EP186: The Alchemist – A Philosophical Approach to Quality?

Can we connect The Alchemist to Quality philosophies? Let’s explore this together! Join me in this thought exercise. #AdvancedQualityPrograms #TheQualityGuy #TheAlchemist #NotYourGuru

“The Alchemist” tells the story of Santiago, a young shepherd from Andalusia, who embarks on an extraordinary journey after experiencing a recurring dream about a hidden treasure. Despite his parents’ wish for him to enter the priesthood, his longing for travel leads him to become a shepherd. The tale begins with Santiago resting in the ruins of an ancient church in the Spanish countryside, where a sycamore tree stands. In his dream, a child leads him to the pyramids of Egypt, where a treasure is buried. Just as he is about to learn the exact location, he awakens.

Interpreting the dream as a sign, Santiago consults a fortune teller who advises him to travel to the pyramids to seek the treasure. Dissatisfied with her vague response, he decides to abandon the conversation and set out on his journey. Soon after, Santiago meets Melchizedek, a mysterious old man claiming to be a king. Melchizedek introduces him to the concept of the ‘Soul of the World,’ a force that connects all things and communicates through dreams and signs. He explains that when a person genuinely desires something, that longing originates from the universe, which helps them achieve it. Encouraged by this new acquaintance, Santiago sells his flock and sets out for Egypt in pursuit of his dream. Melchizedek gives him two stones to help interpret omens, strengthening Santiago’s belief in his destiny.

Santiago’s journey is filled with challenges. After being robbed upon arriving in Tangier, he takes a job at a crystal shop to earn money. Undiscouraged, he later joins a caravan crossing the desert. At an oasis, he falls in love with a woman named Fatima and meets a true alchemist who teaches him significant lessons about life and transformation. Throughout his travels, Santiago encounters various temptations, including love, wealth, hardship, and danger.

He forms relationships with people who reshape his understanding of the world—an Englishman aspiring to become an alchemist and a camel driver. While the Englishman seeks wisdom through books, Santiago learns through experience, highlighting the importance of both study and real-life encounters. A conversation with the camel driver offers Santiago valuable insights; the man recounts that after consulting many fortune tellers about the future, the wisest among them advised him that only God knows the future, while others can only infer from present signs.

Later, Santiago meets a true alchemist, capable of transforming metal into gold. The alchemist explains that many people fail to achieve their dreams because they become overly concerned with material possessions, losing sight of their true purpose. He urges Santiago to listen to his heart and remain connected to the ‘Soul of the World.’ Both Melchizedek and the alchemist emphasize the importance of trusting one’s heart. Santiago struggles with fear, doubt, and love, but the alchemist reassures him that emotions are a natural part of life. He encourages Santiago to trust his journey, advising him never to ignore his heart now that he understands it. Santiago learns to overcome his fears and heed the wisdom of his heart. Eventually, his heart begins to align with the ‘Soul of the World.’

Santiago and Fatima meet at the oasis, where the caravan has paused to avoid a desert conflict. Fatima comes to the well for water, and Santiago waits there daily to see her. As they converse, they share their dreams, and Santiago proposes to her. However, questions arise about whether love can truly be possessed or fully understood. Santiago’s journey demands that he give up many things he holds dear—his flock, his money, his family, and even the gold given to him by the alchemist. But leaving Fatima proves to be the most difficult choice of all. He wonders whether she is part of his destiny, but Fatima encourages him to follow his dream. She believes the desert promised her an important gift, which she now recognizes as Santiago. She feels connected to his journey and vows to wait for him. As a daughter of the desert, she understands that men must leave to fulfill their purpose. If they do not return, it means their soul has found a new home—perhaps in an animal, a sand dune, or another element of the ‘Soul of the World.’

The alchemist agrees with Fatima’s perspective. If Santiago chooses to remain at the oasis, it would mean either a lack of faith in their love or an unwillingness to confront his fears. His departure and eventual return would serve as the ultimate testament to his love.

When Santiago notices two hawks fighting in the sky. He interprets this omen as a sign that a rival tribe is planning an attack on the oasis, and his prediction proves correct. His journey is briefly interrupted by a tribal war in the desert. Later, the alchemist tells the tribesmen that Santiago will prove himself to be a true alchemist by transforming into the wind within three days. Uncertain of how to accomplish this, Santiago relies on the universal language he has learned throughout his travels. He asks the desert to help him become the wind. The desert cannot assist directly but advises him to speak to the sand, which in turn directs him to the sun. Santiago engages in deep conversations with these natural elements about love and purpose, realizing that they, too, are on their own journeys and cannot provide direct aid. While Santiago does not physically transform into the wind, his profound dialogue about love and the universe prompts the desert, the wind, and the sun to create a powerful storm. In that moment, Santiago spiritually becomes an alchemist.

At the end of his journey At the pyramids, he sees a scarab beetle, an omen of good fortune, and begins digging for treasure. Suddenly, two men attack him, assuming he possesses something valuable. They laugh when he mentions his dream. One of them confesses that he, too, once had a dream about treasure buried at the ruins of an ancient church in Spain. Realizing the significance of this revelation, Santiago travels back home and discovers the treasure where his journey began. The idea behind Santiagos Travel is that sometimes, we must travel far to recognize what has always been close at hand. This lesson echoes the story’s central theme: the ‘Personal Legend,’ the belief that everyone has a unique purpose in life.

At first glance, The Alchemist seems like a simple story about a young man searching for treasure. However, as the narrative unfolds, it reveals deeper themes of self-discovery, personal growth, and the pursuit of one’s true purpose, ideas explored in Episode 185 about Ikigai and casting a vision in Episode 120.

Santiago’s dream is the central driving force of the story. Believing his recurring dream carries a hidden message, he realizes that life’s most profound truths are often the simplest, and only those with wisdom can truly understand them.

Throughout the story, dreams symbolize a person’s deepest desires, both literally and metaphorically. Santiago’s dream is not just about treasure; it represents the transformation of his character and his quest to discover his true purpose—his Ikigai. The philosophy we explored about mastery and self-purpose aligns closely with this theme.

Melchizedek introduces the concept of a Personal Legend, a unique life purpose that each person is meant to fulfill, once again connecting the story to its philosophical roots. As children, we instinctively know what we want, but societal expectations often push us toward safety and away from fulfilling our purpose. In a sense, Melchizedek challenges this mindset, insisting that anyone who truly desires it can achieve their Personal Legend.

The story explores the tension between fate and free will. The phrase maktub, meaning “it is written,” appears throughout the book, suggesting that certain things are destined. However, Santiago’s journey raises an important question: If our fate is written, why is it so difficult to achieve? If we fail, is it our fault or the universe’s? The narrative ultimately suggests that it is our responsibility to take action.

Omens play a crucial role in guiding Santiago. The two stones, Urim and Thummim, help him interpret signs, while the sight of two hawks fighting warns of an impending attack. The scarab beetle, a symbol of good fortune… The idea is a reminder of the importance of observing the warning signs and understanding their messages. These omens are the guidance for those who are willing to listen. In simple terms, the story encourage us to observe what is happening around us.

Through the character of Fatima, the story explores love and relationships as forces that connect all things and foster growth—another topic we have discussed Episode 137 and 138 . Santiago’s relationship with Fatima illustrates that true love does not hold us back; rather, it encourages us to pursue our purpose. This idea is reinforced when Santiago proves his abilities to skeptical tribesmen—not through violence, but by connecting with nature and love.

Thus, The Alchemist is more than just a story about treasure. It is a philosophical reflection on meaning, personal development, and the power we gain when following our purpose in life. Coelho’s message is simple: When we pursue our Personal Legend with courage and faith, the universe help us succeed. For anyone seeking to understand meaning, purpose, and inspiration in discovering their Ikigai, this book offers profound insights.