Some Observations on Paulo Coelho's Intellectual Sources

With the collapse of materialistic systems, Marxism and Freudism, the vacuum resulted from lack of faith and spirituality followed by man's need for spirituality and mysticism is more felt today. Paulo Coelho, a famous Brazilian novelist, has cleverly taken the advantage of this and situation and started to write apparently mystical novels to fill the existing spiritual vacuum. He has borrowed his mystical thoughts from indigenous cultural elements and religious beliefs of any religion and region. Shamanism, Taoism and Indian (Native Americans) mysticism are among the beliefs which have greatly influenced his thought and works. Naturalism, magic and sorcery, drugs, dance, music, and free sexual relations are common elements of Shamanism, Taoism, and Indian mysticism and, of course, they have been extensively reflected in Paulo Coelho's mystical literature.