There may have been times when you have avoided a close brush with death due to a strong gut feeling. Similarly, you may have chosen to stay at home because something felt wrong. All of these instances can be explained by the concept of following your heart. The theme of trusting your intuition is consistently emphasized in Paulo Coelho’s book, The Alchemist.
The book consistently shows an important lesson through the recurring event of Santiago, the Shepard boy, following omens. These omens act as guiding signs for Santiago to fulfill his personal legend, or his life’s purpose. However, I believe these omens are not physical in nature; instead, they serve as signals from his heart. The old king advised Santiago to learn to recognize and follow these omens, which the boy finds amusing. As Santiago continues his journey towards his personal legend, the frequency of these omens increases. I believe this is because his process of self-discovery allows him to trust his emotions more fully.
Another instance in the reading that perfectly depicted the importance of trusting one’s intuition occurred when Santiago proposed to Fatima. Fatima, a young woman from the desert whom Santiago instantly fell in love with, served as a clear testament to the existence of a profound connection between one’s heart and oneself. “At that very moment, time appeared to stop… As he gazed into her mysterious eyes and observed her poised lips, ready to either laugh or remain silent, Santiago comprehended the most crucial aspect of the universal language spoken by all… It was love… She responded with a smile, which served as a definite omen.” (pg. 94)
An example of Santiago’s heart speaking to him was when he predicted war: “Once again he had perceived the many languages in the things about him… ‘An army is coming,’ the boy said. (pg. 102) This feeling is universal and it saves us repeatedly. Intuitive predictions act as caution tape, preventing us from acting on previous plans. Understanding your gut instinct is crucial. Like the quote mentioned earlier, knowing yourself allows you to know so much more. Intuition embodies the common languages of the world.
In relation to the real world, the importance of trusting your intuition is emphasized. This book continuously provides evidence of overcoming the impossible through self-understanding and recognizing one’s needs. Your intuition serves as an internal alarm, signaling when something is not suitable for you. Personally, I learned this lesson when my friend invited me and a few others to sleep over at her house despite feeling tired. However, my gut instinct told me it was not a good idea. As it turned out, they stayed up all night without sleeping. The next day, I had a tournament and performed exceptionally well because I had enough sleep. If I had stayed over, I doubt I would have been so lucky. Similar to The Alchemist and reality itself, the message of trusting your intuition can be found throughout every twist and turn, making it crucial to have faith in your own instincts.
