Siddhartha

Rating:
Summary: This is the most amazing book I have ever read.
Review: I read this book for the first time when I was fifteen, and it affected me in a profound manner. Hermann Hesse has since become my favorite author, and it all started when I read this book. The prose amazingly well written, and I hold the upmost respect for it's author

Rating:
Summary: Insight into Siddhartha
Review:

Religion is an important part of many peoples' lives.
In Siddhartha, we see a new view on religion and its
place in the human search for conquering the secret of
universal unity.

Hinduism and Buddhism tell us that to attain this
secret, one must remove all sense of Self. One this happens,
there is nothing to distinguish onself from others, because of
this loss of identity. Siddhartha, however, is not contented
with these teachings and decides to search for this peace
through his own experience.

For 20 years, Siddhartha finds himself addicted to
material wealth. Finally, he becomes disgusted with what
he has become and leaves all his wealth to work with a ferryman
in the forest. From the ferryman he learns to listen and observe
, much like a child does. He listens to the river and hears
thousands of voices at once, that when heard together say
"Om." He sees his life in the river, and his son's life,
and realizes the truly transitory nature of the human life.
He begins to love everything around and love the life he has
and will live, and the situations that he may face. He has found
the eternal secret- universal love. Universal love brings
universal unity.

This book will open your eyes to the life you live
and the interaction between yourself and the world.
It will also bring a new look on the role of religious
teachings. It is truly an amazing experience to read
Herman Hesse's Siddhartha.


Rating:
Summary: Yet Another Positive Response

Review: Hardly in need of further literary acclaim, Herman Hesses Siddhartha nonetheless forces this reader to relate yet another positive response. From the standpoint of a recently undergraduated copywriter in need of a solid vision for the future, Siddharthas trials and eventual spiritual grounding and discovery are meaningful and, at last, comforting revelations that have forced me to examine my own spirituality, materialism, romances, and values.

The importance of observing and feeling everything with an open heart and mind while following your own deepest inclinations and directions is the only way to truly determine where you belong, Siddharthas words and actions inform the reader. From forest to town to river, Siddhartha is welcome and loved for he learns from and gives to all that come to know him. He gives questions to a spiritual leader and passion to a woman. He gives success to a business and instruction to a friend. And finally, Hesses creation gives the reader inspiration and motivation for a closer look at every river along the way to greater self-understanding.

In honesty, when I was first commissioned to read Siddhartha I glanced through the first few pages and put it down for reasons I cannot recall. Maybe I was too enveloped in the adventures of Henry Chinaski or engaged with the Coma Baby. I cannot remember. Anyway, I wish I had read the story then and I am glad I have read it now.

Rating:
Summary: Om
Review: Review #334 (wow!). One of Hesse's most popular and accessible works, Siddhartha is his "Indic Poem" based on the life of a young Brahmin from an Indian village who leaves home to seek fulfillment. The novel is short, and in tone, more akin to Hesse's fairy-tales and "legends" (see, "The Fairy Tales of Hermann Hesse", Jack Zipes, 1995). As such, Siddhartha flows simply and magically, like an epic poem or sonata (for music, find Claude Viver's "Siddartha".)

When I first read this book I was younger, and focused on the departure from home aspect of the novel. The cold break from his father was disturbing and uncomfortable, yet necessary. But necessary for what? Every youth leaves home, but not all knowing (or caring) why. When I came back to this book recently, many years afterwards, I read it on a nearby mountain-top beside a stream in a sunny little grove, and found it incredibly fluid; almost perfect in structure and theme. Hesse's message is that one's own personal journey is more important than simply following another's learned doctrines, no matter how much you agree with them. Siddhartha comes to this conclusion after years and years of wandering in the forrests as an ascetic Samana ("Too much knowledge had hindered him...") and he understands that while knowledge and information may be taught and learned, wisdom must be gained through self-exploration. Of course it's useful and important to read, and learn from others, but unlike his friend Govinda, Siddhartha breaks from the Buddha's teachings not because he disagrees with him, but because he "understands him" (in fact, he is him - or, another "him").

His journey includes a life of the senses "amongst the people" with the lovely courtesan Kamala, and a business career with the merchant Kamaswami. Siddhartha (aka: the Buddha), must lose himself before finding himself again. Eventually, he finds himself by the river which he had crossed in the first part of the novel, and which is the central, binding motif of the story. Here, with the old ferryman Vasudeva, and after a last, tragic encounter with Kamala (and a son he never knew he had) he eventually learns to synthesize intellect with sense (parts I & II of the novel), and not to despise the cyclic world of illusions (i.e. Maya & Samsara), but rather to embrace it, and to accept it - and love it. The novel ends with the gesture of a kiss, and a beatific smile.

Rating:
Summary: Not a masterpiece!
Review: I loved HESSE more before I read this book. It is a story, just a simnple story and far away from human reality at least from my point of view. It is full of philosophical discussions about what life should be but I don't think it can be a guide for it.
I think that there will always be people who will like this book especially in the west, regarding the spiritual crisis expected to get serious dimensions in the following years, but not suffiecient for pragmatist people.
Anyway, not a very bad read.

Rating:
Summary: "Knowledge Can Be Communicated, But Not Wisdom"
Review: In a short essay or summary format, it is impossible adequately describe in words the many qualities which make Herman Hesse's book, Siddhartha, a deeply satisfying masterpiece. However, the chance of bringing such a special book into the lives of others makes an attempt worthwhile. It has been written that Siddhartha is Hesse's most famous and influential work, and in many ways, I can easily understand why. This is a most effortless, yet incredibly profound book to read. The lucid, sagacious style in which Hesse explains an utterly complex subject matter is in itself an achievement to wonder at. From beginning to end, the words weaved within the story's context invoke curiosity, and at times a longing for what lies within the pages to come; and when those pages do come, the radiant words cultivate a deep spiritual air of enlightenment that will awaken your senses and encompass your thoughts.

According to Hesse, "the true profession of man is to find his way to himself." Indeed, he may just be correct, if only in part. I would personally modify this assertion by saying that finding the way to ourselves is the profession of man's first stage of life; the other stage being that man must find his way to knowing and giving love in all its forms. Thus, the true profession of man is to find his way to himself and to others; but I do not believe that my latter assertion can be accomplished without first having successfully discovered the former. Perhaps everyone at some point learns to understand this, as the yearning for the way to ourselves is innate in each of us. The search for the inner-self and quest for answers to life's mysteries is one that has occupied and eluded mankind since the dawn of time; but in a small way, Herman Hesse's Siddhartha is an excellent blueprint in creating a roadmap to help you set your own course or direction in that journey. The sooner you move on from the first stage to the second, the longer your true happiness will have been found. I do believe Hesse understood this, however, as he writes: "It seems to me, Govinda, that love is the most important thing in the world." He continues, "...I think it is only important to love the world, not to despise it, not for us to hate each other, but to be able to regard the world and ourselves and all beings with love, admiration and respect" (Siddhartha, p. 147).

As for the story itself, I suppose an oversimplification of Siddhartha will suffice for some, which is to say this is a rich and colorful novel about the search for self-knowledge and meaning of life; but to leave it at that would be to sell it short. An amazing piece of literary work originally published in 1922, Siddhartha is an enchanting, iridescent tale of one man's spiritual quest. The story is told in the context and feel of Eastern religious thought and philosophy that was most likely found in parts of India during the early 1900's. The novel begins as the title character, Siddhartha, is already a young man. Born the son of a Brahmin, Siddhartha was blessed in appearance, intelligence, and charisma. He is at a point in his life where he begins to come of age. Having already long taken part in learned men's conversations, engaged in debate with his close friend, Govinda, we learn of Siddhartha's progress in life thus far. Well-practiced at contemplation and mediation, Siddhartha is well on his way to developing an astute intellect and discernment. He is a source of happiness and pride for his parents and all who know him. He is adorned with the love and adoration that many people would only dream of. Yet, true happiness still eludes him.

Siddhartha's indomitable thirst for nirvana is as innate as breathing. This ceaseless longing must be cultivated, which makes it necessary for him to leave his family and embark on a quest to find his true inner-self; and so begins Siddhartha's journey in pursuit of the ultimate enlightenment, nirvana. In an incredible saga of many personal evolutions, Siddhartha follows several paths in his life, going through several lifestyles, perspectives, and states of mind. Siddhartha leaves his family behind to become a wandering ascetic, but all is eventually lost as his spiritual gains erode and he is seduced by the pleasures of the flesh. He slowly begins to be enslaved by his earthly passions and is completely subjugated by his base desires until he becomes like all the other "child people" that he so loathed. Ultimately, Siddhartha frees himself from the grips of vice and moves on. Finally, it is as an old man that Siddhartha, who has experienced a great deal in his lifetime, finally has an epiphany which challenges many of the Eastern ideals of enlightenment. It is in this revelation that Siddhartha finally realizes the answers for which he has thirsted for so long.

Though it is not a grievous task to read Siddhartha, it may take a lifetime to truly comprehend its prodigious message. Subsequent readings will almost certainly provide revelations that were not realized previously. As time passes, I am realizing that, at first read, the depths and duality of its message may remain beyond comprehension; especially to the reader who has not learned to listen to their own "river" yet. As you read and follow along the path of discovery with Siddhartha, you will also discover, or perhaps rediscover, much about yourself in the process. Hesse makes it so easy to believe that the meaning of life is perhaps not as complicated as we think it is. Truly, my affection for this story has lingered since reading it, and I believe this affection will continue to linger in my heart for all the days of my life. I have a strong feeling that it will have the same effect on many, if not most of you, as well. Siddhartha is a satisfying, must-read book that everyone who possesses any depth to their soul should experience.

I leave you with but a taste for your palate. Bantam Book 1971 edition, translated by Hilda Rosner:

"'When someone is seeking,' said Siddhartha, 'it happens quite easily that he only sees the thing that he is seeking; that he is unable to find anything, because he is only thinking of the thing he is seeking, because he has a goal, because he is obsessed with his goal. Seeking means: to have a goal; but finding means: to be free, to be receptive, to have no goal. You, O worthy one, are perhaps indeed a seeker, for in striving towards your goal, you do not see many things that are under your nose'" (Siddhartha, p. 140).

"I learned through my body and soul that it was necessary to sin, that I needed lust, that I had to strive for property and experience nausea and the depths of despair in order to learn not to resist them, in order to learn to love the world, and no longer compare it with some kind of desired imaginary vision of perfection, but to leave it as it is, to love it and be glad to belong to it" (Siddhartha, p. 144).

Rating:
Summary: Eastern Religion Intake
Review: The book journeys through a man's life, Siddhartha, to showcase the different cultural values that are present in the Eastern religions of Hinduism, Janism, and Buddhism. The historical may not be accurate on the case of Siddhartha (Buddha) in the book, but I don't believe that is the intentions of the book. I read the book as a prelude to discussions about Hinduism, Janism, and Buddhism in my World Religions class this semester, and it has helped give me a further understanding of those religions from a personal standpoint through this novel.

Rating:
Summary: Truly a masterpiece
Review: i have one grouse...most reviewers are not indians so they dont't seem to understand one basic point,A Brahmin is different from A Brahman.
A BRAHMIN is a person who belongs to the priestly class or caste,he is one who is supposed to be well versed with the vedas and upanishads.Not every one can be a brahmin,he/she has to be born to brahmins to be a brahmin I.e its hereditary.
A BRAHMAN is one who has realized himself and is in sync with the cosmos,he is also refered to as one with the cosmos.any one can become a brahman or one with the cosmos and doesnt have to do anything with the lineage.
i would recommend works of Shri Adi shankara to understand more about Brahman.

Rating:
Summary: Mmmmm....mind food
Review: This novel by Hermann Hesse is great. I borrowed from a friend and was sucked in by its philosophical discussion. The story follow Siddhartha, an Indian in search of enlightenment. He tries a few routes, lives life as a wealthy merchant, loses hope, and... well, you can find out. It is short, not many big events, but the dialogue more than makes up for it. Anyone who enjoys novels carried by philosophical dialogue/monlogue will love this.

Rating:
Summary: Pleasant read but incoherent worldview
Review: If you want a short story and a light read that's a little entertaining, this is the book for you. There's just something about the writing style (and this is a good translation) that just makes this book a pleasure to read. As far as depth of character, plot, and all that, the book is rather shallow and flat, but telling a good story doesn't appear to have been the author's intent. The intent seems to be to explain the author's worldview. I have several problems with the author's worldview, but that did not prevent me from enjoying this book.

Without going into too much detail, I wanted to mention something about the author's worldview that I have a problem with. It seems that the author's idea of wisdom consists in denying the obvious. All of these things are dismissed as illusions: contradictions, time, distinctions between this world and eternity, suffering and bliss, good and evil. His denial of the law of non-contradiction is especially troubling. He says, "in every truth the opposite is equally true" (p. 115).

Francis Schaeffer once said that no matter what a person believes, they still have to live in the real world, and for some people that causes tension. You can see the tension in the author's view of time. Time is supposedly an illusion. But the author has to live with time just like the rest of us, so how does he escape reality? Though meditation. He writes, "During deep meditation it is possible to dispel time, to see simultaneously all the past, present and future, and then everything is good, everything is perfect, everything is Brahmin" (p. 116). If you have to meditate in order to pretend like your worldview is true, then you just don't have a very good worldview.

Why not embrace a worldview that affirms the obvious? If two claims contradict, they can't both be true. Time is real. There is a difference between suffering and bliss, and also between good and evil. And for goodness sake, a rock is not a person!