The Pilgrimage

The book starts as he fails his initiation into the order Regnus Agnus Mundi (RAM) and is then told he must complete the pilgrimage to gain the right of admission.

He begins his journey with a guide, also a member of RAM, who goes by the alias Petrus. During the journey Petrus shows him meditation exercises and introduces him to some of the more down-to-earth elements of Western mystical thought and philosophy.

There are described eleven RAM exercises/rituals in the book and they are presented in such order:

• The Seed Exercise
• The Speed Exercise
• The Cruelty Exercise
• The Messenger Ritual
• The Arousal of Intuition(The Water Exercise)
• The Blue Sphere Exercise
• The Buried Alive Exercise
• The RAM Breathing Exercise
• The Shadows Exercise
• The Listening Exercise
• The Dance Exercise

Paulo Coelho mentions that all these exercises can be carried out except "The Messenger Ritual", which should not be carried out under any circumstances as its description is incomplete and it will not bring positive results.