Book – Siddhartha

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse (1922) – The story of a young man in India who leaves home in search spiritual enlightenment.  Along with his best friend, Govinda, Siddhartha will meet the Buddha, pray, fast and leave his old life behind.  Eventually, the two friends paths diverge, and Siddhartha finds his enlightenment in a place he never anticipated.

I remember seeing many college classmates carrying copies of this book in the late ’70s.  It had become a counter culture touchstone in the previous decade, but I managed to avoid reading it until recently.  Maybe it’s part of my personal spiritual journey over the last fifteen years.  Maybe I just wasn’t ready to read it until now.

Siddhartha experiences many different spiritual practices.  He is born into a Brahmin family, which meant that he was a member of the highest caste in Hindu society.  Siddhartha finds that tradition lacking, and much to his father’s dismay turns his back on it.  His best friend chooses to follow him. Together their journey that takes them from one extreme to another.   The young men explore the asceticism of the Shremanas, wandering beggars, but also spends time living in luxury.  He and Govinda meet the Buddha (in real life, the man we commonly think of as Buddha was named Siddhartha Gautama before he left his old life behind).  Govinda is swayed by the teachings he hears and remains as a disciple, while Siddhartha goes on.

Through it all, I kept thinking that Siddhartha keeps making the same mistake.  Because he is looking for an answer that is satisfying to him, he only learns the larger lesson at the end of his life.  The one that teaches “It’s not all about you”.

I had no idea what to expect.  Translations can be tricky.  The novel was originally written in German. My fear was that the lyricism of the original might be lost but it wasn’t.  There isn’t a lot of fancy writing here, but there is a good story that is given room to find a profound core.  That’s not everyone’s cup of tea.  But the book is short (~150 pages) and worth a few moments of contemplation.

Why You Will Like It – A simple story with a deep message, well told and easy to read.  But one that may stay with you for a while.

Rating – **** Recommended