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Warrior of Light


Book Review 


Title: Manual of the Warrior of Light

Author: Paulo Coelho

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2002

Pages: 268 [Content only one side, however]

 

You can work miracles if you wish. Miracle is a change of attitude. Miracle is a matter of changing your way of looking at reality.

Paulo Coelho’s book, Manual of the Warrior of Light, is a kind of handbook for those who wish to perform miracles. But if you are looking for some shortcuts to miracles, or even some practical psychological tips for self-improvement, this book will disappoint you.

How do you transform your attitudes? How to change your perspectives? Sit down and do some serious meditation. Probe within. Probe deep. Question yourself, your thoughts and feelings, your beliefs and convictions. This book can help you do that by giving some starting points.

Each page of the book carries a particular thought meant to stimulate your contemplation. Many of these thoughts may not be new to anyone who has read a lot of similar work. Some of them may even sound like platitudes. A few examples:

A warrior of light always keeps his heart free of any feelings of hatred. [86]

The warrior knows that no man is an island. [102]

Yesterday’s pain is the warrior of light’s strength. [158]

A few of the ideas are borrowed directly from other writers and gurus like John Bunyan and Jesus. Examples:

The consequences of our actions are the scarecrows of fools and the beacons of wise men. T. H. Huxley [45]

A warrior is as wise as a serpent and as innocent as a dove. Adapted from Jesus [162]

If you are the kind of person who sits in meditation for a while every day and would like to have a triggering point for the meditation, you will find this book helpful. At any rate, this is not a book for ordinary reading. There is nothing much to read in it. This is a book that helps you to reflect. Read a page and let the idea play in your mind. Probe the idea as far as you can go with it. The exercise will change the way you look at yourself and the world. That is the miracle that this book can work on us.

 

 

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Comments

  1. Yamini MacLeanMay 29, 2023 at 10:11 PM

    Hari OM
    I read The Alchemist and also The Pilgramage many years back... I never got back to Coelho's works, but they are accessible and truly inspirational. YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalMay 30, 2023 at 6:18 AM

      I too read the same two plus Eleven Minutes, the latter of which is rather uncharacteristic of Coelho.

      Delete
  2. DawnanddewMay 30, 2023 at 6:03 PM

    Exactly...Eleven minutes is not characteric of Coelho. His is a book of pondering and contemplation. He has given his ideas in a new bowl of motivation, it seems. But his writing is mesmerizing and miraculous indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  3. WaterMay 31, 2023 at 7:40 PM

    He is one of my favourite writer. I love his writing. I read his alchemist and that is full of encouragement to keep moving you'll never miss your goal. Your review reminded me that my shelf has a few of his works which I have to read. I am going to open them now. Thank you Sir.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalMay 31, 2023 at 10:19 PM

      My pleasure. It's always better to read what's left unread on your shelf.

      Delete
  4. peppylady (Dora)June 1, 2023 at 7:24 AM

    I haven't read a Brazilian author.
    Coffee is on, and stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AmbicaJune 2, 2023 at 1:57 PM

    I find his books very significant, as they make you think.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anupama JoshyJune 26, 2023 at 6:29 PM

    "A warrior is as wise as a serpent and as innocent as a dove. Adapted from Jesus [162]" I recall this from your classes.

    ReplyDelete

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