage to confront one’s dream. The obstacles can be immense but love is the stimulus, the energy. We have to overcome the fear of failure, the same fear of a baby eagle during its first flight, when he either soars or he dies in a matter of seconds. Paolo knew a lot about failure. He was an ‘expert’ in it.
His biography was made into a movie in 2014 – The Pilgrim – Story of Paulo Coelho. Film magazine Screen International wrote, “The film tells the story of a man who has a dream. It’s a little like Alice in Wonderland – he’s someone who is too big for his house.”
Author’s book. At age 26, I (eastwind) drifted through Europe, hitchhiking 25,000 kilometers for three years non-stop. I wrote a book on my adventures, Wings and Wanderlust. I learned deep insights that radically changed my view of life, like all of a sudden, for example, for me – not planning is a form of planning, chaos can induce harmony, love and hate are extremely contagious, spirit, the nearness of death forces us to see life with a radical ‘cosmic’ perspective. Confusion is the beginning of understanding. Pain is the beginning of spiritual strength. Pain is a tool for spiritual strength and growth. My intent is ideas from experience that give ways to catch the wind. More about the book (get a copy) = https://eastwindjournals.com/2023/02/25/more-about-the-book-wings-and-wanderlust/.
Cover of author’s book.
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Read a related story inspired by Paulo Coelho’s life = https://eastwindjournals.com/2024/03/11/from-drug-addict-to-best-seller-novelist-46/
More Inspirational Articles – eastwindjournals.com.
FOR THOSE WHO NEED HEALING, spiritual or physical (depression, anxiety, loneliness, terminal cancer, covid, diabetes, etc.) – say an online healing prayer with one or both healers below. Terminal patients have been healed in cyberspace. All you need is to have faith and to ask the Lord –
1) Father Fernando Suarez – www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UP3LHBgtIc.
2) Sr. Raquel Reodica, RVM – www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAZcwNimBSg
Download free e-book ‘Healing Stories of Sr. Raquel’ at eastwindjournals.com/2021/08/13/healing-stories-of-sr-raquel-e-book-free-download/).
Author’s Credentials. Blogger – ex-Columnist (Inquirer) – Healing Ministry – ex-Professor (Ateneo University) – Documentary Producer-Director (freelance, ex-ABS-CBN, ex-TVS Tokyo) – ex-Broadcaster (Radio Veritas) – Facebook “Bernie V. Lopez Eastwind” / Pages “Eastwind Journeys and Journals” and “Mary Queen of Peace”.
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