3,5 Stars

At first, it pushed me away a little, but then I developed an interest. It conveys some messages or rather teachings that make you think. A sweet little story with a deeper meaning!!

This article seems to be a review of something, perhaps a book or a movie. The initial reaction was a bit lukewarm, but as the experience progressed, there was a growing curiosity. The work in question appears to have something valuable to offer, in the form of messages or teachings that have the power to stimulate thought. It's described as a sweet little story, which implies that it has an endearing quality, yet it also has a deeper meaning that adds an extra layer of significance. Overall, it seems to be a work that has the potential to engage and启迪 the reader or viewer.

Hermann Hesse’s 1922 book truly feels like a work that transcends time and age. It is almost on par with a religious or spiritual text, rather than just a fictional piece.

The story follows the lifelong journey of Siddhartha, the son of a Brahmin. He leaves the comfortable and intellectually stimulating environment of his home to become a wandering ascetic, giving up all his possessions. After encountering the famous Buddha, Gautama, Siddhartha realizes that he desires or requires something more. With the help of a ferryman (who allows him to cross the river for free, believing he will return and pay in another way), he crosses the river and immerses himself in city life. There, he engages in a long affair with a beautiful courtesan and works for a ruthless businessman. He experiences mind-blowing sex, accumulates wealth, and adorns himself in fine clothes, yet he remains unfulfilled. In fact, he descends into despair. Then, upon revisiting the river where he was years earlier and meeting the same wise but uneducated ferryman who assisted him in crossing, Siddhartha has a kind of epiphany. People from his earlier life eventually find him by the river, and he gains a more complete and profound understanding of the nature of time, life, and suffering. He also reconnects with a childhood friend, now a Buddhist monk, who recognizes true enlightenment in Siddhartha.

This is such an unusual yet powerful book. It is quiet, but it is filled with profound insights into what is ultimately important in life. It is easy to see how this book would have struck a chord with generations of young people in the 1960s who were searching for meaning in a society that was overly focused on wealth and power.

It makes one think about essential matters: How significant are possessions? What is the purpose of pain and hardship? Does learning only occur within the confines of a classroom?

Although it is a slim volume, it is written in a clear and timeless prose, and it is brimming with wisdom. I will undoubtedly be returning to it in the years to come, eager to discover new layers of understanding and inspiration.

It was truly beautiful, really.

As I read it, a sense of tranquility was infused into my soul and spirit. I loved it so much that I will read it again soon.

This piece of writing had a certain charm that captivated me from the very beginning.

The words seemed to dance on the page, creating a vivid and enchanting image in my mind.

It was as if I was transported to another world, a world filled with peace and beauty.

Every sentence was carefully crafted, and the author's use of language was truly remarkable.

I found myself completely immersed in the story, unable to tear myself away.

Even after I finished reading, the words continued to linger in my thoughts, leaving a lasting impression on me.

I can't wait to pick it up again and experience that same sense of wonder and delight.

Siddhartha was a seeker. At one point, he indulged in materialism and hedonistic living. Maybe, in a way, that was also a form of seeking. Then he heard about enlightenment and desired it, so he thought becoming a Buddhist was the way.

I, too, was once a seeker. I started as a Christian, then became an atheist, next a Buddhist, a Neo-Hindu, a Unitarian Universalist, and now I have just a few beliefs, mostly influenced by Native American teachings.

I liked the ending of Siddhartha's life the best. He became a ferryman. It seemed as if he, too, gave up his search for the meaning of life and simply lived. Some claim he became enlightened on that river, becoming one with nature. If that's true, it must have been an amazing experience. But I feel that no one truly has the answer to questions like: What is enlightenment? What is the meaning of life? Who am I?

"In the shade of a banyan tree, a grizzled ferryman sits listening to the river. Some say he's a sage. He was once a wandering shramana and, briefly, like thousands of others, he followed Gotama the Buddha, enraptured by his sermons. But this man, Siddhartha, was not a follower of any but his own soul." - Siddhartha

When I walked away from all religions, one day I sat down and thought about what I believed. I came to the conclusion that all that matters in life is caring for others and the earth, and mostly, just do no harm.

None of the above is easy, but it's easier than seeking answers to big questions and dealing with organizations that try to take away your freedom of thinking.

"Truth is a pathless land, and you cannot approach it by any path whatsoever, by any religion, by any sect. Truth, being limitless, unconditional, unapproachable by any path whatsoever, cannot be organized; nor should any organization be forced to lead or to coerce people along any particular path." ~~J. Krishnamurti

**"Siddhartha: A Journey of Self-Discovery"**

Siddhartha, a young man, is disillusioned with the teachings of the Brahmins. He feels that knowledge cannot be taught but must be experienced.

He leaves his home and begins a journey in search of truth and enlightenment.

Along the way, he meets many people, including Govinda, who becomes his friend.

Siddhartha tries different ways of life, such as asceticism and hedonism, but he finds that none of them bring him true happiness.

He realizes that the only way to find inner peace is to look within himself.

He eventually learns to listen to the river, which teaches him the importance of patience, acceptance, and living in the present moment.

Siddhartha discovers that the meaning and truth are not hidden behind things but are within them.

He also realizes that every experience, whether it is痛苦 or joy, is a part of the journey towards enlightenment.

In the end, Siddhartha becomes one with the river and achieves enlightenment.

He returns to the world to share his wisdom with others.

The story of Siddhartha is a powerful reminder that we all have the potential to find inner peace and enlightenment if we are willing to look within ourselves and listen to the teachings of nature.

4.5 STARS

This book, which I had hoped would be the last of the year, really challenged me in coming to a conclusion and giving it the rating it deserves. I'm tough, but I try to reevaluate and not become absolute and unyielding.

The book tells the same story that all great books tell about the corruption of man, both within the homogeneous system of singularity, the acquisition of knowledge and the discovery of oneself, and in the intensity of the world. You can't be in one without having passed through the other, no matter which side you take. Nor can you speak so incessantly, love to hear the sound of your voice, and demand the attention of others without having learned to listen. And these things don't happen one without the other. Knowledge and experience go hand in hand, each baptized in the other, thus forming opinions, thus we step firmly on the paths and learn that difficulties are not more serious than we can bear and to thank Divine Providence that they are not more. Another important lesson of this batch of books is that our role is not that of the judge. Who am I to judge? I can move forward and the power is not annulled by patience. Two values are, neither interdependent nor mutually exclusive.

I wanted to devalue it because my previous experience with The Essays was not good, characterizing it as lyrical. Later I realized that he does it on purpose. It's not just lyrical where it's needed and perhaps in some places where it's not needed, it's easy to read, it flows. It's the same trick that our own Xenopoulos used to make his works accessible to the child, to the petrol station attendant, to the intelligent person, to train each one in what they can.

Miller was right, this book says important things in a more beautiful and harder way than the Bible. This and Zantingh should be in all schools.

For me personally, the book is a bit, I learned my lesson from my life and from other very great writers. However, every repetition is good, it helps in the sedimentation.

And one more thing, there are many lost people out there, alone or misdirected in the connection of the world that was characterized by the great Kavafis. This book can be read by everyone. Give it away.

My love, my respect to those who are better than me and more tortured and have a good year. These next days deserve the color we will give them and this should be only companionship and love. We can set goals and apologize every day, as a friend taught me, this is not the value of the day or the holidays.

Finally, I would like to say a few words about how this book came into my hands. There is a "custom" in the Library Lounge ( http://www.λέσχη.gr/forum/ ) regarding the participation of members by suggesting three books of their choice and then a draw is made as to who gets which. I wouldn't have read it differently, I would have rejected it. Isn't that terrible? It's because I have a friend who was torn apart by people and I have a former who was broken by the circumstances. None of them read, how could they now start with a Red and Black, or the Lost Illusions, or the Manual of Practical Wisdom and the Mystical Life. Difficult books that require our own "masochism" dear fellow readers. However, this book and Zantingh I will insist are easy and worthy books even for people who may never read again.

“‘Yes, Siddhartha,' he said. 'Is this what you mean? That the river is everywhere at the same time, at the source and at the mouth, at the waterfall, at the ferry, at the current, in the ocean and in the mountains, everywhere, and that the present only exists for it, not the shadow of the past, nor the shadow of the future?’”

This story was beautifully told and incredibly thought provoking! It makes us stop and think about the nature of time and existence. The river is used as a powerful metaphor here. It shows us that the river is not confined to a single place or moment. It exists in all its forms and locations simultaneously. Just like the river, our lives are also a continuous flow. The past and the future are just shadows that do not truly exist in the present moment. We should focus on the here and now, appreciate the beauty and significance of each present moment, and not be overly burdened by the memories of the past or the uncertainties of the future. This story serves as a gentle reminder to live in the present and find peace and fulfillment in the current moment.

3.0/5 stars.
also spoilers!!!!!!

Let me pose this question: Why did the main character have the same name as the Buddha, live during the same time as the Buddha, yet not be the Buddha? This is an important clarification as I was truly confused.

This is a fictional novel that portrays a subjective religious experience. It is very much about Buddhism and centers around Buddhist ideas, but it is not meant to be a basic introduction to Buddhism. It's not scripture. As with every anecdote about any religion, there are nuances and personal interpretations.

That being said, it's really quite strange. There are elements that seem very odd today and would have been even more so in 1922. I'm not sure what Hesse was thinking, but more importantly, do you think he'd share?

Essentially, Siddharta is a young man boy, perhaps 16, when he gets a bit bored. So, he leaves his family to go live in the forest for a while to seek enlightenment, starving himself and such, with his "friend" Govinda accompanying him. After a few years, they grow tired of this as they're still not enlightened, so they go to meet the Buddha. Govinda, his lover friend, joins the Buddha, but Siddharta simply says "nah, he's not right though" and continues his spiritual journey alone. Then, Siddharta has a dream where he kisses Govinda, who then turns into a woman, from whom he then breastfeeds (it might not have been a spiritual awakening in the traditional sense, but it was some kind of awakening). Siddharta then moves on to live in a town, where he falls in love with a prostitute named Kamala and has to become a capitalist to be able to pay her. He lives in a miserable cycle of hedonism for over a decade until suddenly he realizes he's still not enlightened. Then BOOM! Guess who's pregnant? But by now Siddharta is long gone, living as a ferryman because the other ferryman is his sort of armchair psychologist and he stopped taking his meds the river "speaks" to him. He does this for about 10 or so years before BOOM! Kam and the kid that he didn't know he had show up and Kam gets bitten by a snake and dies. Now there are two and a half men living in one tent: the original ferryman, Siddharta, and his kid. Basically, they carry on for a few years, but the deeply traumatized child doesn't bond with Siddharta as he'd like, so the 11/12-year-old child steals the boat and runs off (never to be seen again), and apparently, we're okay with that. Then the original ferryman is like "you're now responsible for the river, I'm ascending lolol" and walks off into the forest, also never to be seen again. Then one day, guess who shows up needing a ferry? None other than his long-lost love, govinda (love the reunion trope). Then they touch foreheads and kiss and Siddharta says that he's discovered that the most important thing in life is love. The end.

And that's a fairly accurate summary. Except that technically, "no, Caitlin, they're not homosexuals, blah blah blah, this is about religion, blah blah blah..."

But what I'm hearing is that both you and Hesse need to do some serious internal reflection as to why they "can't" be gay. Because that was more homoerotic than anything I've ever seen in my entire life and I'm firmly standing my ground on this.

Not to mention, it's so incredibly far from passing the Bechdel test. It doesn't even pass the Sexy Lamp test. Without exaggeration, the one and only female character's entire purpose is to sleep/have a child with the male main character. Sigh.

So yeah, it was kind of fun, I guess?
But I can't be the only one who thought it was strange to have a straight, white, Christian German write a book about what seemed like rather "fruity" brown Buddhists.

From the book:

When someone is seeking something, it is very likely that his eyes are not open except to his desired goal. And because of this, he cannot find anything else and reach his heart, because he does not think except about what he is seeking. He has a specific intention and is focused on that. Life is about having an intention. Now, finding a time when you are free from the goal and can open your heart is easy.

However, we often get so caught up in our pursuits that we forget to look around and notice the other beautiful things in life. We become so fixated on achieving our goals that we忽略了 the journey itself. It is important to take a step back sometimes and allow ourselves to be open to new experiences and possibilities. This way, we can not only achieve our goals but also find true happiness and fulfillment in life.

I was fully anticipating to despise this novel, regarding it as nothing but a piece of hippie Orientalist trash. I have listened to far too many glib speeches about the wisdom of the East from an excessive number of individuals whose minds have been deranged by an overabundance of substances. Fortunately for me—or perhaps unfortunately, given my perverse enjoyment of penning negative reviews—I found the book to be rather good.

First and foremost, Siddhartha is an impactful and innovative novel. Hesse's prose flows forward like, well… a river. It is hypnotic and exquisitely suited to the subject matter. Any excellent story contains drama, and Hesse effectively dramatizes the inner thoughts of his protagonist. The resulting impetus combines the suspense of a mystery novel—will he attain enlightenment? What will it entail?—with the allure of a fine Bildungsroman. Well done, Hermann.

The spiritual aspect of the novel is also remarkable. Most of the time, such things end up as a string of platitudinous, watered-down philosophy. But Hesse has dedicated some effort and time to his own spiritual journey, and it shows. The successive states through which Siddhartha progresses are believable and tangible. And his final words to Govinda have all the impact of the massive orchestral crescendo and triumphant piano chord that concludes the Beatles' “A Day in the Life”. Both in content and form, it is extremely well executed. Yes, there is a contradiction in the end: Siddhartha claims that his wisdom cannot be taught, and then proceeds to teach it. (Plus, the entire book is an attempt to impart wisdom.) But it sounds great on paper, so what the heck.

Whether or not Hesse accurately depicted the tenets of Buddhism or ancient India—I couldn't care less. He is not a theologian, nor is he a historian. He is a novelist. And this is a damn fine novel.

Hermann Hesse has a unique writing style that makes it seem as if his words are coming from a god's perspective. However, I personally don't believe in god. In fact, for the most part, I find the concept of god rather boring. I often wonder if most people like this book not because they truly appreciate its content but rather because they are afraid of looking dumb if they don't. It seems that in society, there is a certain pressure to conform and like what is considered "good" or "important." But for me, I prefer to form my own opinions based on my own experiences and beliefs. Just because a book is highly regarded doesn't mean it will resonate with me. I would rather explore different works and find those that speak to me on a deeper level, regardless of what others may think.

Hermann Hesse may have his fans, but I will continue to be true to myself in my literary preferences.

“Your soul is the whole world”

For a long time, numerous people have recommended this book to me. I must confess that I'm slightly disappointed with the reading experience. Perhaps it's because my expectations were extremely high, considering that all the wise and profound individuals I know seem to hold it in great admiration. When I was younger, during high school, I read Steppenwolf and was completely in awe of Hesse's writing. I regarded him as one of the most sagacious writers I had ever encountered. Later, in college, I attempted to read The Glass Bead Game and equally adored it, but unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to finish it.

In terms of theme, this book is very much to my liking. It combines psychological development with the spiritual path of Buddhism, which is right up my alley. However, I wasn't as captivated by Hesse's writing in this particular work. I found it to be less profound than in his other books, even though it explores a similar niche of self-discovery. Maybe this is due to my evolution as a reader, as I have already read a number of books that delve into the same subject matter. Or perhaps Hesse's writing is indeed a bit uneven. I would like to give some of his other books another try to test these theories.

This book contains high-quality ideas, but for some reason, they didn't resonate with me as strongly as I had hoped. I think the main reason is that I couldn't connect with the main character, Siddhartha. I found him to be self-conceived, arrogant, almost incapable of love, and I greatly disliked the underlying storyline of his predetermined extraordinariness and specialty. His superiority over the other "ordinary" men is established early on, and in my opinion, the division between the preordained chosen ones and regular people is malignant. Any separation that makes us believe there are inherently two kinds of people can cause an inferiority complex in those who don't view themselves in that way and grandiosity in others who think being special means not being a true self but establishing a difference (basically meaning superiority) from others.

''But still he had felt different from and superior to the others; always he had watched them with some mockery, some mocking disdain, with the same disdain which a Samana constantly feels for the people of the world.''

It is of utmost importance to recognize that there are no two kinds of people. Every person, at their core, is special, chosen to be alive, and called to the path of maturation and individuation. In a way, Siddhartha does come to a shift in perspective as he learns to appreciate "common" people, but for me, it was too little too late. He had already displayed too much annoying narcissism, which may be characteristic of everyone who perceives themselves as awakened. Especially Siddhartha's relationship with Govinda displayed inequality, as Govinda was always a subordinate, bland, and unspecial character. In contrast to Govinda, I didn't project numinous characteristics onto Siddhartha. My feelings were more in line with this statement: But he, Siddhartha, was not a source of joy for himself, he found no delight in himself.

I'm glad we agree on this, Siddhartha. I really haven't found any delight in him as a character, no matter how hard I tried. But maybe that was Hesse's intention, to evoke in the reader similar feelings and perceptions as Siddhartha had of himself? I know that in the storyline, he reached his true inner self, but for me, that wasn't the most convincing process, even though there were real moments of transcendence. Maybe that's also the point, that the meaning of life is not attainable in a continuous manner but only in small fragments of time, as these moments are what make life worth living. I would say I like the whole narrative if all the other characters are regarded as symbolic, representing the inner archetypes within Siddhartha. I highly appreciate and agree with the main idea that one cannot regain true wisdom and authenticity simply by following spiritual teachings and religious practices.

''To reach this place, the self, myself, the Atman, there was another way, which was worthwhile looking for? Alas, and nobody showed this way, nobody knew it, not the father, and not the teachers and wise men, not the holy sacrificial songs!''

Siddartha comes to this realization early on as he observes that many people follow Buddha, understand and adhere to his teachings, but the end result of their paths varies greatly. They don't possess the same charisma, influence, or awakeness.

''Thousands of followers are listening to his teachings every day, follow his instructions every hour, but they are all falling leaves, not in themselves they have teachings and a law.''

The ideas of Buddhism are intelligently incorporated into the book, but they are also blended with Jungian individuation and excerpts of Nietzschean philosophy. Different concepts are not forced upon the character (or the readers). Instead, Siddhartha discovers them through his own experiences rather than through an understanding of others. So, the path we follow should always be our own, personal, and individual, as there is no teaching in this world that can give us true wisdom without an authentic intrapersonal transformational process. Subjective truth gained through experience is valued more than memorized knowledge that contains the insights of others.

''Look, my dear Govinda, this is one of my thoughts, which I have found: wisdom cannot be passed on. Wisdom which a wise man tries to pass on to someone always sounds like foolishness.''

''Knowledge can be conveyed, but not wisdom. It can be found, it can be lived, it is possible to be carried by it, miracles can be performed with it, but it cannot be expressed in words and taught.''

In the beginning, Siddhartha, through his dissatisfaction with both himself and his environment, comes to the realization that the world is merely a stage, a theatre of masks, full of personas living false, inauthentic lives. Even the wisest and most spiritual people are not immune to this kind of deceit. He experiences an existential crisis as he faces the reality of life that seems to repeat itself in circles. His crises serve as a good example of the painful events that are an inherent part of psychological maturation, as deeply questioning one's life leads to freedom. The Buddhist path to eliminate suffering, which has some elements that I don't agree with, leads the main character to explore himself and gain a more balanced perspective that transcends the limits of thinking in black and white. Traditionally, the Buddhist attempt to eliminate the ego and desire is transformed into an acceptance and integration of the wholeness of oneself, as all parts play an important role in attaining self-knowledge and wisdom, which is more in line with a Jungian and Nietzschean viewpoint. Siddhartha's process of engagement goes through different phases - hedonistic, nihilistic, mystic, rational, relational, and meaningful. In each stage, he explores an archetype/complex that is part of himself - Brahman, Shaman, rich man, gambler, ferryman. I like that Siddhartha's spiritual revelations were not earth-shattering, as he often struggled after them just as he did before. I also appreciate the fact that he explored vastly different aspects of himself - the dark, vain, and lustful sides - in order to reach his ultimate, true Self. Both good and bad experiences, progression and regression, play an immense role in enlightenment and the great cycle of life. No stage in life is futile or isolated, and no person is simply evil or virtuous. This book can serve as a good example for both individuation and the spiritual journey, but I would recommend it more to those who are beginners in the exploration of psychology or/and spirituality. I see it more as an introduction, perhaps not for someone deeply engaged in these topics. I can envision myself reading this book 10 years ago and being completely fascinated by it. I would say that at that time, the book would have had a much greater impact on me. But in today's age, I have already read a lot of material of this kind, so the ideas are not new to me. However, I will humble myself and admit that this book is still a great accomplishment, and many people would benefit greatly from reading it. Always look inward, as neither Hesse nor Buddha/Jung/Nietzsche can give you enlightenment; they can only point you in the direction of it.

“You know how to talk wisely, my friend. Be aware of too much wisdom!”