Excerpts from “BY THE RIVER PIEDRA I SAT DOWN AND WEPT”
By Paulo Coelho
Some may try to control their emotions & develop strategies for their behavior; others may turn to reading books of advice from “experts” on relationships – but this is all folly. The heart decides, and what it decides is all that really matters.
All of us have had this experience. At some point, we have each said through our tears, “I’m suffering for a love that’s not worth it.” We suffer because we feel we are giving more than we receive. We suffer because we are unable to impose our own rules.
But ultimately there is no good reason for our suffering, for in every love lies the seed of our growth. The more we love, the closer we come to spiritual experience. Those who are truly enlightened, those whose souls are illuminated by love, have been able to overcome all of the inhibitions & preconceptions of their era. They have been joyful- because those who love conquer the world & have no fear of loss. True love is an act of total surrender.
“But there is suffering in Life and there are Defeats. No one can avoid them. But it’s better to lose some of the battles in the struggle for your dreams than to be defeated without ever even knowing what you are fighting for.”
Love is a trap. When it appears, we see only its light, not its shadows. Life takes us by surprise & orders us to move toward the unknown – even when we don’t want to & when we think we don’t need to.
“It’s risky, falling in love.” It’s like a narcotic. At first it brings the euphoria of complete surrender. The next day, you want more. You are not addicted yet, but you like the sensation and you think you can still control things. You think about the person you love for two minutes & forget them for three hours.“ But then you get used to that person & you begin to be completely dependent on them. Now you think about him for three hours & forget him for two minutes. If he’s not there, you feel like an addict who can’t get a fix. And just as addicts steal & humiliate themselves to get what they need, you’re willing to do anything for love.”
Love doesn’t ask many questions, because if we stop to think we become fearful. It’s an inexplicable fear; it’s difficult even to describe it. Maybe it’s the fear of being scorned, of not being accepted or of breaking the spell. It’s ridiculous, but that’s the way it is. That’s why you don’t ask –you act. You have to take the risks. I think that when we look for love courageously, it reveals itself, and we wind up attracting more love. If one person really wants us, everyone does. But if we’re alone, we become even more alone. Life is strange. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.
Sooner or later, we have to overcome our fears, because the spiritual path can only be traveled through the daily experience of love.
 | 'The pain/fear is just as intense as it is for someone who gives up and gives in. "Sufferings have made us more sensitive and responsive; more grateful for life. 'Life is fragile. It is not only important that we don't take life for granted, but also that we prepare today for tomorrow's life after life.We don't take tomorrow for granted, because it simply may not be there.' The reality is, none of us has any guarantee of tomorrow. Eternity is forever.
Whatever you do make absolute sure you have your "passport for heaven" without which you will not be able to gain entry into God's heaven any more than you could gain entry into Australia, England, Germany, the U.S.A or numerous other countries without a valid passport. May the Good Lord help us to obtain our 'Passport' for entry into heaven. The greatest love of all is to Love ourself first before we can spread Love to others. . . . Love yourself. Be good to yourself. Treat yourself well. Replenish yourself. You will discover that, the more you love yourself, the more you will be able to give love to others - and the more others will want to be around you and give back to you. This is a win-win situation. Loving yourself will ultimately benefit the lives of others you encounter, as well as your own life.
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 | hi tita! i've read this! :p the book is very nice. :p very enriching.. :p warrior of the light by paulo coelho is also one of my faves! |
 |  'The pain/fear is just as intense as it is for someone who gives up and gives in. "Sufferings have made us more sensitive and responsive; more grateful for life. 'Life is fragile. It is not only important that we don't take life for granted, but also that we prepare today for tomorrow's life after life.We don't take tomorrow for granted, because it simply may not be there.' The reality is, none of us has any guarantee of tomorrow. Eternity is forever.
Whatever you do make absolute sure you have your "passport for heaven" without which you will not be able to gain entry into God's heaven any more than you could gain entry into Australia, England, Germany, the U.S.A or numerous other countries without a valid passport. May the Good Lord help us to obtain our 'Passport' for entry into heaven. The greatest love of all is to Love ourself first before we can spread Love to others. . . . Love yourself. Be good to yourself. Treat yourself well. Replenish yourself. You will discover that, the more you love yourself, the more you will be able to give love to others - and the more others will want to be around you and give back to you. This is a win-win situation. Loving yourself will ultimately benefit the lives of others you encounter, as well as your own life.
 Hi friend... You're right, hindi ba nga may song na Learning to Love Yourself is the Greatest Love of All... It is true. Everything has to start in ourself naman talaga; Love, acceptance, changes, etc. Sabi nga ni Gene sa akin before, "You cannot change other people. You can only change yourself." .... Thank you for the very nice input.. Miss you.. mwaah. |
 | hello! I'm also a big Paulo Coelho's fan and I don't know if you heard about his blog http://www.paulocoelhoblog.comI've started as a fan and now I'm collaborating with him and thought that you would like to enter his universe. Check the blog. if you want, or subscribe to his newsletter http://www.warriorofthelight.com/engl/index.htmlYou'll see a community of warriors of light sharing ideas, dreams and most importantly following their personal legend. QUOTE OF THE DAY: The Warrior of the Light listens to the words of certain thinkers. (Warrior of the Light) See u there and have a great day! Aart |
| Thanks for the info... I will check it out.. Have a great day! |
 | Dear Debbie, Paulo Coelho got wind of your blog through aart hilal and wants to post this article on his blog. Paulo Coelho's blogIn case you have any restrictions, do not hesitate to write me on my email : valentinawol@gmail.com Have a wonderful day! And here's a quote to ponder: The Warrior of the Light does not postpone making decisions. (Warrior of the Light) Valentina |
 | Hey i loved the extract.. but thn i love most of the work ive read of Paulo... its so true that "And just as addicts steal & humiliate themselves to get what they need, you’re willing to do anything for love.”that is the downside of love ....but then like all of Coelhos works he gives us hope by showing us that as a result of this suffering we grow as we fear nothing 'those who love conquer the world & have no fear of loss' and the challenge for us is to use this fearlessness to grow in spirituality rather thn become hopeless & apathetic to the world... therein lies the challenge...
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 | wow... ang galeng... coelho featured you. =) |
| Things to ponder... Thanks for the input. |
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