Maktub
Paulo Coelho
Dedicated to Nha Chica
PART 10
Catagory:Fiction
Author:
Posted Date:08/28/2024
Posted By:utopia online
dawn,” the woman says. “The legend says that it was this that the builders of the church wanted to teach us: that God has a particular time for showing us His glory.” The master says: “There are two gods. The god that our professors taught us about, and the God who teaches us. The god of whom people always speak, and the God that speaks to us. The god we have learned to fear, and the God who speaks to us of compassion. There are two gods. The god who is on high, and the God who takes part in our daily lives. The god who makes demands upon us, and the God who pardons our debts. The god who threatens us with the fires of Hell, and the God who shows us the best path. There are two gods. A god who crushes us under our sins, and a God who liberates us with His love.” The sculptor, Michelangelo, was once asked how it was that he could create such beautiful works. “It's very simple,” he answered. “When I look at a block of marble, I see the sculpture inside it. All I have to do is remove what doesn't belong.” The master says: “There is a work of art each of us was destined to create. That is the central point of our life, and -no matter how we try to deceive ourselves -we know how important it is to our happiness. Usually, that work of art is covered by years of fears, guilt and indecision. But, if we decide to remove those things that do not belong, if we have no doubt as to our capability, we are capable of going forward with the mission that is our destiny. That is the only way to live with honor.” An old man who is about to die calls a young man to his side and tells him a story of heroism: in wartime, he had helped a man to survive. He provided the man with shelter, food and protection. When the man who had been saved was once again in a safe place, he decided to betray his saviour and turn him over to the enemy. “How did you escape?” the young man asked. “I didn't escape. I was the betrayer,” said the old man. “But in telling the story as if I were the hero, I can understand everything he did for me.” The master says: “We all need love. Love is a part of human nature, as much as eating, drinking and sleeping. Sometimes we find ourselves, completely alone, looking at a beautiful sunset, and we think: 'This beauty isn't important, because I have no one to share it with. ' At such times, we should ask: how often have we been asked to give love, and turned away? How many times have we been fearful of approaching someone and saying, unmistakably, that we love them? Beware of solitude. It is as much of an addiction as the most dangerous narcotic. If the sunset no longer makes sense to you, be humble, and go in search of love. Know that -as with other spiritual blessings -the more you are willing to give, the more you will receive in return.” A Spanish missionary was visiting an island when he came upon three Aztec holy men. “How do you pray?” the padre asked. “We have only one prayer,” one of the Aztecs answered. “We say, 'God, you are three and we are three. Have pity on us. '” “I'm going to teach you a prayer that God will hear,” said the missionary. And he taught them a Catholic prayer, and went on his way. Shortly before returning toSpain , he stopped again at the same island. When his ship approached the shore, the padre saw the three holy men walking across the water toward him. “Father, father,” one of them said. “Please teach us again that prayer that God listens to. We have forgotten the words.” “It's not important,” the padre answered, having witnessed the miracle. And he asked God's pardon for not having understood that He speaks all languages. Saint John of the Cross teaches us that, along our spiritual path, we should not look for visions, or believe the statements we hear from others on the same path. Our only support should be our faith, because that faith is clear, transparent and born within us. It cannot confused. A writer was conversing with a priest, and asked what it was to experience God. “I don't know,” the priest answered. “The only experience I have had so far is the experience of my faith in God.” And that is the most important. The master says: “Forgiveness is a two-way street. Each time we forgive someone, we are also pardoning ourselves. If we are tolerant of others, it is easier to accept our own mistakes. That way, without guilt or bitterness, we are able to improve our approach to life. When, out of weakness, we allow hatred, envy and intolerance to vibrate around us, we wind up being consumed by the vibrations. Peter asked Christ: 'Master, should I forgive the other person seven times?' And Christ answered: 'Not just seven, but seventy times. ' The act of forgiving cleanses the astral plane, and shows us the true light of the Divinity.” The master says: “The ancient masters were accustomed to creating “personages” to help their disciples to deal with the darker side of their personality. Many of the stories about the creation of such personages have become well-known fairy tales. The process is simple: you have only to place your anxieties, fears and disappointments within an invisible being who stands at your left side. He functions as a “villain” in your life, suggesting attitudes that you would not like to adopt -but wind up doing so. Once that personage is created, it is easier to reject his advice. It's extremely simple. And that's why it works so well.” “How can I know what is the best way to act in my life?” a disciple asked his master. The master asked that the disciple build a table. When the table was almost finished -needing only the nails driven into the top -the master approached the disciple. The disciple was driving the nails with three precise strokes. One nail, though, was more difficult, and the disciple had to hit it one more time. The fourth blow drove it too deep, and the wood was scarred. “Your hand was used to three blows of the hammer,” the master said. “When any action becomes habitual, it loses its meaning; and it may wind up causing damage. Every action is your action, and there is only one secret: never let the habit take command of your movements.” Near the city ofSoria , inSpain , there is an ancient hermitage carved into the rocks. Some years ago a man who abandoned everything to dedicate himself to contemplation lived there. The wanderer is trying to find the place one autumn afternoon, and, when he does, he is received with total cordiality. After sharing a piece of bread, the hermit asked that the wanderer go with him to a small stream nearby to collect some edible mushrooms. As they walk, a boy approaches them. “Holy man,” he says, “I have been told that, in order to achieve, we should avoid eating meat. Is that true?” “Accept with joy everything that life offers you,” the man answered. “Do not commit sins against the spirit, but do not blaspheme the earth's generosity.” The master says: “If your journey is difficult, listen to your heart. Try to be as honest as possible with yourself, and see whether you are really following your path and paying the price for your dreams. If you do this, and nevertheless your life is hard, the moment comes when it is right to complain. But do it with respect, as a child complains to a parent. But do not fail to ask for more attention and help. God is Father and Mother, and parents always want the best for their children. It may be that the learning process is being pushed too hard, and it costs nothing to request a pause, some affection. But never exaggerate. Job complained at the proper time, and his belongings were returned to him. Al Afid complained too much, and God stopped listening”. A pious man found himself suddenly deprived of all of his wealth. Knowing that God would help him no matter what, he began to pray: “Lord, please let me win the lottery,” he asked. He prayed for years and years, but was still poor. One day he died, and -since he was a very pious man, he went straight to heaven. When he arrived there, he refused to enter. He said that he had lived his entire life according to his religious teachings, and that God had never allowed him to win the lottery. “Everything You promised me was a lie,” the man said, disgusted. “I was always ready to help you win,” the Lord responded. “But, no matter how much I wanted to do so, you never bought a lottery ticket.” An aged Chinese wise man was walking through a field of snow,
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