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Siddhartha
This classic novel of self-discovery has inspired generations of seekers. With parallels to the enlightenment of the Buddha, Hesse's Siddhartha is the story of a young Brahmn's quest for the ultimate reality. His quest takes him from the extremes of indulgent sensuality to the rigors of ascetism and self-denial. At last he learns that wisdom cannot be taught-it must come from one's own experience and inner struggle. Steeped in the tenets of both psychoanalysis and Eastern mysticism, Siddhartha presents a strikingly original view of man and culture, and the arduous process of self-discovery that leads to reconciliation, harmony and peace. Considered to be a classic of 20th-century fiction, Hesse's most celebrated work reflects his lifelong studies of Oriental myth and religion.
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Community Reviews
This was a nice re-read. I read this book back in high school and loved it, so I wanted to read again from a different lens of understanding. There were so many relatable themes in Siddharta, but one of the main themes that I apply to my daily life is always to be true to yourself and don't place such a high value on worldly possessions and lifestyles. In this new age of social media, we often tend to feel the need to live up to certain standards. When we do so, we take away from our true calling and desires. Be yourself, and don't feel such a need to put on, as we never know what those people are dealing with to get to where they are!
What is the best quality of this book?
Well, it flows like water. An essential symbol in the book.
Hesse's really unbelievable achievment. Ah! the prose is more of a verse here for me.
Well, it flows like water. An essential symbol in the book.
Hesse's really unbelievable achievment. Ah! the prose is more of a verse here for me.
I got this book for my birthday from a good friend of mine, and what a present it turned out to be. What a great book with a lot of wisdom contained inside.
“It took awhile to get past the "holy" mumb jumbo-ness and just allow the story to unfold into the bittersweet tale of "seeking and finding" that it is.
"Have you too," he asked him once, "have you to learned this secret from the river:
that time does not exist?"
Vaudeva's face broke into a radiant smile. "Yes, Siddhartha," he said.
"Is this what you mean: that the river is in all places at once, at its source and where it flows into the sea, at the waterfall, at the ferry, at the rapids, in the ocean, in the mountains, everywhere at once, so for the river there is only the present moment and not the shadow of a future"
"It is," Siddhartha said. "And once I learned this I considered my life, and it too was a river, and it too was a river, and the boy Siddhartha was separated from the man Siddhartha only by shadows..."”
"Have you too," he asked him once, "have you to learned this secret from the river:
that time does not exist?"
Vaudeva's face broke into a radiant smile. "Yes, Siddhartha," he said.
"Is this what you mean: that the river is in all places at once, at its source and where it flows into the sea, at the waterfall, at the ferry, at the rapids, in the ocean, in the mountains, everywhere at once, so for the river there is only the present moment and not the shadow of a future"
"It is," Siddhartha said. "And once I learned this I considered my life, and it too was a river, and it too was a river, and the boy Siddhartha was separated from the man Siddhartha only by shadows..."”
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