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A review by cambrio3
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
3.0
Siddhartha is a short tale full of analogies and meaning. It follows the wanderings of Siddhartha from youth to old age. He transitions through different phases of life in the quest for wisdom and peace.
At first, Siddhartha marshals his body and thoughts with discipline. He is a master of self-control. He leaves his home with his close friend Govinda to look for meaning.
Having lived among the ascetics and meeting Guatama, the Buddha, he sets out once again to find answers on his own. He leaves his friend behind as a disciple of the Buddha.
Seeing Kamala, a beautiful woman, Siddhartha attempts to learn how to please her. She tells him he must dress well, make money, and bring her presents. Then she will school him in the ways of pleasure.
Thus begins a more hedonic chapter of Siddhartha's life. He learns to do business and to take pleasure from the body. This period lasts for many years, until one day when he sees the hollowness of this lifestyle. Siddhartha's heart is no longer happy. It is tormented by simple emotions.
Again, Siddhartha leaves everything behind on the search for wisdom.
Falling into a depression by a river. Siddhartha nearly jumps in to end his life. But before this ultimate step, he hears the river 'speak' and comes back from the abyss.
Near the talking river, Siddhartha begins a practice of meditation, humility, and observation. He apprentices the ferryman Vasudeva. The flow of the river is as the flow of time and life. Siddhartha learns not to hold on too dearly to the objects of life that will ultimately leave him. He sees the oneness of all things when comparing his son's departure to that of his own flight from his father.
Everyone is thus a seeker. The cycle repeats.
Finally, Siddhartha is left marked by wisdom; content, blissful, and at peace.
Govinda, on bidding farewell to Siddhartha for the last time, sees thousands of faces in the face of his friend. He sees that all is one and that Siddhartha has attained enlightenment.
It is a long life Siddhartha lives in this short book. Hopefully, yours and mine will be as full and varied.
Salient themes include the search for meaning in life, the oneness of all things, grief, love, wisdom vs. knowledge, and time.
I've read this book a few times, and I'm sure I'll read it a few times more. A light and undaunting book that nevertheless leaves the reader pondering the big questions.
At first, Siddhartha marshals his body and thoughts with discipline. He is a master of self-control. He leaves his home with his close friend Govinda to look for meaning.
Having lived among the ascetics and meeting Guatama, the Buddha, he sets out once again to find answers on his own. He leaves his friend behind as a disciple of the Buddha.
Seeing Kamala, a beautiful woman, Siddhartha attempts to learn how to please her. She tells him he must dress well, make money, and bring her presents. Then she will school him in the ways of pleasure.
Thus begins a more hedonic chapter of Siddhartha's life. He learns to do business and to take pleasure from the body. This period lasts for many years, until one day when he sees the hollowness of this lifestyle. Siddhartha's heart is no longer happy. It is tormented by simple emotions.
Again, Siddhartha leaves everything behind on the search for wisdom.
Falling into a depression by a river. Siddhartha nearly jumps in to end his life. But before this ultimate step, he hears the river 'speak' and comes back from the abyss.
Near the talking river, Siddhartha begins a practice of meditation, humility, and observation. He apprentices the ferryman Vasudeva. The flow of the river is as the flow of time and life. Siddhartha learns not to hold on too dearly to the objects of life that will ultimately leave him. He sees the oneness of all things when comparing his son's departure to that of his own flight from his father.
Everyone is thus a seeker. The cycle repeats.
Finally, Siddhartha is left marked by wisdom; content, blissful, and at peace.
Govinda, on bidding farewell to Siddhartha for the last time, sees thousands of faces in the face of his friend. He sees that all is one and that Siddhartha has attained enlightenment.
It is a long life Siddhartha lives in this short book. Hopefully, yours and mine will be as full and varied.
Salient themes include the search for meaning in life, the oneness of all things, grief, love, wisdom vs. knowledge, and time.
I've read this book a few times, and I'm sure I'll read it a few times more. A light and undaunting book that nevertheless leaves the reader pondering the big questions.