A Lesson From The Zahir

Thanks to the person who recommended The Zahir to me. Coelho’s The Zahir is one of few books that I find really talking to me. Like most of his books, in The Zahir I feel that wisdom arises above the events. This is, however, not to underestimate the plot of this novel, but I personally enjoyed the philosophical aspect of it, the brilliant comments and the impressive analysis he appears to make on the events as they unfold.

One of the touching thoughts Coelho puts forward, which really stroke me, is the idea that some people tend to live a history of theirs. This happens when at a point in one’s own life, things start to change between couples, friends, siblings, employees, etc. As a result, the glow in the meeting eyes is being put out, what used to be so interesting to share does not even exist, and an end needs to be marked for something used to be pleasant. Therefore, one will feel bad, disappointed, frustrated or even betrayed. While that’s so normally expected and logically coherent, the problem is reliving this point around the clock for nothing but to feel the same pain and undergo the same suffering. You enslave yourself for a three letter word - WHY. Yes it could have been better without it, but since it happened (no matter why or how) does it make you any good to live it again?

It is true that thinking about the problem and how and why it happened can lead to solving it. Yet, as you know, this does not always happen. However, there is something which can help you know if this kind of reflection may result in finding solutions or it will only make you suffer and torture yourself more and more. According to Coelho, there are signs that you need to watch out for. These signs will tell you if there are any other solutions to the problem. In case there are none, then they will hint to you that termination is your only salivation.

It is really fascinating to put it that way. When I think about it now, I can see that it is absolutely true. I believe that such signs could be concrete (e.g. what/how the other person says, does, reacts) and they could be abstract like thoughts, feelings, emotions and (my favourite) “vibrations”. Don’t be naïve and read the signs carefully. If it is termination you decide, then of course it will never run smooth, but remember that almost every good thing starts with a hardship. Beware that misreading them means that you are wasting your life.