10. A Warrior of Light ?

A question as a title probably speaks about my dilemma when talking about this book. I read "Warrior's life. The authorized biography" (of Paulo Coelho) by Fernando Morais . I read in amazement, turning the pages with surprise. After that I had to let it sit. The life story of Paulo Coelho is so bizarre. He went places and did things that most people will probably never do. What is even stranger and impressive is his resilience, disregard for the way the world is, or presented to us. Without intending to spoiling it, I have to say that his childhood experience with mental health and his explorations of the Darkness, Evil, Spiritual World, explorations that continued thorough his life are quite impressive. My dilemma is that I am not sure how to feel about his actions and at times, the disrespectful ways he treated the people around him. From a lonely and obscure teenage her grew to be an adventurer of the senses (sexually, emotionally, mentally). But he seems to have done it without any trace of fear or remorse, which is the hard part for me to understand. Maybe because myself I was educated to do everything else for the others first, to make sure that everyone else was doing good and only then to start thinking about me and my needs. The fact that he was allowed and even supported, by the entourage, the multiple friends he made, by financial success and fame, to behave as he wanted, believe whatever he wanted, explore Evil and experiment with drugs- this is a bit scary but also amazing! This complete disregard for external expectations, the world in general, made the deep dive into his imagination, dreams, senses possible. This stunning courage made him as successful as he has become and it lead to worldwide fame, which apparently was his purpose all along. When he started (and failed many times) he was not only hungry for fame and money, but also for eternity. He wanted to be remembered forever. I have to admit that I did read his most popular book "The Alchemist" some years ago and I don't remember the story very well. But now, knowing the background and the mind conditions that created it, I am going to read it again. Not only that one, I am going to read most of his books. I want to know his universe and the way he sees the world. My circumspection with trusting the artistry of a person who, for many years, took drugs and wished for a relationship with the Devil, is still there. But my curiosity and desire to see his perspective are stronger. He might have a point (😁). I am also deeply impressed by his work ethic and respect for the public, the readers. He is one of those rare authors who descend into the masses, shaking hand with the readers, signing books for hours, talking to them for hours. I admire this passion, this desire to be part of world. I am not feeling it to that mad degree, but I get it. He lives many lives in one, his spirit took many shapes and dreamt to many dreams to be bound to the material world, as tight as someone who is struggling every day to stay alive (most of the people). And this is why I think his books are so damn successful - he spreads hope, a dream to dream by those who are atrophied by the material world and its requirements. His books were sold in millions and millions of copies, in different languages as he wished and worked for. Even if the publishing industry, the critics and ultra educated people who think that literature needs to be something else (more elevated and unattainable) were all against his work, he succeeded. People bought his books and bought them again and again. This is, I think, a fearless Warrior writing about his life while he is being lived out by an almighty Spirit. Paulo Coelho's work and life is an invitation to look inwards, imagine, work and create a life worth writing about.