Siddhartha embarks on a journey to explore diverse ways of life. He tries becoming a monk, hoping to find spiritual enlightenment and true happiness. However, he discovers that the ascetic life of a monk does not bring him the fulfillment he desires.

He then turns to a life of luxury, indulging in material possessions and worldly pleasures. But again, he realizes that this too fails to provide him with the lasting happiness he seeks.

Siddhartha comes to understand that wisdom is not something that can be obtained from books or teachers. Instead, it is gained through directly experiencing and feeling life in all its aspects.

He realizes that everything in the world is interconnected, and that the present moment is the only thing that truly exists.

Paying close attention to nature, people, and emotions becomes crucial for Siddhartha. By observing the world around him and tuning into his own inner experiences, he gains profound insights.

Deep listening and being fully present in each moment allow Siddhartha to connect with others on a deeper level and find inner peace.

The ability to think deeply, be patient, and act decisively is also essential for Siddhartha's success. These qualities enable him to make wise choices and navigate through life's challenges.

Ultimately, Siddhartha learns that the most valuable lessons come from living authentically, accepting everything that happens, and feeling a sense of connection to the world around him.

A leitura desta obra ocorreu devido a um episódio interessante. Às vezes, tenho a tendência de pegar no primeiro livro que vejo na estante e começar a ler. E, para minha surpresa, este livro não estava nem sequer na minha lista de livros que tenho em casa. Eu sou bastante obsessiva em manter essa lista, então fiquei muito espantada.

Bem, acabei iniciando a leitura. Devo ter lido cerca de dez páginas quando finalmente percebi que estava começando a ler um romance filosófico. Como nunca tinha lido nada sobre essa obra, fiquei um pouco confusa. Não sabia exatamente o que estava lendo. Foi apenas lendo aos poucos, quando tinha tempo, que fui me dando conta do assunto.

Só hoje, quando retomei a leitura, percebi o que estava lendo e, de alguma forma, fiquei completamente envolvida nas páginas. Queria saber o que tantas reflexões levaria a e não fiquei desiludida. Concordava com algumas coisas, não tanto com outras, mas minha conclusão é que estava precisando ler esse livro. Ele me deu muito em que pensar e isso é algo que valorizo muito hoje em dia!

Whatever. Life is full of various experiences and encounters. Samana, a name that might carry certain significance for some. Blah blah blah. Kamala, perhaps another person or concept that holds meaning in a particular context. Blah blah blah. Samsara, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, a profound idea in some religions and philosophies. Blah blah blah. The River, a symbol of flowing and change, ever-moving and dynamic. Blah blah blah. Om, a sacred sound in Hinduism and other spiritual traditions, representing the essence of the universe. These words and concepts, though perhaps seemingly random at first glance, can all have deep and profound meanings that touch upon different aspects of our lives and our understanding of the world around us.

Siddhartha is an extremely philosophical book with profound spiritual concepts, and I'm sure the German text is also a difficult and literary one.

There is no doubt about Mr. Soroush Habibi's ability to translate. I also read Herman Hesse's previous book (My Friend's Story) with Habibi's translation, but this book has been translated in such a way that it feels like you are reading a nightmare or the memoirs of the saints. For example, some of the words used such as "fruits", "mysterious thoughts", "falsities", and words like these that couldn't be found even in Dehkhoda's dictionary. This situation has caused the study of this small book to take almost a month for me.

The translation that we have, all the important words of the book were in the last 20 pages. Before reaching that part, I wanted to give it 2 stars, but now my opinion has changed. Of course, this is also not good and it shows that the author has been redundant in some places.

The ultimate spirituality that Siddhartha has been seeking from the beginning and finally reaches is nothing but the understanding of the value of the present moment. That all the phenomena of the world, both small and large, are living, and there is no future and past at all, and everything is now and in this very moment.

"Today, however, he only arrived at one of the many secrets of the river, and it mastered his soul. He saw that the river is constantly flowing and yet it is always there, always the same and yet new at every moment."

"... I looked at my life and saw it as a river, and I saw that the Siddharthas of childhood, of youth, and of old age were only separated by a shadow, not by a real distance. There were other Siddharthas too, in former births, who were not in the past. His death and his return to the near were also not in the future. Nothing had been and nothing would be. Everything is. The existence of everything is only in the present."

Siddhartha? Am I, Govinda, still such a dumbshit that even in my advanced age I do not recognize thee yet again and must I continually play the fool for the didactic purposes of this story, even though my hair is grey and my travels many?

Perhaps it is so, my oldest friend. But I do not judge Mr. Hesse too harshly. He is yet one of the many voices in the stream of life. He is trying to distill the voices of humanity into a great Om of pidgen, monotonal kitsch language and dialogue, and does so repetitively, so that the great masses might hear his message.

Ah, my old friend Siddhartha, it makes sense to me now. Although it does seem to me that a great number of Buddhist terms are placed in our mouths by Mr. Hesse without sufficient explanation of them for the uninitiated, but I suppose context is everything.

Tis so. But again, do not judge him too much. This was but a baby step in teaching those in the West about the ways of the East. And, quite frankly, Mr. Hesse rather rocks for allowing me to repeatedly taste of the nectar of the finest courtesan, she whose mouth is like a fig.

Moreover, we should look at the bigger picture. Mr. Hesse's work has introduced many people to the concepts and ideas that we hold dear.

Even if his portrayal may not be entirely accurate or comprehensive, it has still sparked curiosity and interest in the minds of many.

This, in turn, has led to further exploration and understanding of our teachings.

So, let us not be too critical of his efforts, but rather appreciate the role that his work has played in spreading our message.

Once again, reading this book for me, who is in my forties and has passed through the golden era of the post-revolutionary years;

I was like the Seydarats and Sajadah-nishins, and after years of reforms and the dark and fiery nights of the eighties and nineties, I had become someone else again, just like the Seydarats!

It was interesting... As if you were watching the days of your life again, as said in the hadiths of others... Now, whether we will reach our time again like the Seydarats or not, I don't know...

But for many of my contemporaries, who in their youth, although a little, were covered with inner and monotheistic beliefs, and later, they put aside their ideological baggage to live like Adam and let time pass;

Reading or rereading the Seydarats with the delicious translation of Mr. Habibi will be touching and desirable.

A profound book indeed. I am truly amazed that I had never delved into it until now. "Siddhartha" is the captivating story of a man who must traverse all the highs and lows of life before attaining enlightenment. He takes on the role of a beggar to experience poverty and the pangs of hunger. Then, he transforms into a rich merchant to understand the nature of work and the allure of luxury, and even engages in a passionate affair with a beautiful woman. Subsequently, he renounces all of this and becomes a humble ferryman.

The journey towards his ultimate enlightenment is utterly enthralling. In fact, it is, for lack of a better word - beautiful. The idea of calmly listening to a river sounds so peaceful. This quote lies at the heart of the entire book. And perhaps it offers a better way to live:

"And this is now a teaching you will laugh about: love, oh Govinda, seems to me to be the most important thing of all. To thoroughly understand the world, to explain it, to despise it, may be the thing great thinkers do. But I’m only interested in being able to love the world, not to despise it, not to hate it and me, to be able to look upon it and me and all beings with love and admiration and great respect."

I must admit I had high expectations for this (I've always regarded Hesse's Steppenwolf as an all-time favorite). But perhaps I have only myself to blame, as the title had already given me a hint: this is a poem, yet I couldn't help but read it as if it were a novel. This book doesn't offer explanations; instead, it sings. And, I have to say, I don't really care for the tune.

There are numerous dreamy passages, metaphors, and cycles of reasoning. We run, life runs, the river runs, and we run in the river of life that flows within us. That kind of thing. The repetitions are far more artistic and pleasing to the ear than what I've just described, but since I read an English translation (albeit a very good one), some of the original artistry inevitably gets lost.

I think Hermann Hesse himself might not have been entirely sure what to make of the text he created. I keep wondering if he considered himself to be "wise" and "enlightened." He certainly gives off that impression for most of the book, which I suppose was necessary to give the work any impact. He has definitely gathered a following through this poem, but I struggle to see exactly what it is that is so convincing, captivating, or attractive. Let alone life-changing. Om? It's a bit too vague, isn't it? It's like a cloud. I wonder how one can change their life after reading this. I can't seem to find a practical way - clinging to clouds has proven to be futile time and again. Maybe in a philosophical sense, where simply seeing the cloud is enough to make you realize something, but unfortunately, that realization didn't occur to me while reading this book.

For all the beautifully written prose and despite the lofty tone it adopts, the author's inner conflict and struggle with this work were made evident to me through a quote that I'll share at the end. This quote could have been used as a disclaimer at the beginning of the book. However, the author chose to save it for the last chapter, and the words feel like an apology, or even a cop-out. It's a bit like those fantastical novels that end with

"And then he woke up, and was relieved to find it was all a dream."

The writer seems to build up to something nicely, but then throws in the towel and gives up.

Let these words serve as a warning for those seeking answers:

"Wisdom cannot be passed on. Wisdom that a wise man attempts to pass on always sounds like foolishness."

These words have strengthened my skepticism and perhaps explain the somewhat harsh tone of this review. But if wisdom can't be passed on, and readers claim to have gained wisdom by reading this, what am I missing?

As I said earlier, I probably haven't been reading and reviewing this in the way the author intended. The journey is what matters, not the answer. Maybe this two-star review reveals more about how my mind has become closed off to the songs of the soul and impervious to the deepest truths of life. I certainly hope not, but it's something for you to consider before you decide to pass up on this book. After all, plenty of people have loved it, and they're good people too.

Reading this novel is a cure, it is calmness, it is peace...

"Siddhartha", a beautiful and simple novel by my admired Hermann Hesse, which draws on elements of Indian philosophy, although the author avoids falling into a simple orientalization. "Siddhartha" is rather a crucible of ideas, where elements of Hinduism, Buddhism, Western thought and Hesse's own reflections intersect. This syncretism enriches the narrative and allows the reader to establish connections with their own experience. It also invites us to enter an existential labyrinth where the search for enlightenment becomes a metaphor for the human condition. The novel, beyond being a mere narration, is a philosophical treatise on the nature of knowledge, the relationship between the individual and the universe, and the possibility of transcending the limitations of the ego.

Siddhartha rejects intellectual and dogmatic knowledge, opting for an experiential search for truth. His path leads him to explore various ways: the ascetic life, sensual pleasure, intellectual knowledge, and finally, the unconditional acceptance of reality.

Hesse suggests that true knowledge is not acquired through books or teachers, but through direct experience and personal reflection.

One of the central themes of the novel is the unity of all beings. Siddhartha comes to understand that all phenomena are interconnected and that the separation between the Self and the world is an illusion. This idea, present in many Eastern philosophies, is explored by the author through the metaphor of the river, which symbolizes the constant flow of life and the interconnection of all things.

Love, in its various manifestations, plays a fundamental role in the transformation of Siddhartha. Through his relationships with Govinda, Kamala and Vasudeva, the protagonist experiences different dimensions of love: friendship, passion and compassion. Hesse suggests that love is a transforming force that can lead to enlightenment.

"Siddhartha" is a novel that challenges any attempt at a definitive interpretation. The poetic and symbolic language used by Hesse invites the reader to find their own meaning in the story. The novel does not offer easy answers, but poses fundamental questions that we readers must answer for ourselves.

"The soft is stronger than the hard; the water is stronger than the rock, love is stronger than violence."

This classic novella penned by Herman Hesse delves deep into the story of a man's arduous journey of self-discovery.

The eponymous Siddhartha, distinct from Lord Buddha despite sharing the same name, embarks on a quest to find the meaning of life and a true teacher. He traverses through various phases, from countless days of intense meditation to a life filled with lust and material indulgences. Along the way, he gradually understands the essence of love and liberation, ultimately attaining peace.

Its primary influence lies in the Buddhist philosophies, which have the potential to be a profound inspiration for those more philosophically inclined than the author. Indeed, it has touched the hearts and minds of thousands of readers worldwide. However, for the author personally, it failed to strike a special chord. Perhaps this is because, growing up in India, the author was constantly and indirectly exposed to the Buddhist teachings of liberation and peace, leaving little new ground for thought. Or maybe it's because the author is simply too materialistic to be truly moved by its profound message. In either case, it was clear that this particular work was not meant for the author.

The introduction in my edition is written by Paolo Coelho, the author of The Alchemist. Having read that many years ago, I can clearly see where he took his inspiration from.

What did I take from this book?

I need to stop and remember to be mindful. I should be focused, conscious, and aware.

I need to stop and remember to be present. I must be concentrated, attentive, and watchful.

I need to stop and remember not just to Look (with definitions like glance, peer, peep), but to See (with definitions like discern, distinguish, recognise).

I need to remember not just to Hear (perceive, catch, get), but to Listen (attend, heed, hearken).

I need to remember what I've learnt about Unity. Unity of all existence is seen as the essential foundation of all true spiritual traditions, from the Hindu and Buddhist teachings of India and China to the monotheism of western religions.

I need to remember that Love is the only thing that matters in the world.

Quotes:

But he learned more from the river than Vasudeva could teach him. He learned from it continually. Above all, he learned from it how to listen, to listen with a still heart, an open soul, without passion, without desire, without judgement, without opinions.

Brahman is the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality which is the Divine ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being and everything beyond in this universe.

Sometimes books find you at exactly the right time, and this was one of those for me. Did I discover anything new? We'll see. :)

It feels very strange, even unnecessary to rate this one, but the nature of GR asks that I do.... 5*

What would I say about “Siddhartha”? It's a book that I had long held dear in my heart, with a longing to read it someday. And now that I have finally read it, how do I truly feel? Do I experience a sense of being completely enthralled? Do I feel that it has significantly enhanced my knowledge of the unknown and the mysterious? Sadly, the answer is no. But then again, the author doesn't really attempt to achieve that, does he? He provides a detailed account of the life of a seeker. He describes how the seeker progresses in his quest, how he passes through the various phases of his life, which are inspired by the Hindu religion's Four Ashramas - namely the Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanprastha, and Sanyasa. How he experiences different states of happiness, sorrow, despair, desire, satiation, and struggle, just like every other human being in the world. How he constantly defies any belief or doctrine followed by others, in order to move forward with his quest, all by himself.

What really captured my attention here was this stance of Siddhartha to defy the already known beliefs, those things that couldn't offer him a satisfactory answer. This is the essential quality of a seeker - to seek. However, here I could perceive the essential doctrine preached in the Hindu religion that Siddhartha comes to accept. That is, the one of a Guru and Disciple. It demonstrates that the author did indeed study the Hindu beliefs in great depth before writing this work. Siddhartha, the seeker, when seeking on his own in the various phases of his life, is unable to find the answers by himself. He then turns to the ferryman by the river and the river itself to learn anew. This relationship emphasizes the importance given to the Guru-Disciple relationship in Hindu beliefs, which states that a disciple necessarily should seek a Guru in order to cross this river of life, that without a Guru, a person wouldn't be able to navigate through this life peacefully. Yes, it is evident throughout.

The major turning point in this book was when Vasudeva asked Siddhartha to listen to the river, and to listen carefully. This can be compared to the Krishna-Arjuna dialogue in The Geeta, where Krishna, whom Arjuna regards as his God and Guru (as Vasudeva also seems like a God to Siddhartha), reveals to Arjuna the unity of life, of every being on earth. The River, representing the various faces, emotions, and relations, and then merging into one, is a portrayal where Arjuna sees everything, every being in this world, merging with the God. The river thus symbolizes the ever-present, it also highlights the importance of unity, and of accepting everything in life as it comes. The state that Siddhartha reaches later, the one of enlightenment, also finds illustrations in different verses, where it is advocated to practice compassion and love towards fellow beings, while still renouncing every desire and relationship, in order to attain Nirvana.

The author, through a beautiful and captivating narrative, does describe the struggles that Siddhartha endures in order to attain a meaning or a state of Nirvana. However, this is just a worthy collection of valuable ideas that he might have studied. So, while I didn't actually learn anything completely new from here, it did inspire me to think more deeply.