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Like the Flowing River is an intimate collection of Paulo Coelho's reflections and short stories, written from 1998 to 2005. these are powerful tales of living and dying, of destiny and choice, of love lost and found. Sometimes humourous, sometimes serious, but always profound, this book, like all of Coelho's work, explores what it means to be truly alive.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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About the author
Paulo Coelho
435 books139k followersThe Brazilian author PAULO COELHO was born in 1947 in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Before dedicating his life completely to literature, he worked as theatre director and actor, lyricist and journalist. In 1986, PAULO COELHO did the pilgrimage to Saint James of Compostella, an experience later to be documented in his book The Pilgrimage. In the following year, COELHO published The Alchemist. Slow initial sales convinced his first publisher to drop the novel, but it went on to become one of the best selling Brazilian books of all time. Other titles include Brida (1990), The Valkyries (1992), By the river Piedra I sat Down and Wept (1994), the collection of his best columns published in the Brazilian newspaper Folha de São Paulo entitle Maktub (1994), the compilation of texts Phrases (1995), The Fifth Mountain (1996), Manual of a Warrior of Light (1997), Veronika decides to die (1998), The Devil and Miss Prym (2000), the compilation of traditional tales in Stories for parents, children and grandchildren (2001), Eleven Minutes (2003), The Zahir (2005), The Witch of Portobello (2006) and Winner Stands Alone (to be released in 2009). During the months of March, April, May and June 2006, Paulo Coelho traveled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his pilgrimage to Saint James of Compostella in 1986. He also held surprise book signings - announced one day in advance - in some cities along the way, to have a chance to meet his readers. In ninety days of pilgrimage the author traveled around the globe and took the famous Transiberrian train that took him to Vladivostok. During this experience Paulo Coelho launched his blog Walking the Path - The Pilgrimage in order to share with his readers his impressions. Since this first blog Paulo Coelho has expanded his presence in the internet with his daily blogs in Wordpress, Myspace & Facebook. He is equally present in media sharing sites such as Youtube and Flickr, offering on a regular basis not only texts but also videos and pictures to his readers. From this intensive interest and use of the Internet sprang his bold new project: The Experimental Witch where he invites his readers to adapt to the screen his book The Witch of Portobello. Indeed Paulo Coelho is a firm believer of Internet as a new media and is the first Best-selling author to actively support online free distribution of his work.
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June 12, 2011
مرّ وقتٌ طويل .. منذ وقعت عيناي على هذا الكتاب ..
اليوم .. قلّبتُ صفحاته .. وقفتُ برهة بين دفتيه .. اطلعتُ على أيامي معه وثارت في نفسي أشجان وأحزان ..
هذا الكتاب .. هو كالدليل .. يضيء في قلبك نور .. ويذكي في نفسك أشياء رائعة وراقية ..
عبارة عن مجموعة من النصوص .. تقرؤها .. مرة .. مرتين .. عشر .. وفي كل مرة تحس أن المكان ينير ويشع .. وفي كل مرة تحس في قلبك الراحة وتقر عينك وتبرد ..
باولو كويلو في هذه التحفة الفنية الراقية .. استطاع أن يتوغل نحو الأعماق ويسبرها ويكتشف أسراراً خطيرة في شخصية الإنسان المعطاء .. الذي يعطي خيراً كالنهر .. الذي يجري دون توّقف ..
وكعادته باولو .. يسحرك حتى النهاية فلا تشعر بمضي الوقت وأنت بين كفيه ..
لا أنصح فقط .. بل أقول أن من لم يحب باولو ولم يقرأ هذا الكتاب .. فإنه لم يكتشف إلا جزءاً بسيطاً من شخصيته ..
دعوني أقتبس لكم بعضاً من جمالياته الفاتنة :
* الأمل دائم .. ما دامت الحياة !
* قد تكون أحلامي حماقات .. ولكن لن أخاطر بعدم متابعتها !
* غالباً ما يتم الخلط بين الأناقة والسطحية ، والموضة وغياب العمق !
* المعجزة .. هي ما يملأ قلبنا سلاماً ) تعريف كويلو للمعجزة ) !
* أحياناً يطلب منا العالم أن نحارب ونكافح من أجل أمور لا نعرفها ولأسباب لن نعرفها أبداً ! ) أعجبتني كثيراً )
* إن كل فرصة للتغيير .. هي فرصة لتغيير العالم !
ولكم فائق تقديري واحترامي
م.محمد الصالح
اليوم .. قلّبتُ صفحاته .. وقفتُ برهة بين دفتيه .. اطلعتُ على أيامي معه وثارت في نفسي أشجان وأحزان ..
هذا الكتاب .. هو كالدليل .. يضيء في قلبك نور .. ويذكي في نفسك أشياء رائعة وراقية ..
عبارة عن مجموعة من النصوص .. تقرؤها .. مرة .. مرتين .. عشر .. وفي كل مرة تحس أن المكان ينير ويشع .. وفي كل مرة تحس في قلبك الراحة وتقر عينك وتبرد ..
باولو كويلو في هذه التحفة الفنية الراقية .. استطاع أن يتوغل نحو الأعماق ويسبرها ويكتشف أسراراً خطيرة في شخصية الإنسان المعطاء .. الذي يعطي خيراً كالنهر .. الذي يجري دون توّقف ..
وكعادته باولو .. يسحرك حتى النهاية فلا تشعر بمضي الوقت وأنت بين كفيه ..
لا أنصح فقط .. بل أقول أن من لم يحب باولو ولم يقرأ هذا الكتاب .. فإنه لم يكتشف إلا جزءاً بسيطاً من شخصيته ..
دعوني أقتبس لكم بعضاً من جمالياته الفاتنة :
* الأمل دائم .. ما دامت الحياة !
* قد تكون أحلامي حماقات .. ولكن لن أخاطر بعدم متابعتها !
* غالباً ما يتم الخلط بين الأناقة والسطحية ، والموضة وغياب العمق !
* المعجزة .. هي ما يملأ قلبنا سلاماً ) تعريف كويلو للمعجزة ) !
* أحياناً يطلب منا العالم أن نحارب ونكافح من أجل أمور لا نعرفها ولأسباب لن نعرفها أبداً ! ) أعجبتني كثيراً )
* إن كل فرصة للتغيير .. هي فرصة لتغيير العالم !
ولكم فائق تقديري واحترامي
م.محمد الصالح
July 18, 2024
4.0 ⭐️
GENRE - NON FICTION
The book is about thoughts and reflections of Author Paulo Coelho from “The Alchemist” fame.
He in this book has brought together a collection of his personal life experiences in the form of short stories as well as his articles published in various newspapers around the world.
A pretty smooth ready which can be definitively recommended to new readers as well those who loved “The Alchemists” and are looking to explore more works of Mr. Paulo Coelho.
Thank you 🙏 ☺️ 🍻
GENRE - NON FICTION
The book is about thoughts and reflections of Author Paulo Coelho from “The Alchemist” fame.
He in this book has brought together a collection of his personal life experiences in the form of short stories as well as his articles published in various newspapers around the world.
A pretty smooth ready which can be definitively recommended to new readers as well those who loved “The Alchemists” and are looking to explore more works of Mr. Paulo Coelho.
Thank you 🙏 ☺️ 🍻
February 21, 2017
لحظة وجدت كل الإجابات ، تبدلّت كل الأسئلة !! "
/
" حمدت الله لأنه وهبني الوعي لأفهم أن ما كان يجب أن يحدث قد حدث ،
ولم يحدث شئ "
/
سأل رجل ما رجل حكيم :
(( أود أن أعرف ماهو المضحك لدى الكائنات البشرية ))...
فقال الحكيم : إنهم يفكرون دائما بعكس مالديهم .
وهم مستعجلون للكبر, ثم يتحسرون على طفولتهم الضائعة.
يفقدون صحتهم لكي يملكوا المال ..
ثم يفقدون مالهم من أجل امتلاك الصحة ...
يفكرون بكثير من القلق في المستقبل
بحيث أنهم ينسون الحاضر..
و هكذا فإنهم لا يعيشون حاضرهم ولا مستقبلهم
يعيشون كما لو أنهم لم يموتوا أبدا ..
ويموتون كما أنهم لو يعيشون أبدا
!
******************
باولو كويلو قدم أفكاراً رائعة في هذا الكتاب
في بضع مواقف بسيطة يكشف لك عن عالم خفي حولك وداخلك
قد لا تنتبه له وأنت في خضم مشاكلك
فأنت هو أنت ، في جميع الحالات ، ولكنك لا تنتبه لنفسك ولا تحلل ذاتك
ولكن هذا الكتاب يُتيح لك أن تري الصورة من بعيد وأنت داخلها ،
ولن تراها إلا إذا تأملت هذه النصوص الفلسفية الهادئة
الكتاب أولاً ليس كبيراً ، وليس صعباً ، وليس شعراً ،
ولكنه مواقف بسيطة مر بها الكاتب في رحلاته ،
بعض منها حدث معه شخصياً ، وبعض آخر حدث أمامه
وستجد نفسك في هذه المواقف ، وسيعطيك وجهة نظر مختلفة تماما للتعامل معها
والتعامل مع مشاكلك أنت أيضاً
حقا ..هذا الكتاب سيُغيرك تماما
January 19, 2010
There are a lot of insights of human life that I can learn from this amazing book...I love the way he wrote all of the stories which were contained of enchanting messages for anyone who read it, especially me. It helps me smile, wrinkle my eye brows whenever I didn't get the point yet of one story, helps me passing my day, even when I got stuck by the traffic jam.
In short, I must say that this book is loveable...and I love it.
In short, I must say that this book is loveable...and I love it.
November 20, 2017
"Like a flowing river" is an ode to a better way of living. Each and every chapter shows the reader a different perspective to life, the Coelho way. Absolutely spiritual and poetic by a gifted storyteller, and an amazing life coach. You have to credit the translator "Margaret Jull Costa", who is doing an incredible job. Look out for Coelho's short story on the same, though the name of the translator is not found........ Have I just given a spoiler? This book contains no scope for spoilers........Every story is short but crisp, and inspirational. Don't just mistake this for a book of short stories.
December 4, 2014
Oh, why do I even bother anymore with Coelho? His books are easy (read: shallow) reads but leave a bad aftertaste, much like how I feel after I'm done bingeing on junk food. Write about spirituality in a stripped, simplified way, sprinkle in some pseudo-intellectualism and voila - you get a world famous author with little substance. Coelho should be taught two things: one is that nuanced writing is a much better approach in philosophizing, and two, it would do the readers good if he could tone down his ego a bit. There's something really bothersome about a writer who keeps wanting to show how enlightened he is. I hope I don't forget that and pick up another one of his work after this.
February 1, 2018
يجب على الإنسان أن يناضل من أجل أحلامه ولكن يجب أن يعرف
أيضا أن بعض الطرق عندما تبدو مستحيلة فمن الأفضل الاحتفاظ
بالطاقة من أجل السير في طرق أخرى
كن كالنهر صافيا مهما خالطت من أرواح وليجري على لسانك دوما
عذب الكلام .. حافظ على نقاء روحك وأسعى نحو أهدافك وأحلامك دون
ملل ويأس دون توقف.. كن دوما كالنهر بعطائه,صفائه وإصراره
باولو في هذه النصوص الملهمة والرائعة يسكب جل خبراته وتجاربه بالحياة
ويشاركنا بعض الدروس التي تعلمها سواء من خلال قصص عاشها
أو من قصص صادفته أثناء رحلة حياته أو سمع عنها
كتاب عميق غني بالحكمة يستحق القراءة والإعادة
يجب أن نمتلك الحب في أرواحنا دائما عندما نتصرف وعندما لا نتصرف
يجب أن نمسك الهاتف ونقول كلمة رقيقة كنا قد أجلناها إلى وقت لاحق
يجب أن نفتح أبوابنا ونسمح بالدخول إلى من هو بحاجة إلى مساعدتنا
3.5
أيضا أن بعض الطرق عندما تبدو مستحيلة فمن الأفضل الاحتفاظ
بالطاقة من أجل السير في طرق أخرى
كن كالنهر صافيا مهما خالطت من أرواح وليجري على لسانك دوما
عذب الكلام .. حافظ على نقاء روحك وأسعى نحو أهدافك وأحلامك دون
ملل ويأس دون توقف.. كن دوما كالنهر بعطائه,صفائه وإصراره
باولو في هذه النصوص الملهمة والرائعة يسكب جل خبراته وتجاربه بالحياة
ويشاركنا بعض الدروس التي تعلمها سواء من خلال قصص عاشها
أو من قصص صادفته أثناء رحلة حياته أو سمع عنها
كتاب عميق غني بالحكمة يستحق القراءة والإعادة
يجب أن نمتلك الحب في أرواحنا دائما عندما نتصرف وعندما لا نتصرف
يجب أن نمسك الهاتف ونقول كلمة رقيقة كنا قد أجلناها إلى وقت لاحق
يجب أن نفتح أبوابنا ونسمح بالدخول إلى من هو بحاجة إلى مساعدتنا
3.5
March 21, 2016
I will admit one thing,if not for my brother , i would not have read this book or for the matter any books of his.
My friends used to recommend his books, but i had always stayed away from his books. From what i have heard, his books always sounded Philosophical, which for me is the other name for Boring . I have never been into books of that category. I stay away from Self Help books. I tried reading it once since an avid reader should read all types of Genre. But sadly , it resulted in a "reading slump" phase. From that time on wards, i have strongly stayed away from those kind of books.
My brother unfortunately for him, told me that he had come across many novels in his University Library . My university, on the other hand only had books related to engineering and stuffs like that . My brother took the first book , which caught his eye from the library to stop my incessant pestering .Guess what , he took a book which i was least likely to read. I was thinking whether to waste my time reading this book ,coz i know i would be dropping this book at some point of time.
Anyway i couldn't see the book being abandoned since my brother went all the way to place which he rarely goes,for me. Guess what , I finished reading it . I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I am in short of words to express how i felt while reading it . You look at the world in a different light once you start reading this book . Now , i sound so philosophical . But clearly Paulo Coleho expresses it in a way which no one ever has .He just puts things differently.
This particular book of his is a collection of Short stories of his life.
I am a religious person and this one particular story lingered in my mind for a long time .
An old illiterate Arab used to pray with such fervor each night that the wealthy owner of the great caravan decided to summon him so as to talk to him.
“Why do you pray with such devotion? How do you know God exists when you don’t even know how to read?”
“I do know, sir. I can read everything that the Great Celestial Father writes.”
“But how?”
The humble servant explained:
“When you receive a letter from someone far away, how do you recognize the writer?”
“By the handwriting.”
“When you receive a jewel, how do you know who made it?”
“By the goldsmith’s mark.”
“When you hear animals moving about near the tent, how do you know if it was a sheep or a horse or an ox?”
“By its footprints,” replied the owner, surprised at all these questions.
The old man invited him to come outside with him and showed him the sky.
“Neither the things written up there nor the desert down below could have been made or written by the hand of man.”
This is just one story .This book is packed with such stories like this . All different from one another. If you like this one story, then read this book . Paulo is a wise person and it is known in the stories he shares with us .
My friends used to recommend his books, but i had always stayed away from his books. From what i have heard, his books always sounded Philosophical, which for me is the other name for Boring . I have never been into books of that category. I stay away from Self Help books. I tried reading it once since an avid reader should read all types of Genre. But sadly , it resulted in a "reading slump" phase. From that time on wards, i have strongly stayed away from those kind of books.
My brother unfortunately for him, told me that he had come across many novels in his University Library . My university, on the other hand only had books related to engineering and stuffs like that . My brother took the first book , which caught his eye from the library to stop my incessant pestering .Guess what , he took a book which i was least likely to read. I was thinking whether to waste my time reading this book ,coz i know i would be dropping this book at some point of time.
Anyway i couldn't see the book being abandoned since my brother went all the way to place which he rarely goes,for me. Guess what , I finished reading it . I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I am in short of words to express how i felt while reading it . You look at the world in a different light once you start reading this book . Now , i sound so philosophical . But clearly Paulo Coleho expresses it in a way which no one ever has .He just puts things differently.
This particular book of his is a collection of Short stories of his life.
I am a religious person and this one particular story lingered in my mind for a long time .
An old illiterate Arab used to pray with such fervor each night that the wealthy owner of the great caravan decided to summon him so as to talk to him.
“Why do you pray with such devotion? How do you know God exists when you don’t even know how to read?”
“I do know, sir. I can read everything that the Great Celestial Father writes.”
“But how?”
The humble servant explained:
“When you receive a letter from someone far away, how do you recognize the writer?”
“By the handwriting.”
“When you receive a jewel, how do you know who made it?”
“By the goldsmith’s mark.”
“When you hear animals moving about near the tent, how do you know if it was a sheep or a horse or an ox?”
“By its footprints,” replied the owner, surprised at all these questions.
The old man invited him to come outside with him and showed him the sky.
“Neither the things written up there nor the desert down below could have been made or written by the hand of man.”
This is just one story .This book is packed with such stories like this . All different from one another. If you like this one story, then read this book . Paulo is a wise person and it is known in the stories he shares with us .
June 8, 2015
Book: "Hey, Reader, you know what?"
Reader: "No, what?"
Book: "Everyone surely loves God!"
Reader: "Not me. Shut up and do something interesting."
Book: "What if I tell you stories about the essence of life?"
Reader: "Sounds alright."
Book: "A and B had an argument and stopped talking to each other. A died suddenly. B was sad because he had never apologised to A. Not talking to each other is very sad. Whaddaya think? :D"
Reader: "I think you're as subtle as an atomic bomb."
Book: *weeps* "You no me likey. I are sad. ;___;"
Reader: "Okay, okay, stop crying! Just try again, will you?"
Book: ^___^ "Well, you should be like a pencil, because a pencil is like X and like Y and that are good qualities in a person!"
Reader: "... try again."
Book: ó___ò "Erm, what about... there was this man who died but that was many, many years ago and no one ever looked for him and it's very bad not to be missed!"
Reader: "I'd never have guessed..."
Book: "Don't worry, that's what I'm here for! :D"
Reader: "I was being ironic."
Book: *weeps* T_T
Reader: "Fine, fine, fine. You got something else?"
Book: "If you are sad you need to remind yourself of X and Y and that will make you happy again! And always tell yourself it's going to be good so you won't lose hope!"
Reader: "What if someone has a depression?"
Book: "A what?"
Reader: "... forget it. Anything else?"
Book: "I have pretty stories about life and things you should think of which others have told me!" *tells stories*
Reader: "At least something endurable..."
Book: "Y u no me likey?! Dx"
Reader: "Because, thanks to you, I now have a headache. Go away."
Book: "I'll tell that all to my author and he will be very unhappy about it!" *runs away crying*
Reader: "I will survive! I will survive! Now I still have a life to give despite this book that's filled with filth, and I'll survive!" *dances off of stage*
Reader: "No, what?"
Book: "Everyone surely loves God!"
Reader: "Not me. Shut up and do something interesting."
Book: "What if I tell you stories about the essence of life?"
Reader: "Sounds alright."
Book: "A and B had an argument and stopped talking to each other. A died suddenly. B was sad because he had never apologised to A. Not talking to each other is very sad. Whaddaya think? :D"
Reader: "I think you're as subtle as an atomic bomb."
Book: *weeps* "You no me likey. I are sad. ;___;"
Reader: "Okay, okay, stop crying! Just try again, will you?"
Book: ^___^ "Well, you should be like a pencil, because a pencil is like X and like Y and that are good qualities in a person!"
Reader: "... try again."
Book: ó___ò "Erm, what about... there was this man who died but that was many, many years ago and no one ever looked for him and it's very bad not to be missed!"
Reader: "I'd never have guessed..."
Book: "Don't worry, that's what I'm here for! :D"
Reader: "I was being ironic."
Book: *weeps* T_T
Reader: "Fine, fine, fine. You got something else?"
Book: "If you are sad you need to remind yourself of X and Y and that will make you happy again! And always tell yourself it's going to be good so you won't lose hope!"
Reader: "What if someone has a depression?"
Book: "A what?"
Reader: "... forget it. Anything else?"
Book: "I have pretty stories about life and things you should think of which others have told me!" *tells stories*
Reader: "At least something endurable..."
Book: "Y u no me likey?! Dx"
Reader: "Because, thanks to you, I now have a headache. Go away."
Book: "I'll tell that all to my author and he will be very unhappy about it!" *runs away crying*
Reader: "I will survive! I will survive! Now I still have a life to give despite this book that's filled with filth, and I'll survive!" *dances off of stage*
January 4, 2013
Each Christmas, we have an exchange of gifts. The actual exchange of gifts take place during the annual Christmas party. Anyway, all employees were asked to create a *wish list*. The wish list contained all (or some) of the things that we would like to receive for Christmas. Last Christmas (2011), I was collecting Nicholas Sparks' books. This Christmas (2012), I was collecting Paulo Coelho books. So, naturally, I wrote down *Paulo Coelho books* on my wish list. To cut the story short, I received the book 'Like the Flowing River'.
I am not a huge fan of short stories. Yet, like only Paulo Coelho could, he transported me to different worlds with an open mind and an open heart. Some of the compilations of thoughts that struck me the most was 'Music in the Chapel', 'Genghis Khan and his Falcon', 'The Dead Man Wore Pajamas' and 'Norma and the Good Things'. In lieu with the latter story, I have decided to make my own planner marked with wonderful inventions and happenings that ought to be celebrated. :)
If you would like to take a break from all of the novels and fiction that you read, you will find 'Like the Flowing River' very refreshing.
I am not a huge fan of short stories. Yet, like only Paulo Coelho could, he transported me to different worlds with an open mind and an open heart. Some of the compilations of thoughts that struck me the most was 'Music in the Chapel', 'Genghis Khan and his Falcon', 'The Dead Man Wore Pajamas' and 'Norma and the Good Things'. In lieu with the latter story, I have decided to make my own planner marked with wonderful inventions and happenings that ought to be celebrated. :)
If you would like to take a break from all of the novels and fiction that you read, you will find 'Like the Flowing River' very refreshing.
June 4, 2021
24/10/2011 (*)
Trattasi di raccolta di racconti, di argomento vario, perlopiù resoconti di vita vissuta. L'impatto è terrificante, agghiacciante, incommentabile.
Per dare un'idea, riassumo la classica tipologia di racconto: al buon Coelho succede qualcosa, anche qualcosa di assolutamente insignificante, in un luogo qualunque del mondo (perchè, sapete, lui è uno scrittore importante, viaggia molto, conosce la principessa di Norvegia e Micheal Douglas!), a Pizzighettone come a Timbuctu, si sofferma sulla cosa, ci riflette e ne trae ispirazione per un raccontino di mezza pagina in cui la morale finale è qualcosa che Esopo in confronto è Aristotele; qualcosa del tipo:
"In verità, in verità vi dico che l'acqua calda è assai utile, perché può alleviare le fatiche se vi ci immergete e può cuocere la pasta se ce la buttate dentro ma, nel contempo, se la usate con sbadataggine, può essere assai pericolosa e vi può ustionare."
Ovvero, il nulla moltiplicato per l'ovvio e elevato al quadrato.
Parto dalla considerazione che me l'hanno regalato. Non nel senso che sia stato un bel regalo - anzi - ma semplicemente che almeno non l'ho pagato. Il fatto poi che sia un regalo discredita probabilmente la mia intelligenza e la mia cultura, dato che il donatore, nel pur generoso atto, ha considerato questo libro buono per me.
Io di Coelho ho altri libri, ne ho letti aluni anni e anni fa, da giovanissimo, e francamente non ne ricordo bene i contenuti (tranne de L'Alchimista, che mi piacque abbastanza). Tuttavia questo "libro", fatto da raccontini brevissimi\sensazioni\esperienze di viaggio\folgorazioni filosofiche estemporanee m'ha lasciato di stucco. Sì, ci sono alcuni racconti carini (un 5%), altri fanno riflettere (un altro 5%) ma la maggior parte sono di un'inutilità, di una pochezza imbarazzante...pensieri che chiunque ha fatto una volta nella vita anche senza essere uno scrittore e che non ha sentito il bisogno di pubblicare. Poi, tutto questo ottimismo - fra discorsi deliranti che parlano di guerrieri della luce (sic) e leggenda personale- e questa visione delle cose al miele alla lunga fanno innervosire...sarà che sono un pessimista e che vedo il mondo per quello che è, ma qui si oltrepassano i limiti dell'ingenuità per entrare nei territori della più bieca e stupida banalità.
E poi, ma quanta paraculaggine! Sembra di leggere un lungo discorso-sermone unidirezionale fra il gran Maestro (nonchè uno dei più letti, famosi, sinceri scrittori del mondo, come il buon PC puntualmente -e modestamente- ci ricorda a intervalli regolari) e i suoi adepti, pronti a bersi qualunque cosa Egli dica e a stupirsi della sua originalità, della profondità dei concetti, etc etc etc
Per chiudere, un modesto consiglio all'editore da questo apprendista-guerriero-della-luce: cambiate titolo! Non più SONO COME IL FIUME CHE SCORRE (chè il vecchio filosofo di Efeso si sta rigirando nella tomba come una trottola) ma IPSE DIXIT. Così farete felici l'ego dell'autore, l'Universo (che con Lui, come si sa, è in grande armonia), gli stuoli di fans e, soprattutto, le legioni di detrattori che alla vista della frase e della sua foto in copertina, gireranno alla larga come mosche dall'insetticida.
Trattasi di raccolta di racconti, di argomento vario, perlopiù resoconti di vita vissuta. L'impatto è terrificante, agghiacciante, incommentabile.
Per dare un'idea, riassumo la classica tipologia di racconto: al buon Coelho succede qualcosa, anche qualcosa di assolutamente insignificante, in un luogo qualunque del mondo (perchè, sapete, lui è uno scrittore importante, viaggia molto, conosce la principessa di Norvegia e Micheal Douglas!), a Pizzighettone come a Timbuctu, si sofferma sulla cosa, ci riflette e ne trae ispirazione per un raccontino di mezza pagina in cui la morale finale è qualcosa che Esopo in confronto è Aristotele; qualcosa del tipo:
"In verità, in verità vi dico che l'acqua calda è assai utile, perché può alleviare le fatiche se vi ci immergete e può cuocere la pasta se ce la buttate dentro ma, nel contempo, se la usate con sbadataggine, può essere assai pericolosa e vi può ustionare."
Ovvero, il nulla moltiplicato per l'ovvio e elevato al quadrato.
Parto dalla considerazione che me l'hanno regalato. Non nel senso che sia stato un bel regalo - anzi - ma semplicemente che almeno non l'ho pagato. Il fatto poi che sia un regalo discredita probabilmente la mia intelligenza e la mia cultura, dato che il donatore, nel pur generoso atto, ha considerato questo libro buono per me.
Io di Coelho ho altri libri, ne ho letti aluni anni e anni fa, da giovanissimo, e francamente non ne ricordo bene i contenuti (tranne de L'Alchimista, che mi piacque abbastanza). Tuttavia questo "libro", fatto da raccontini brevissimi\sensazioni\esperienze di viaggio\folgorazioni filosofiche estemporanee m'ha lasciato di stucco. Sì, ci sono alcuni racconti carini (un 5%), altri fanno riflettere (un altro 5%) ma la maggior parte sono di un'inutilità, di una pochezza imbarazzante...pensieri che chiunque ha fatto una volta nella vita anche senza essere uno scrittore e che non ha sentito il bisogno di pubblicare. Poi, tutto questo ottimismo - fra discorsi deliranti che parlano di guerrieri della luce (sic) e leggenda personale- e questa visione delle cose al miele alla lunga fanno innervosire...sarà che sono un pessimista e che vedo il mondo per quello che è, ma qui si oltrepassano i limiti dell'ingenuità per entrare nei territori della più bieca e stupida banalità.
E poi, ma quanta paraculaggine! Sembra di leggere un lungo discorso-sermone unidirezionale fra il gran Maestro (nonchè uno dei più letti, famosi, sinceri scrittori del mondo, come il buon PC puntualmente -e modestamente- ci ricorda a intervalli regolari) e i suoi adepti, pronti a bersi qualunque cosa Egli dica e a stupirsi della sua originalità, della profondità dei concetti, etc etc etc
Per chiudere, un modesto consiglio all'editore da questo apprendista-guerriero-della-luce: cambiate titolo! Non più SONO COME IL FIUME CHE SCORRE (chè il vecchio filosofo di Efeso si sta rigirando nella tomba come una trottola) ma IPSE DIXIT. Così farete felici l'ego dell'autore, l'Universo (che con Lui, come si sa, è in grande armonia), gli stuoli di fans e, soprattutto, le legioni di detrattori che alla vista della frase e della sua foto in copertina, gireranno alla larga come mosche dall'insetticida.
October 1, 2020
Iniziato stamattina e finito poco fa, complice una giornata passata sui mezzi pubblici, tra attese e traffico.
A un certo punto pensavo che avrei trasudato melassa...
Una raccolta di aforismi, aneddoti, pensieri e altro dell'autore, alcuni imbarazzanti per la loro ovvietà, altri noiosi, alcuni decenti, altri da "mestizia portami via"... Sicuramente ho sbagliato a leggerli tutti insieme, avrei dovuto prenderli a piccoli dosi, ma rimane comunque la noia.
Una cosa l'ho imparata: quando vedo il tag "self help" devo scappare a gambe levate!
A un certo punto pensavo che avrei trasudato melassa...
Una raccolta di aforismi, aneddoti, pensieri e altro dell'autore, alcuni imbarazzanti per la loro ovvietà, altri noiosi, alcuni decenti, altri da "mestizia portami via"... Sicuramente ho sbagliato a leggerli tutti insieme, avrei dovuto prenderli a piccoli dosi, ma rimane comunque la noia.
Una cosa l'ho imparata: quando vedo il tag "self help" devo scappare a gambe levate!
April 18, 2020
Once in a while, we all feel the need to look within, to try and understand things like: our position in the larger scheme of things, our level of endurance, our capacity for contentment, our ability to find beauty not only in the sublime, but also in the ordinary, etc; Paulo Coelho's books guide us along this journey of soul-searching and self-analysis.
To many of us who have read and liked this writer's unique works, which endorse his versatility and depth of spirituality, this collection of short stories, observations and quotations, " Like The Flowing River" (with the subtitle, "Thoughts and Reflections"), is a boon.
This book is like no other I have come across. Sagacious, profound thoughts are expressed simply, clearly, concisely and sensitively. The anecdotes are very relevant in today's world.
Coelho is an avid traveller, one who, in his own words, is "more interested in a country's inhabitants than its museums and churches".
He believes that travelling is the best way of learning. In this book, he shares with us, the experiences he has had in different parts of the world. His encounters with a myriad of larger-than-life characters are recounted lucidly with masterly strokes of his pen.
The stories include events from his own life, as well as, the legendary and mythical tales he heard from various people in numerous cities and villages. He says he has "a pilgrim's soul". This wordsmith has a charming and captivating gift of storytelling.
The anecdotes are delightful and spread a kind of peace and joy; they are meant to be savoured. When Coelho writes about the occult, the mysteries in nature and miracles, we feel inclined to start believing in them, too. I am reminded of a quotation I had read somewhere: "anyone who doesn't believe in miracles isn't a realist". Coelho has his own definition for the word "miracle": "a miracle is something that fills the soul with peace. Sometimes it manifests itself in the form of a cure, or a wish granted. It doesn't matter. The end result is that, when the miracle occurs, we feel a profound reverence for the grace God has granted us."
The book, which has a universal appeal, is replete with gems in the form of quotations, bits of Eastern philosophy, references to the bible, etc; a monk in Spain says "God knows how far He can test a soul, and never goes beyond that point". Someone believes that "a voice crying out against wrongdoing is always heard by God"; someone else notes that "the most important things, those that shape our existance, are precisely the ones that never show their faces".
Coelho, who knew he wanted to be a writer since he was fifteen years old, muses over the minutest of things in this world (and beyond it). He is also a "people's person", a creative man with a big heart.
A chapter on translators, "The Other Side Of The Tower Of Babel", tells us about the significant role that translators play, not only in writers' lives and careers, but also in the cultures of nations. We are given valuable information about how translators help to share and spread knowledge. Coelho's father-in-law is also a translator. The chapter concludes with an interesting paragraph:
"When Man grew ambitious, God destroyed the Tower of Babel, and everyone began to speak in different tongues. However, in His infinite Grace, He also created people to rebuild those bridges to enable dialogue and the diffusion of human thought. That person, whose name we so rarely take the trouble to notice when we open a foreign book, is the translator."
It would be pertinent to mention here that the translator of "Like The Flowing River" is Margaret Jull Costa.
Coelho's message of hope reaches out to all kinds of people. His belief in the power of love and charity ends up making many of us believers, too. "Love creates bridges where it would seem they were impossible". In "The Music Coming From The Chapel", we see how worship can be in different forms, that religious or spiritual fervour can be shared, and that "the greatness of God always reveals itself in the simplest things".
The stories, narrated with a clear perception and easy interpretation of difficult, complex situations, have the general effect of making people feel happy and optimistic (as do his other books). Some of the stories move us to tears but these tears seem to purge the soul.
Reading Paulo Coelho's thoughts and reflections is an enriching experience, in itself.
To many of us who have read and liked this writer's unique works, which endorse his versatility and depth of spirituality, this collection of short stories, observations and quotations, " Like The Flowing River" (with the subtitle, "Thoughts and Reflections"), is a boon.
This book is like no other I have come across. Sagacious, profound thoughts are expressed simply, clearly, concisely and sensitively. The anecdotes are very relevant in today's world.
Coelho is an avid traveller, one who, in his own words, is "more interested in a country's inhabitants than its museums and churches".
He believes that travelling is the best way of learning. In this book, he shares with us, the experiences he has had in different parts of the world. His encounters with a myriad of larger-than-life characters are recounted lucidly with masterly strokes of his pen.
The stories include events from his own life, as well as, the legendary and mythical tales he heard from various people in numerous cities and villages. He says he has "a pilgrim's soul". This wordsmith has a charming and captivating gift of storytelling.
The anecdotes are delightful and spread a kind of peace and joy; they are meant to be savoured. When Coelho writes about the occult, the mysteries in nature and miracles, we feel inclined to start believing in them, too. I am reminded of a quotation I had read somewhere: "anyone who doesn't believe in miracles isn't a realist". Coelho has his own definition for the word "miracle": "a miracle is something that fills the soul with peace. Sometimes it manifests itself in the form of a cure, or a wish granted. It doesn't matter. The end result is that, when the miracle occurs, we feel a profound reverence for the grace God has granted us."
The book, which has a universal appeal, is replete with gems in the form of quotations, bits of Eastern philosophy, references to the bible, etc; a monk in Spain says "God knows how far He can test a soul, and never goes beyond that point". Someone believes that "a voice crying out against wrongdoing is always heard by God"; someone else notes that "the most important things, those that shape our existance, are precisely the ones that never show their faces".
Coelho, who knew he wanted to be a writer since he was fifteen years old, muses over the minutest of things in this world (and beyond it). He is also a "people's person", a creative man with a big heart.
A chapter on translators, "The Other Side Of The Tower Of Babel", tells us about the significant role that translators play, not only in writers' lives and careers, but also in the cultures of nations. We are given valuable information about how translators help to share and spread knowledge. Coelho's father-in-law is also a translator. The chapter concludes with an interesting paragraph:
"When Man grew ambitious, God destroyed the Tower of Babel, and everyone began to speak in different tongues. However, in His infinite Grace, He also created people to rebuild those bridges to enable dialogue and the diffusion of human thought. That person, whose name we so rarely take the trouble to notice when we open a foreign book, is the translator."
It would be pertinent to mention here that the translator of "Like The Flowing River" is Margaret Jull Costa.
Coelho's message of hope reaches out to all kinds of people. His belief in the power of love and charity ends up making many of us believers, too. "Love creates bridges where it would seem they were impossible". In "The Music Coming From The Chapel", we see how worship can be in different forms, that religious or spiritual fervour can be shared, and that "the greatness of God always reveals itself in the simplest things".
The stories, narrated with a clear perception and easy interpretation of difficult, complex situations, have the general effect of making people feel happy and optimistic (as do his other books). Some of the stories move us to tears but these tears seem to purge the soul.
Reading Paulo Coelho's thoughts and reflections is an enriching experience, in itself.
April 13, 2012
Like the Flowing River is a collection of Paulo Coelho’s stories and articles which were published in different newspapers around the world.
Like the Flowing River is definitely one of Coelho’s best, for me. It contained his thoughts and reflections on different things—from the story of the pencil to a piece of bread that fell wrong side up. I’m amused at how he sees the Universe. How he comes up with various realizations out of the simplest things that happen in his life.
This proves that Paulo Coelho really has a profound understanding of the Universe. The stories and articles were compiled in a such a way that the reader would not have a hard time reading them. Most of these articles made me think of the different possibilities that may happen in my life.
There were a hundred or so stories and articles contained in Coelho’s Like the Flowing River, and here are the ones that I liked:
Prepared for Battle, But with a Few Doubts
The Story of the Pencil *
How to Climb Mountains
Genghis Khan and His Falcon
How One Thing Can Contain Everything *
The Dead Man Wore Pyjamas
The Solitary Piece of Coal *
The Piece of Bread That Fell Wrong Side Up *
Of Books and Libraries
Prague, 1891
A Visitor Arrives from Morocco
The Moment of Dawn *
A Man Lying on the Ground *
Raj Tells Me a Story *
Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Statutes for the New Millennium *
Destroying and Rebuilding
Travelling Differently
A Fairy Tale *
The Australian and the Newspaper Ad *
The Tears of the Desert *
Rome: Isabella Returns from Nepal *
In the Blue Mountains
The Cloud and the Sand Dune *
Norma and the Good Things *
In San Diego Harbour, California
The Soldier in the Forest *
The Funny Thing About Human Beings *
Who Would Like This Twenty-Dollar Bill? *
The Art of Trying
My Father-in-law, Christiano Oiticica
Thank You, President Bush *
The Catholic and the Muslim *
Evil Wants Good to Prevail
The Old Lady in Copacabana *
Remaining Open to Love *
Believing in the Impossible
Some Final Prayers *
* The ones that had a great impact on me.
Like the Flowing River is definitely one of Coelho’s best, for me. It contained his thoughts and reflections on different things—from the story of the pencil to a piece of bread that fell wrong side up. I’m amused at how he sees the Universe. How he comes up with various realizations out of the simplest things that happen in his life.
This proves that Paulo Coelho really has a profound understanding of the Universe. The stories and articles were compiled in a such a way that the reader would not have a hard time reading them. Most of these articles made me think of the different possibilities that may happen in my life.
There were a hundred or so stories and articles contained in Coelho’s Like the Flowing River, and here are the ones that I liked:
Prepared for Battle, But with a Few Doubts
The Story of the Pencil *
How to Climb Mountains
Genghis Khan and His Falcon
How One Thing Can Contain Everything *
The Dead Man Wore Pyjamas
The Solitary Piece of Coal *
The Piece of Bread That Fell Wrong Side Up *
Of Books and Libraries
Prague, 1891
A Visitor Arrives from Morocco
The Moment of Dawn *
A Man Lying on the Ground *
Raj Tells Me a Story *
Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Statutes for the New Millennium *
Destroying and Rebuilding
Travelling Differently
A Fairy Tale *
The Australian and the Newspaper Ad *
The Tears of the Desert *
Rome: Isabella Returns from Nepal *
In the Blue Mountains
The Cloud and the Sand Dune *
Norma and the Good Things *
In San Diego Harbour, California
The Soldier in the Forest *
The Funny Thing About Human Beings *
Who Would Like This Twenty-Dollar Bill? *
The Art of Trying
My Father-in-law, Christiano Oiticica
Thank You, President Bush *
The Catholic and the Muslim *
Evil Wants Good to Prevail
The Old Lady in Copacabana *
Remaining Open to Love *
Believing in the Impossible
Some Final Prayers *
* The ones that had a great impact on me.
July 7, 2013
قصص ايمانية وفلسفية واحداث متنوعة من الحياة ، اجدها جدا ممتعة ، واحيانا يسرد بعض الاحداث اليومية ولكن ليس مجرد سرد ممل بل يحوي معاني عظيمة
انقل لكم بعض الاقتباسات التي اعجبتني
- صديقك يبقى صديقك حتى لو فعل مالا يعجبك
- اختر الطريق الاقل سلوكا لتتميز
- افضل وسيلة اتصال بالعالم ( نظر الانسان)
- الامل دائم مادامت الحياة
-اسوا شيء ان تشعر ان لاحد يهتم فيك
-العمل يغدو -لعنة- اذا منعك من التفكير في معنى الحياة
-عش الحياة لا تجتازها
- لا تلزم نفسك بالقواعد في كل الامور ، كن عفوي واستخدم حدسك
- اذا انتهيت من قراءة كتاب اودعه في احد المكتبات العامة، لكي لايموت على الرف
من يقبل الموت هو الذي يكون مستعدا للحياة
لكل انسان فضيلة القدرة على الاختيار، ومن لم يستخدم هذه الفضيلة تحولت الى لعنة واصبح الاخرون يختارون له
-تجنب زيارة المتاحف اثناء السفر ، فأنت ترغب في التعرف على الحاضر ليس الماضي
وغيرها من الاقتباسات الجميلة..
لاتترددوا بقرائته .
انقل لكم بعض الاقتباسات التي اعجبتني
- صديقك يبقى صديقك حتى لو فعل مالا يعجبك
- اختر الطريق الاقل سلوكا لتتميز
- افضل وسيلة اتصال بالعالم ( نظر الانسان)
- الامل دائم مادامت الحياة
-اسوا شيء ان تشعر ان لاحد يهتم فيك
-العمل يغدو -لعنة- اذا منعك من التفكير في معنى الحياة
-عش الحياة لا تجتازها
- لا تلزم نفسك بالقواعد في كل الامور ، كن عفوي واستخدم حدسك
- اذا انتهيت من قراءة كتاب اودعه في احد المكتبات العامة، لكي لايموت على الرف
من يقبل الموت هو الذي يكون مستعدا للحياة
لكل انسان فضيلة القدرة على الاختيار، ومن لم يستخدم هذه الفضيلة تحولت الى لعنة واصبح الاخرون يختارون له
-تجنب زيارة المتاحف اثناء السفر ، فأنت ترغب في التعرف على الحاضر ليس الماضي
وغيرها من الاقتباسات الجميلة..
لاتترددوا بقرائته .
October 20, 2011
ما بين حكاية الموت الذي كان يرتدي المنامة وحكاية الشر الذي كان يريد أن يفعل الخير، صادفتني رسالة إلى جورج بوش ونص عن فن التجريب وآخر عن التصرف بدافع , وغرقت لأكثر من ثلاثة أيام من بعد قرائتي لكتاب كالنهر الذي يجري لباولو كويلهو في دائرة من التأملات ودوامة من الأفكار ..
من المعروف عن باولو كويلهو أنه كثيراً ما يلبسك أجنحته ويسمح لك بالطيران (لصفحات) في عالمه، الذي يبدو تماماً كعالمك من حيث مظهره الخارجي لكنك ستدرك لاحقاً بأنك أبداً لم تراه في السابق كما يبدو لك الآن..
اخترت لكم هذان النصان ، ليس بالضرورة أن يكونا هما الأجمل لكنهما على الأقل من النصوص التي بقيت راسخة ذاكرتي ومؤثرة في إحساسي.. متابعة ممتعة:
المربع الناقص
أثناء أحد أسفاري، تلقيت فاكساً من سكرتيرتي تقول فيه:
((هناك مربع زجاجي ناقص لتجديد المطبخ. وها أنا أرسل لك المشروع الأصلي، والحلّ الذي يراه البنّاء لتعويض هذا النقص))
من ناحية، هناك الرسم الذي كانت زوجتي قد وضعته: صفوف منسجمة، مع فتحة للتهوية . ومن ناحية أخرى، المشروع الذي يحل مشكلة غياب المربّع: دويخة حقيقية، تدخل فيها المربّعات الزجاجية دون أية مسحة جمالية.
كتبت زوجتي: ((فلتشتروا المربّع الناقص)). وهكذا تمّ إتمام الرسم الأصلي .
بعد الظهر، فكرت طويلاً بهذا الحدث؛ غالباً ما يحصل لنا أن نغيّر المشروع الأصلي لحياتنا، بسبب غياب مربّع بسيط.
أوضاع الألفية الجديدة
1- جميع الناس مختلفون. ويجب أن يبذلوا جهدهم لكي يبقوا كذلك.
2- لكل كائن بشري طريقتان للتصرّف: الفعل والتأملّ. والطريقتان تؤديان إلى الطريق نفسه.
3- ولكل كائن بشري خصلتان: القدرة والعطاء. القدرة تقود الإنسان إلى مواجهة قدره؛ والعطاء يجبره على اقتسام أفضل ما لديه مع الآخرين.
4- لكل كائن بشري مُنحت فضيلة: القدرة على الاختيار. ومن لا يستخدم هذه الفضيلة تتحوّل إلى لعنة ويختار آخرون بدلاً منه.
5- لكل كائن بشري نعمتان: نعمة التصويب بطريقة صحيحة، ونعمة الخطأ في الحالة الثانية هناك دائماً تعليم يقوده إلى الطريق القويم.
6- لكل إنسان أسطورة شخصية عليه أن يتمّها، وهذه الأسطورة هي سبب وجوده في هذا العالم. وتتجلّى أسطورته الشخصية من خلال حماسته لمهمّته.
مقطع وحيد: يملك للإنسان أن يهمل أسطورته الشخصية لبعض الوقت، بشرط ألا ينساها وأن يعود إليها عندما يكون ذلك ممكناً..
7- لكل رجل جانب أنثوي ولكل امرأة جانب ذكوري. ومن الضروري اللجوء الانضباط مع الحدس، واستخدام الحدث مع الموضوعية.
8- على إنسان أن يتقن لغتين: لغة المجتمعات ولغة الإشارات. الأولى تساعد على التواصل مع الآخرين، والثانية تساعد على فهم رسائل الله.
9- لكل إنسان الحق في البحث عن الفرح، ونعني بالفرح ما يرضيه وليس بالضرورة ما يرضي الآخرين.
10- على كل إنسان أن يبقي شعلة الجنون متأجّجة في داخله. وعليه أن يتصرّف كإنسان عادي.
11- وحدها الأمور التالية تعد من الأخطاء الفادحة: عدم احترام حق أخيك الإنسان، أن يشلّك الخوف، أن تشعر بالذنب، الاعتقاد بأنك لا تستحق السعادة ولا التعاسة اللتين تصيبانك في الحياة، وأن تبدو جباناً.
مقطع 1: نحن نحب أعداءنا ولكننا لا نتحالف معهم. لقد وُضعوا على طريقنا لكي نمتحن سيوفنا، وهم يستحقّون احترام نضالنا.
مقطع 2: نحن نختار أعداءنا.
12- كل الأديان تؤدي إلى الله، وكلها تستحق الاحترام ذاته.
مقطع وحيد: الإنسان الذي يختار ديناً، يختار أيضاً طريقة جماعية في العبادة وفي اقتسام الأسرار. ومع ذلك، هو وحده مسؤول عن أفعاله على الطريق، وليس لديه الحق أن يحمّل الدين وزر قراراته.
13- لقد تحدد الجدار الرقيق الذي يفصل بين المقدّس والمدنّس. وبدءاً من الآن، كل شيء مقدّس.
14- كل ما يفعل في الحاضر يؤثّر على المستقبل بالنتيجة، والماضي بالفداء.
15- التصرفات المتعاكسة ملغاة.
من المعروف عن باولو كويلهو أنه كثيراً ما يلبسك أجنحته ويسمح لك بالطيران (لصفحات) في عالمه، الذي يبدو تماماً كعالمك من حيث مظهره الخارجي لكنك ستدرك لاحقاً بأنك أبداً لم تراه في السابق كما يبدو لك الآن..
اخترت لكم هذان النصان ، ليس بالضرورة أن يكونا هما الأجمل لكنهما على الأقل من النصوص التي بقيت راسخة ذاكرتي ومؤثرة في إحساسي.. متابعة ممتعة:
المربع الناقص
أثناء أحد أسفاري، تلقيت فاكساً من سكرتيرتي تقول فيه:
((هناك مربع زجاجي ناقص لتجديد المطبخ. وها أنا أرسل لك المشروع الأصلي، والحلّ الذي يراه البنّاء لتعويض هذا النقص))
من ناحية، هناك الرسم الذي كانت زوجتي قد وضعته: صفوف منسجمة، مع فتحة للتهوية . ومن ناحية أخرى، المشروع الذي يحل مشكلة غياب المربّع: دويخة حقيقية، تدخل فيها المربّعات الزجاجية دون أية مسحة جمالية.
كتبت زوجتي: ((فلتشتروا المربّع الناقص)). وهكذا تمّ إتمام الرسم الأصلي .
بعد الظهر، فكرت طويلاً بهذا الحدث؛ غالباً ما يحصل لنا أن نغيّر المشروع الأصلي لحياتنا، بسبب غياب مربّع بسيط.
أوضاع الألفية الجديدة
1- جميع الناس مختلفون. ويجب أن يبذلوا جهدهم لكي يبقوا كذلك.
2- لكل كائن بشري طريقتان للتصرّف: الفعل والتأملّ. والطريقتان تؤديان إلى الطريق نفسه.
3- ولكل كائن بشري خصلتان: القدرة والعطاء. القدرة تقود الإنسان إلى مواجهة قدره؛ والعطاء يجبره على اقتسام أفضل ما لديه مع الآخرين.
4- لكل كائن بشري مُنحت فضيلة: القدرة على الاختيار. ومن لا يستخدم هذه الفضيلة تتحوّل إلى لعنة ويختار آخرون بدلاً منه.
5- لكل كائن بشري نعمتان: نعمة التصويب بطريقة صحيحة، ونعمة الخطأ في الحالة الثانية هناك دائماً تعليم يقوده إلى الطريق القويم.
6- لكل إنسان أسطورة شخصية عليه أن يتمّها، وهذه الأسطورة هي سبب وجوده في هذا العالم. وتتجلّى أسطورته الشخصية من خلال حماسته لمهمّته.
مقطع وحيد: يملك للإنسان أن يهمل أسطورته الشخصية لبعض الوقت، بشرط ألا ينساها وأن يعود إليها عندما يكون ذلك ممكناً..
7- لكل رجل جانب أنثوي ولكل امرأة جانب ذكوري. ومن الضروري اللجوء الانضباط مع الحدس، واستخدام الحدث مع الموضوعية.
8- على إنسان أن يتقن لغتين: لغة المجتمعات ولغة الإشارات. الأولى تساعد على التواصل مع الآخرين، والثانية تساعد على فهم رسائل الله.
9- لكل إنسان الحق في البحث عن الفرح، ونعني بالفرح ما يرضيه وليس بالضرورة ما يرضي الآخرين.
10- على كل إنسان أن يبقي شعلة الجنون متأجّجة في داخله. وعليه أن يتصرّف كإنسان عادي.
11- وحدها الأمور التالية تعد من الأخطاء الفادحة: عدم احترام حق أخيك الإنسان، أن يشلّك الخوف، أن تشعر بالذنب، الاعتقاد بأنك لا تستحق السعادة ولا التعاسة اللتين تصيبانك في الحياة، وأن تبدو جباناً.
مقطع 1: نحن نحب أعداءنا ولكننا لا نتحالف معهم. لقد وُضعوا على طريقنا لكي نمتحن سيوفنا، وهم يستحقّون احترام نضالنا.
مقطع 2: نحن نختار أعداءنا.
12- كل الأديان تؤدي إلى الله، وكلها تستحق الاحترام ذاته.
مقطع وحيد: الإنسان الذي يختار ديناً، يختار أيضاً طريقة جماعية في العبادة وفي اقتسام الأسرار. ومع ذلك، هو وحده مسؤول عن أفعاله على الطريق، وليس لديه الحق أن يحمّل الدين وزر قراراته.
13- لقد تحدد الجدار الرقيق الذي يفصل بين المقدّس والمدنّس. وبدءاً من الآن، كل شيء مقدّس.
14- كل ما يفعل في الحاضر يؤثّر على المستقبل بالنتيجة، والماضي بالفداء.
15- التصرفات المتعاكسة ملغاة.
February 24, 2023
I was trying to read a very old and dull book about myth to finish off the reading challenge as I always planned to... but I couldn't bear to sit through it. In those times I always come back to Coelho. There is always some artist that seems to speak directly to one's heart.
Reading Like the Flowing River was a strange experience. Because I knew everything Coelho wrote was true, but it's like I was looking at the truth from the other side of a river. I feel so disconnected now, because of the lockdown, and the world's disunity, from Coelho's soulful writings. I feel like I shouldn't have permission to read such beautiful things because there is seemingly no way to enact them, or I have forgotten the ways. I fear I will throw up anything I drink from Coelho's flowing river of writing.
Regardless as usual a lot in this book helped me. Or not 'me', but the ideal 'me' which seems to be on the other side of the river. In a different time, either the burdenless past or the ideal future.
I learned once again how the rules of men are most often ridiculous. Society loves to make rules. But we should look to do things differently always.
I learned that it's never too late. I hope so. That's probably true but I don't see that right now.
I also learned how to touch a seagull- and how that is the key to crossing impossible bridges.
Reading Like the Flowing River was a strange experience. Because I knew everything Coelho wrote was true, but it's like I was looking at the truth from the other side of a river. I feel so disconnected now, because of the lockdown, and the world's disunity, from Coelho's soulful writings. I feel like I shouldn't have permission to read such beautiful things because there is seemingly no way to enact them, or I have forgotten the ways. I fear I will throw up anything I drink from Coelho's flowing river of writing.
Regardless as usual a lot in this book helped me. Or not 'me', but the ideal 'me' which seems to be on the other side of the river. In a different time, either the burdenless past or the ideal future.
I learned once again how the rules of men are most often ridiculous. Society loves to make rules. But we should look to do things differently always.
I learned that it's never too late. I hope so. That's probably true but I don't see that right now.
I also learned how to touch a seagull- and how that is the key to crossing impossible bridges.
July 15, 2011
I never thought that a man can really be so profound and inspiring even in his daily life, until I read Paulo Coelho’s Like the Flowing River.
Before I read this book, I have read Coelho’s book “The Alchemist”, and just credited him for a wonderful work of art. But after reading this book, I discovered that Coelho is not only a masterful writer but also a man full of wisdom in real life.
Like the Flowing River is a gleaning of accounts of his experiences, stories he had been told and thoughts than he had while traveling from one country to another. It would put you in Coelho’s shoes from the time he was just a boy dreaming to be a writer, to the time he actually became one of the widest read writers in the world, and the experiences he had between these points in time. It will bring you inside his mind and read his reflections on living and dying, destiny and choice, and love lost and found.
After reading the book, you will have a new perspective in life. You will appreciate little but important things you haven’t noticed before. You will enjoy living more.
A read that will definitely make you smile!
Before I read this book, I have read Coelho’s book “The Alchemist”, and just credited him for a wonderful work of art. But after reading this book, I discovered that Coelho is not only a masterful writer but also a man full of wisdom in real life.
Like the Flowing River is a gleaning of accounts of his experiences, stories he had been told and thoughts than he had while traveling from one country to another. It would put you in Coelho’s shoes from the time he was just a boy dreaming to be a writer, to the time he actually became one of the widest read writers in the world, and the experiences he had between these points in time. It will bring you inside his mind and read his reflections on living and dying, destiny and choice, and love lost and found.
After reading the book, you will have a new perspective in life. You will appreciate little but important things you haven’t noticed before. You will enjoy living more.
A read that will definitely make you smile!
May 12, 2020
A collections of thoughts and writings of Paolo Coelho's, Like the Flowing River is an interesting, entertaining, mostly light but also at times profound, and overall enjoyable read!
June 22, 2010
Dari Bab "The Prayer that I Forgot", demen banget dah gua...
Lord, protect our doubts, because Doubt is a way of praying. It is Doubt that makes us grow because it forces us to look fearlessly at the many answers that exist to one question. And in order for this to be possible...
Lord, protect our decisions, because making Decision is a way of praying. Give us the courage after our doubts, to be able to choose between one road and another. May our YES always be a YES and our NO always be a NO. Once we have chosen our road, may we never look back nor allow our soul to be eaten away by remorse. And in order for this to be possible...
Lord, protect our action, because Action is a way of praying. May our daily bread be the best result of the very best that we carry within us. May we, through work and Action, share a little of the love we receive. And in order to make this to be possible...
Lord, protect our dreams, because to Dream is a way of praying. Make sure that, regardless of our age or our circumstances, we are capable of keeping alight in our heart the sacred flame of hope and perseverance. And in order for this to be possible...
Lord, give us enthusiasm, because Enthusiasm is a way of praying. It is what binds us to the Heavens and to Earth, to grown-ups and to children; it is what tells us that our desires are important and deserve our best efforts. It is Enthusiasm that reaffirms us that everything is possible, as long as we are totally committed to what we are doing. And in order for this to be possible...
Lord, protect us, because Life is the only way we have of making manifest Your miracle. May the earth continue to transfom seeds into wheat, may we continue to transmute wheat into bread. And this is only possible if we have Love; therefore, do not leave us in solitude. Always give us Your company, and the company of men and women who have doubts, who act and dream and feel enthusiasm, and who live each day as if it were totally dedicated to Your glory.
Lord, protect our doubts, because Doubt is a way of praying. It is Doubt that makes us grow because it forces us to look fearlessly at the many answers that exist to one question. And in order for this to be possible...
Lord, protect our decisions, because making Decision is a way of praying. Give us the courage after our doubts, to be able to choose between one road and another. May our YES always be a YES and our NO always be a NO. Once we have chosen our road, may we never look back nor allow our soul to be eaten away by remorse. And in order for this to be possible...
Lord, protect our action, because Action is a way of praying. May our daily bread be the best result of the very best that we carry within us. May we, through work and Action, share a little of the love we receive. And in order to make this to be possible...
Lord, protect our dreams, because to Dream is a way of praying. Make sure that, regardless of our age or our circumstances, we are capable of keeping alight in our heart the sacred flame of hope and perseverance. And in order for this to be possible...
Lord, give us enthusiasm, because Enthusiasm is a way of praying. It is what binds us to the Heavens and to Earth, to grown-ups and to children; it is what tells us that our desires are important and deserve our best efforts. It is Enthusiasm that reaffirms us that everything is possible, as long as we are totally committed to what we are doing. And in order for this to be possible...
Lord, protect us, because Life is the only way we have of making manifest Your miracle. May the earth continue to transfom seeds into wheat, may we continue to transmute wheat into bread. And this is only possible if we have Love; therefore, do not leave us in solitude. Always give us Your company, and the company of men and women who have doubts, who act and dream and feel enthusiasm, and who live each day as if it were totally dedicated to Your glory.
December 28, 2016
Tal y como su subtítulo tan bien expresa (Pensamientos y reflexiones 1998-2005), los textos que nos vamos a encontrar aquí son de temática variada; a veces incluso parece que no existe ninguna relación posible entre ellos. Todos y cada uno (los textos, relatos o episodios de este libro, Ser como el río que fluye, de Paulo Coelho) llevan, eso sí, la impronta siempre trascendental y profunda tan marca de la casa y que tanto ha aportado al pensamiento y la filosofía actuales. Reseña completa: http://www.libros-prohibidos.com/paul...
July 24, 2018
Um conjunto de textos inpiradores que abordam a lenda pessoal, os guerreiros da luz, as suas próprias experiencias e a importância de nunca desistir. .,.
Paulo Coelho sempre me encanta com as suas frases positivas!
Paulo Coelho sempre me encanta com as suas frases positivas!
December 3, 2017
Its full of open thoughts and refections, and it's like pieces of of fragmented mind of an author that he/she is continuously trying to gather. I loved it.
June 23, 2014
I don't know how to explain my love for this book. It was a surprised gift from a new lovely friend, and I brought it with me to a short vacation in a beautiful island. Early in a morning, I had a long swim on the deserted beach, then lied down under the shade of almond trees, reading the book, pondering my life, then swimming again. In front of me, on the other side of the sea, Hongkong city resting quietly, glittering in the morning sun rays shining through grey clouds. What a wonderful moment I had with this book.
The book is a combination of short stories the writer came across here and there, of events happened to him and his thoughts about them. It strikes me that these events are nothing special, petty even, events that happen from time to time in one's daily life, a walk in the forest, a gardening work... While many of us passing through life, never pay attention to such events, Paulo Coelho does, reflecting, and noting down his thoughts. That is what matters.
Among these stories, I was especially impressed by the one about the author's childhood dream to be a writer. When he was small, he told his mother that he wanted to be a writer. His mother replied: "your father is an engineer, why don't you be an engineer that writes". My mom told me the same, replacing engineer by office staff. But he didn't want to be an engineer who writes. Neither do I. Paulo Coelho represents a man who strives for his life, who lives his dreams, who believes in miracles and spreading his love for God, for human being, for beauty of the earth. That's how I want to lead my life. And I'm gonna work my butt off to live that way.
The book is a combination of short stories the writer came across here and there, of events happened to him and his thoughts about them. It strikes me that these events are nothing special, petty even, events that happen from time to time in one's daily life, a walk in the forest, a gardening work... While many of us passing through life, never pay attention to such events, Paulo Coelho does, reflecting, and noting down his thoughts. That is what matters.
Among these stories, I was especially impressed by the one about the author's childhood dream to be a writer. When he was small, he told his mother that he wanted to be a writer. His mother replied: "your father is an engineer, why don't you be an engineer that writes". My mom told me the same, replacing engineer by office staff. But he didn't want to be an engineer who writes. Neither do I. Paulo Coelho represents a man who strives for his life, who lives his dreams, who believes in miracles and spreading his love for God, for human being, for beauty of the earth. That's how I want to lead my life. And I'm gonna work my butt off to live that way.
June 24, 2012
كآن ممل بالنسبة لي فبدآيته بس بعدهآ أندمجت كليآ معاه عمومن الكتآب جميل بأسلوبة البسيط مليء بنصوص من مختلف الموضوعات من مقآلات وتجارب شخصيه
الكثير من الأفكآر الملهمة لفهم الحيآة بشكل أعمق أحببت فيه عبارات كثيره
بعضها يلآمس جروحي شخصيا وبعضها يلامس الوآقع بشكل مباشر
بعض من العبآرات التي أعجبتني :
قد ينكر الشر في ثياب الهير لكن نيتة الخفية هي احداث اكبر قدر من الخراب
،
عندما ينبت شيء غير مرغوب فيه في نفسي ادعو الله ان يمنحني الشجاعه لأقتلعه منها بلا شفقة
،
احياناً بعض الأشياء توجد على طريقنا ولكن بما ان ساعتنا لم تحن بعد فإن هذه الاشياء تدنو أثناء مرورها دون ان تصيبنا ، رغم انها تكون واضحة جدا لكي نتمكن من رؤيتها
،
هناك دائما شخص يقول لك : مادمت قد بدأت فإمض حتى النهاية
'
نستطيع جميعا ان نضع حداً لعملٍ ما عندما تحركنا العواطف
،
يتم بلوغ الاناقه عندما يتخلص الانسان من كل ماهو سطحي ويكتشف البساطه والركيز
فكلما كان المظهر بسيط كلما كان أجمل
،
غير مظهرك ولآ تقطب حاجبيك انصب ظهرك وواجه العالم بقلب صادق وصريح عندما تفكر بجسدك فإنك تفكر بروحك أيضا وكلاً منهما سيساعد الأخر
October 11, 2015
I had read The Alchemist and Brida by Paulo Coelho before and had loved them both. Those books left me with messages that changed my life. Given my previous experiences with Coelho's books, I was pretty excited about Like a Flowing River too, until I read a few reviews (mostly negative) of the book. I nevertheless did not put the book away and I am glad I didn't.
Yes, there are a few thoughts in the book that give you a blah feeling, however the book has some hidden gems of inspiration that make reading it worthwhile. I am sure that not all the stories and thoughts shared will resonate with everyone but then you will still find something or the other in this book that you will cherish for the years to come.
I will keep this book in my library for life, reading out some of the thoughts therein to myself and a few others to my nephew as he grows up.
Yes, there are a few thoughts in the book that give you a blah feeling, however the book has some hidden gems of inspiration that make reading it worthwhile. I am sure that not all the stories and thoughts shared will resonate with everyone but then you will still find something or the other in this book that you will cherish for the years to come.
I will keep this book in my library for life, reading out some of the thoughts therein to myself and a few others to my nephew as he grows up.
March 13, 2017
sebenarnya nggak terlalu suka sama cerpen, tapi kumpulan cerpen ini WOW..
dapet pelajaran hidup bgtzzz, recomended.. :D
dapet pelajaran hidup bgtzzz, recomended.. :D
March 14, 2011
My friend told me to read this book about a year ago but I was never really interested in reading. I never found the right book to read. This summer I read a book for Paulo Coelho and I loved it. So I kept buying his books and reading them. His books are really different. They are all about life and how we choose our path. Some are all about love, destiny, and death. After I read most of his books I decided to start reading this book ''Like the Flowing River''. It made a great impact on the way i think of life. It showed me that life has a bright side that no one ever looks at. Coelho's books aren't silly stories, they are stories with meanings. This book has short stories about many different people that Coelho met during his life. They are either family, friends, or strangers. It talks about the incidents and problems that happened with these people and how it taught them a lesson.
One of my favorite quotes in this book that Coelho mentioned was ''These days people think a lot of their future and forget to live their present.'' This sentence really touched me. It has so many meanings and its in every persons life. It made me more optimistic and now I always keep in mind that at the end no one is taking anything with them, therefore enjoy your life to the fullest and make the best of each second.
One of my favorite quotes in this book that Coelho mentioned was ''These days people think a lot of their future and forget to live their present.'' This sentence really touched me. It has so many meanings and its in every persons life. It made me more optimistic and now I always keep in mind that at the end no one is taking anything with them, therefore enjoy your life to the fullest and make the best of each second.
November 14, 2016
الكتاب تضمن نصوصًا نشرها الكاتب قبلًا في صورة مقالات في الفترة بين عامي 1998 و 2005، وقد تم تجميعها وإعادة إصدارها في هذا الكتاب .
بين موضوعات عدَّة، وقضايا متنوعة ومختلفة، وأفكار مُلهِمة ومفيدة، وقصص مسلية وممتعة، وردت بين ثنايا الحكايات، ووجدتني مستمتعًا بها وبالإلهام الذي تعبِّر عنه، يمكنني أن أصف هذا الكتاب بالجيد .
وكعادة "كويليو" في معظم كتاباته يمكن اعتبار هذا الكتاب دعمًا لمسألة الروح في رحلة الإنسان علي الأرض، فالكاتب هنا يقدم اعتناءه الخاص ورعايته المعتادة لقضية الروح، فنجد أغلب حديثه مُركّزًا علي معاني الإيمان والحب والسلام والتضحية والإيثار والفداء وتقبل الآخر واحترامه وتقديس الأخوة الإنسانية . إنها، في المجمل، قضية السلام الروحي والنفسي الذي يكفل للإنسان، حال تحقُّقه، حياة آمنة وسعيدة . والكاتب هنا يقدم اسهاماته في سبيل تحقيق هذا السلام .
بين موضوعات عدَّة، وقضايا متنوعة ومختلفة، وأفكار مُلهِمة ومفيدة، وقصص مسلية وممتعة، وردت بين ثنايا الحكايات، ووجدتني مستمتعًا بها وبالإلهام الذي تعبِّر عنه، يمكنني أن أصف هذا الكتاب بالجيد .
وكعادة "كويليو" في معظم كتاباته يمكن اعتبار هذا الكتاب دعمًا لمسألة الروح في رحلة الإنسان علي الأرض، فالكاتب هنا يقدم اعتناءه الخاص ورعايته المعتادة لقضية الروح، فنجد أغلب حديثه مُركّزًا علي معاني الإيمان والحب والسلام والتضحية والإيثار والفداء وتقبل الآخر واحترامه وتقديس الأخوة الإنسانية . إنها، في المجمل، قضية السلام الروحي والنفسي الذي يكفل للإنسان، حال تحقُّقه، حياة آمنة وسعيدة . والكاتب هنا يقدم اسهاماته في سبيل تحقيق هذا السلام .
June 28, 2014
I did not like this book not only because it's naive and focuses too much on the little things but also because I was shocked by how empty and yet braggy the life of a best-selling author is. I just wasted 4 hours of my life reading (and skipping) useless crap while I might have just skipped to the end; Some Final Prayers; merely because it's the only page that's worth reading.
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