As Santiago and
the alchemist are traveling through the desert towards the pyramids, they have a discussion
about listening to one's heart. The boy is closer than ever to finding his treasure and he feels
apprehensive. He is also concerned because he feels as if his heart hasn't spoken to him in
awhile and it is usually very talkative. The boy tells the alchemist that his heart is agitated,
emotional, passionate, and it keeps him awake thinking about Fatima, the woman he loves. The
alchemist tells him to keep listening to his heart because if he stops, he may eventually lose
all communication with it. Santiago then asks if he should listen to his heart even if it is
treasonous. The alchemist says the following:
"If you
know your heart well, it will never be able to do that to you. Because you'll know its dreams
and wishes, and will know how to deal with them" (129).
The alchemist continues to teach Santiago that he must always listen to his heart so he
won't ever be surprised by "an unanticipated blow" (129). Fortunately, Santiago
listens to the alchemist's advice and continues to listen to his heart. Consequently, he is able
to accept his heart for what it is--the center of a person that experiences all sorts of
emotions. When his heart tells him that it is afraid of suffering, the alchemist tells Santiago
to tell it the following:
"Tell your heart that the
fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when
it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with
God and with eternity" (130).
Once Santiago learns
to explain these things to his heart, it quiets down and he is able to sleep through the
night.
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