Laura Sheahen

You also say people should watch for omens. Can you describe what you mean by omens?

Omens are the individual language in which God talks to you. My omens are not your omens. They are this strange, but very individual language that guides you towards your own destiny.

The Alchemist talks about the principle of favourability, which is sort of like “beginner’s luck.” What would you say to people who feel they have never experienced beginner’s luck? People who feel that every time they try to move toward a dream, they’re blocked?

Try again. [laughs] Because when you’re really close to what God meant to you to be here, you are going to experience beginner’s luck.

Are there any thoughts for a film production of your books?

Lawrence Fishburne is now going to be producing The Alchemist for Warner Brothers. It is the only book that I sold the rights and I have no intention to sell [more]. It was the very beginning of my international career and of course, you think that it’s so important to have a book as a movie. But then I realised that this is not very important. What is important is that the reader is the director and the person who does the casting and everything.

Eleven Minutes wants to bring sexuality and spirituality to a healthier place. How can this happen?

Well, by accepting that sex is a physical manifestation of God, and that is not a sin-it is a blessing. And then by understanding that except for two things that I consider to be really sick — rape and paedophilia — you are free to be creative. It’s up to you, how you do this. — Beliefnet.com, concluded