Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse is a fiction book, but has so many situations and influential ideals that it shouldn’t be considered fiction. Its more of a spiritual book, and a great book at that.
The books I’ve been picking up lately are finding themselves to be spiritual journey type books and this one definitely takes the cake. It follows the travels of Brahmin’s son through his journey of life, and speaks from Siddhartha’s mind in the first person, explaining how he learns to find peace in everything around.
It starts off when young Siddhartha listens to his own voice, which tells him he must leave home to find what he’s looking for. Of course, as all fathers would be, his dislikes the idea, but with Siddhartha’s patience, his father understands that it is what must happen, and blesses his son on his journey.
I was sad at the end when Siddhartha has a moment of reflection about how he never does return to his father, but I will leave that for you to be moved by in your own way.
Siddhartha goes from being a Brahmin’s son, to living with the Samanas in the forests begging for food, then leaves to seek Buddha, but finds that what Buddha is teaching, is the same thing that all the rest have taught him, and what he has been searching for his whole life is something that only he can find himself.
Soon after this realization, he leaves his lifelong friend to stay and practice as a monk under the illustrious Buddha to let himself become a Businessman, seeking wealth & love, which in themselves bring many more extravagances. Let it be known that Siddhartha could not keep happy in such a direction.
I found it compelling and very interesting at every new leaf that Siddhartha turns over, every new discovery about his path that he realizes. Its always amazing to take what you learn from such a book and apply it to ones own life, for it makes a lot of strife so much less important in the scheme of things. This is, I assume, what most people who are searching, are looking for.
Read this book, no doubt about it. It will become a book you will reach for again and again.
Just want to say what a great blog you got here!
I’ve been around for quite a lot of time, but finally decided to show my appreciation of your work!
Thumbs up, and keep it going!
Cheers
Christian, iwspo.net
Have you read anything else by Hesse? I found all that you wrote to be true, too and so explored his other works. I read some of his fairy tales, years ago, and am still ‘haunted’ by it to this day. I use it in my meditations and prayers for others. He has such a spiritual thoughtfulness in such a seemingly simplistic storytelling style…
Thank you for your blog-
Sitkag, No I haven’t read anything else by Hesse. If you have any that you would recommend I will definitely put them on my book list, but I assume that they are all good by the sounds of things.
What I have read of Siddhartha will definitely stay with me for a very long time, and I have told many people about the book already.
My grandmother gave me the book, she’s a gem of wisdom if you listen properly, and reading this book made this sort of click for me. =)
The world truly is a beautiful place.
King Kabuz.