1 4 S p i r i t ua l i t y S t u d i e s 8 - 1 S p r i n g 2 0 2 2 Alternative Spiritualities in Paulo Coelho’s Texts Gurpyari Bhatnagar Received March 23, 2022 Revised April 3, 2022 Accepted April 4, 2022 Key words Alternative spirituality, mysticism, magic, psychedelics A new kind of literature has emerged in the contemporary age, which allows its readers to explore religion beyond its rigidly codified definitions. This literature disclaims the fixed logos of theological perspective and delves into unconventional spiritualities. The paper aims at providing insights on alternative spiritualities as explored by Paulo Coelho in his novels, The Alchemist, The Zahir, The Witch of Portobello, and Brida. It also examines the reasons for change in the religious or spiritual identity of the major characters in these novels. While being appreciative of Coelho’s disengagement of religion from patriarchal conditions, external ritualism, and dogmatic restrictions, the paper also critiques the practice of breaking away from religion to find answers to age-old questions surrounding the soul and human existence in alternatives such as psychedelically induced mysticism, witchcraft, and magic. Gurpyari Bhatnagar, PhD, serves as Assistant Professor at Sharda University, India. Over her 15 years of teaching career, she has taught courses in literary theory and criticism, classical literature, mythology, and consciousness studies. She has presented her consciousness studies research at the series of The Science of Consciousness conferences and the Dayalbagh Science of Consciousness conferences. Her email contact is gurpyari.bhatnagar11@gmail. com.
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