Siddhartha

Siddhartha is originally a German novel written by Hermann Hesse published in 1922. It has been translated into more than 30 languages and became particularly influential during the 1960s, centering around a journey to enlightenment. The book revolves around a Brahmin man named Siddhartha, who goes on a spiritual quest of self-discovery. Throughout the story, there are many ups and downs, ultimately leading to great peace and acceptance. This is a lovely reminder that one can extract meaning from even the darkest moments in life and that they are often necessary to learn the important life lessons. One of my favorite personal reminders is that “life is precise,” which is exemplified in this novel.

Siddhartha has been on my list for a long time and it is surprising that I only just read it for the first time. Life is funny that way because it often gives you exactly what you need when it can be most useful. I have been contemplating many things that have been occupying a lot of mental space recently. Siddhartha allowed me to take much of my anxiety away, which often results from thinking too much about the future and reminded me firmly to trust the process.

Below I have quoted the page that was most helpful with that:

“I am indeed old,” said Govinda, “but I have never ceased seeking. I will never cease seeking. That seems to be my destiny. It seems to me that you also have sought. Will you talk to me a little about it, my friend?”

Siddhartha said: “What could I say to you that would be of a value, except that perhaps you seek too much, that as a result of your seeking you cannot find.”

“How is that?” asked Govinda.

“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, unable to absorb 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.”

Hermann Hesse

I also felt this book was one of the most psychedelic texts I’ve ever read. The most obvious comparisons from the book that anyone who has experienced a psychedelic can most certainly identify with is that

• “words do not express thoughts very well”
• “time is not real”
• “love is the most important thing in the world”

and

• “all things are connected and mirrored in each other; we are one.”