Ich habe immer etwas Scheu davor, meine Lieblingsbücher aus der Jugendzeit nochmals zu lesen. Die Gefahr des Missfallens würde in diesem Fall schwerer wiegen als bei Erstlektüren. Wie bei vielen Anderen auch, stand Hermann Hesse ganz oben auf der Lieblingsautorenliste zu Schulzeiten, zumal meine Deutsch-LK-Lehrerin ihn rigoros ablehnte, was schon alleine Grund war, Hesse als Widerstand zu mögen. Was fasziniert die Jugend auch heute noch an Hermann Hesse? Ich denke, es liegt an seiner Linie, aus jedem Werk einen Entwicklungsroman zu machen. In Lebensphasen, in denen Selbstfindung und Persönlichkeitsentdeckung hoch im Kurs stehen, inspirieren Hesses Figuren einfach. Ob man nun unter dem Schuldruck leidet wie Unterm Rad, ob man wie Goldmund offenen Herzens mit allen Sinnen die Welt entdecken will, ob man sich mehr als intellektueller Denker wie Narziss sieht, als einen Einzelgänger wie der Steppenwolf oder als spirituell Suchender wie Siddhartha.

Mich hatte vor 31 Jahren bei erstmaligen Lesen besonders der Anfang fasziniert, wie Siddhartha als junger Brahmane in jeglicher Hinsicht die beste Schule des Lebens bekommt und dann trotzdem von zu Hause ausbricht, um sich auf die Suche nach dem Sinn des Lebens zu begeben (er nennt es das Atman, das in jedem Menschen steckt). Und nun, was sagt mir das Buch nach so vielen Jahren? Im Grunde bin ich einen ähnlichen Weg wie Siddhartha gegangen, habe mich Glaubensgemeinschaften angeschlossen, wieder von ihnen entfernt und lebte bei den „Kindermenschen“, also in einem Alltag mit Beruf und Familie und dem Streben nach allerlei Irdischem. Doch jetzt stehe ich wie Siddhartha an einem Wendepunkt, wie er vor dem Fluss beim Fährmann Vasudeva, habe Vieles zurückgelassen und lerne in Therapien achtsam zu leben. Erstaunlich, wie viel Buddhismus sich in dem ganzen Coaching- und Therapieprogrammen heutzutage befindet. Eine der zentralen Aussagen des Buchs ist, dass man Weisheit nicht erlernen kann. Wissen schon. Aber Weisheit muss man erfahren und erleben. Da helfen keine Bücher. Man muss es tun. Aber man braucht Wegbegleiter, die einem zu diesem Tun hinführen. Und ein solcher Wegbegleiter ist dieser Klassiker von Hermann Hesse, der vor gut 100 Jahren veröffentlicht wurde. Ich bin froh, dass ich es nochmal gelesen und sogar noch mehr gemocht und verstanden habe als vor vielen Jahren. Hermann Hesse schrieb nicht nur für die Jugend, sondern gerade fürs Alter. Denn wie sonst sollte man beurteilen, wie es sich anfühlt, wenn liebgewonnene Lebensabschnitte enden und neue Abschnitte auch wieder einen Zauber enthalten.

We follow Siddhartha’s journey through life and learn with him:

“ ‘Knowledge can be communicated but not wisdom. One can find it, be fortified by it, do wonders through it , but one cannot communicate and teach it.’”

“ ‘Everything that exists is good – death as well as life, sin as well as holiness, wisdom as well as folly. Everything is necessary...’”

“ ‘ Time is not real..And if time is not real, then the dividing line that seems to lie between this world and eternity, between suffering and bliss, between good and evil, is also an illusion.’”

Beautiful, utterly beautiful. Not a wasted word. A book I will prize for the rest of my life and keep with my most treasured books. I will try to re-read it regularly.

Very useful preface by Donald McCrory which includes a biography of Hesse, focusing on the writing and meaning of Siddhartha; also containing a bibliography and index of people, works and influences on Hesse, along with an invaluable (for me) glossary of Sanskrit, Hindu and Buddhist terms. Translation by Hilda Rosner.

Yeah this is pretty much the wet dream of non-Buddhist people who exoticize Eastern cultures and religions by packaging them in a manner that fits the Western cultural lens. It's very othering, classic white dude's hot take on a culture that's not their own kind of writing.

there are certain roles i relish in this life.

when i was younger, i loved to play the part of Cool Teenage Girl while babysitting, because it was the most effective and energy efficient way to get children to like me. answering "do you have a boyfriend" and "do you go to parties" 800 times is way easier than running around or doing crafts.

i am still a big fan of embodying Sympathetic Customer at any retail or service establishment i go to. thanks to years of retail/service work this is actually more a truth of myself than a persona, but i amp it up so much that it still applies.

but my ALL TIME FAVORITE character will always be English Student Who Is Devoted Enough And Sufficiently Respected To Get Away With Sh*t Talking The Assigned Reading In Class.

and boy oh boy did i go for the gold on that with this book.

when i was in high school, there was also a cult of white boys who refused to even make eye contact with any girl who wasn't Asian. there were probably six of them floating around the halls, actively fetishizing - seven if you count Hermann Hesse via the copies of Siddhartha that half the junior-year english classes had to read.

this book is just bizarre.

this is part of a series i am doing where i - i've said it before and i'll say it again - claim to be reviewing books i read a long time ago, but more actively reveal unasked for truths about my high school experience.

دیگر بار خواندن این کتاب برای چون منی که در دهه‌ی چهارم زندگی می‌دوم و دورانِ بهشتِ زورکیِ سال‌هایِ پس از انقلاب را از سر گذراندم؛ مثل سیدارتها و سجاده‌نشین باوقاری بودم و به مرور پس ِسال‌های اصلاحات و شب‌های کوره‌وار و آتشین هشتادوهشت یکی دیگر شده بودم این بار هم مثل سیدارتها ! جالب بود ... انگار روزهای عمرت را دوباره تماشا می‌کنی گفته‌آمده در حدیث دیگران ... حالا این‌که باز جوییم روزگار وصل خویش مثل سیدارتها یا نه را نمی‌دانم ... اما برای بسیاری از هم‌نسلانم که روزگار جوانی زمانی هر چند اندک، سرسپرده‌ی باورهای باطنی و توحیدی به اصطلاحِ بازاری‌اش عرفانی بودند و بعد دل‌زده، سیروسلوک را کنار گذاشتند تا مثل آدمیزاد زندگی کنند و روزگار بگذارنند؛ خواندن یا بازخواندن سیدارتها با ترجمه‌ی ذوق‌ورزانه‌ی آقای حبیبی تامل برانگیز و خواستنی خواهد بود

This book opened the door to Buddhism to me...for that I will always be grateful. I can remember feeling that there was a way to search for truth; not a guarantee that it would be found - just a map that could be followed. Still looking - but this book pointed me in the right direction.

Ta książka to wszystko, co teraz.

“Your soul is the whole world”

A lot of people for the longest time recommended me this book. I have to say I’m slightly disappointed with the experience of reading it, maybe because my expectations were so high, as all of the wise and profound people I know seem to admire it. When I was younger (high school) I’ve read Steppenwolf and I was in complete awe of Hesse’s writing, and I regarded him as one of most sagacious writers I’ve ever come across. Later on (in college) I attempted to read The Glass Bead Game, equally adored it but haven’t had enough time to finish it.
Theme-wise this book is right up my alley - combining psychological development with spiritual path of Buddhism - sign me up.
However, I wasn’t as enchanted with Hesse’s writing in this one, I found it to be less profound than in his other books, even though it is thematic in a similar niche of self-discovery. Maybe that’s due to my evolution as a reader as I have already read a number of books exploring the same matter or Hesse's writing really is a bit uneven. I would like to attempt some of his other books again to test those theories.

This book has high quality ideas but for some reason they didn’t sit with me as well. I think the main reson is I couldn’t connect to the main character and found him self-conceived, arrogant, almost without ability to love, and hugely disliked the underlying storyline of his predetermined extra ordinance and specialty, as his superiority to the other ‘’ordinary’’ men is established early on. In my opinion, the division between preordained chosen ones and regular people is malignant (any separation that makes us think there are inherently two kinds of people), and can cause inferiority complex in common people that don’t view themselves in that way, and grandiosity in others that think to be special means not being a true self but establishing difference (basically meaning superiority) to 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’s of great importance to establish that there are no two kinds of people, and every person in the core self is special, chosen to be alive, and called to the path of maturation and individuation. In some way, Siddartha comes to shift of perspective as he learns to appreciate ‘’common’’ people, but for me, it was too little too late, as he already displayed too much annoying narcissism, maybe characteristic to everybody who perceives themselves as woken.
Especially Siddartha's relationship with Govinda displayed inequality, as Govinda always was a subordinate, bland, and unspecial character. I, in contrast to Govinda, didn't project numinous characteristics onto Siddharta, my feelings were more similar to this statement: But he, Siddhartha, was not a source of joy for himself, he found no delight in himself.
Glad we agree on this Siddharta. I really haven’t found any delight in him as a character, no matter how hard I tried to, but maybe that was Hesse’s intention to invoke in a reader similar feelings and perception 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 is also the point, that the meaning of life is reachable not in the continuity but only in small fragments of time, as these moments are worth being alive for. I would say I like the whole narrative if all of the other characters are regarded as symbolic, representing inner archetypes in Siddhartha. I highly appreciate and agree with the main idea - that one can’t regain true wisdom and authenticity just through following spiritual teaching 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 a lot of people follow Buddha, comprehend and adhere to his teaching, but the end result of their path differs greatly, as they don’t have the equal 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.''

Ideas of Buddhism are intelligently incorporated but also blended with Jungian individuation and excerpts of Nietzschean philosophy. Different concepts are not pushed into the character (or readers), as Siddartha discovers them from his own experience rather than an understanding of others. So the path that we follow should always be just ours, personal, individual, as there is no teaching in this world that can give us true wisdom without authentic intrapersonal transformational process. Subjective truth acquainted by experience is valued more than memorized knowledge containing the insight 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, Siddharta through his dissatisfaction both with himself and his environment comes to the realization that the world is a mere stage, theatre of masks, full of personas living a false, inauthentic life, even the wisest and spiritual people are no strangers to this kind of deceit. He experiences an existential crisis facing the reality of life that returns to him in circles. His crises are a good example of painful events that are an inherent part of psychological maturation, as deeply questioning one’s life leads to freedom. Buddist path to eliminate suffering, that has some elements which I don’t agree on, leads the main character to the exploration of oneself and having a more balanced perspective that transcends the limits of thinking in black and white colors. Traditionally Buddhist attempt to eliminate ego and desire is transformed in acceptance and integration of wholeness of oneself, as all parts have an important role in attaining self-knowledge and wisdom, more of a Jungian and Nietzschean viewpoint. Siddartha’s process of engagement goes through different phases - hedonistic, nihilistic, mystic, rational, relational and meaningful ones. In every stage, he explores an archetype/complex that is part of himself - Brahman, Shaman, rich man, gambler, ferryman. I like that Siddartha’s spiritual revelations were not ground-breaking, as he often struggled after them as before. I am also fond of the fact he explored vastly different aspects of himself - dark, vein, lustful sides, in order to reach his ultimate, true Self. The good and bad experiences, progression and regression both play an immense part in enlightenment and the big cycle of life. No stage in life is futile or isolated, and no person is merely evil or virtuous. This book can be a good example for both individuation and spiritual journey but I would recommend it to people who are beginners in the exploration of psychology or/and spiritually as I see it as a more of an introduction, maybe not for someone deeply engaged in the topics. I can see myself reading this book 10 years ago and being completely fascinated with it, and I would say then the book would have a much greater impact on me. But in this day and age, I already read a lot of material of this kind so the ideas are not new to me. But I will humble myself and admit this book is still a great accomplishment and a lot of people would benefit from it greatly! Always look inward as nor Hesse, nor Budda/Jung/Nietzsche can give you enlightenment, only point in the direction of it.

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

This book presents the evolution of a man through the various essential stages of his life, and it does it remarkably well.
How beautiful is the thought of Siddharta! She is refining, growing, and unique from page to page, and for us readers, it is a joy to have had this impression of growing up with Siddharta and finding oneself as changed at the very end of the book.
The writing is beautiful, and although the message is profound, the book seems to be accessible to a large number of people!
Embark without fear on this little philosophical tale. This spiritual journey may mark you forever.

Στιγμές στιγμές εμπνευσμένο, στιγμές στιγμές αδιάφορο.
Ένα ταξίδι αυτογνωσίας και εσωτερικής αναζήτησης, που αν το διαβάσει κανείς σε νεαρή ηλικία μπορεί και να του αλλάξει τη ζωή. Από ένα χρονικό σημείο και μετά όμως είναι δύσκολο να ταυτιστεί κανείς με τα νοήματα και τις διδαχές του Σιντάρτα.
Γενικά, δυνατό ανάγνωσμα, αλλά όχι κορυφαίο κατά τη γνώμη μου.

n  n

My apologies if this review reeks of "GUSHness." However, it gave me that ONE-OF-A-KIND reading experience that doesn't come along often and so I think it is certainly worthy of the praise I shall heep upon it. Beautifully written and a deeply personal story, Hesse has created the ultimate expression of the journey of self-discovery.

The book details the story of Siddhartha, the young and brilliant son of a Brahmin in ancient India. The Brahmin are the uber revered caste comprised of poets, priests, teachers and scholars***.

[***n  Quick Side Noten: How refreshing is it that their most revered group is not made up of morally questionable athletes, morally suspect celebrities and morally bankrupt politicians...I'm just saying!!]

At the beginning of the story, despite having absorbed all of the teachings of his father and followed all of the religious rites and rituals of his caste, Siddhartha is not content. He knows deep inside that there is something missing and decides to leave his father and his future and seek enlightenment. He sets out, along with his life long friend to find life’s meaning. A decision that makes Siddhartha’s father less than a happy camper.
n  n

Thus begins one of the truly exceptional stories in modern literature. Siddhartha’s journey takes him from the elite of his people:

1. First, to a group of ascetics who shun personal possessions and view the physical world as the source of all pain;

2. Next to a beautiful courtesan who teaches Siddhartha the mysterious of physical love, to a world;

3. Third, to a wealthy trader who teaches Siddhartha about profit, trade and worldly pleasures;

4. Then to a life of hedonistic excess in which Siddhartha eats, drinks, gambles and indulges in numerous sexual conquests in a very SinCityesque way...
n  n

5. Finally, back to an ascetic life, but one that embraces the world and everything in it as special and unique.

Throughout the various stages of his journey, Siddhartha finds something of value in everyone he interacts with and each stage brings him closer to his ultimate goal. Through elegant and deeply evocative writing, Hesse demonstrates, through Siddhartha's journey, the fundamental value of each and every person on Earth. Everyone has something special to contribute to the universe. Siddhartha's final realization of his goal of finding enlightenment is simply amazing and one that I can not recommend more strongly that everyone read.

I'm a U.S. citizen of Irish heritage living in Las Vegas. I was raised Roman Catholic and spent most of my undergraduate and graduate academic life learning about western philosophy, history and literature. I mention the only because I was completely floored that I could identify so intensely with Siddhartha’s story, despite a background that was as far from embracing an "eastern" viewpoint as you could possibly get.

I think its ability to completely suck me in demonstrates not only the brilliance and beauty of Hesse’s prose, but also the universal nature of the story and its ability to transcend all barriers to understanding. It is an amazing read but also a deeply personal one and I think that everyone will get something different out of reading it. Hopefully it is something very, very positive.
5.0 stars. HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION!!

Hermann Hesse writes as though his words are god's perspective, but I don't believe in god... And, for the most part, I think god is boring. I believe most people like this book because they think they will look dumb if they don't.