What does it mean that Siddhartha’s life is a unity? If unity is that he experienced everything necessary to truly understand life, I’m not sure it was truly unified. But if it means that the course of his life all had connections and purposes, perhaps so. For example, coming back to the ferryman because of a previous connection. And how he keeps running into Govinda, when Kamala returns to him because of his son—his son runs away, so he returns to the garden. So in that respect, Siddhartha’s path is very unified and each step has its purpose.
Stepping stones.
So, if we define a unified life as a life that follows a path of interconnected actions and events, then I would say my life, and Siddhartha’s, is very unified so far. I grew up with my parents, traveled in the summers, went to school, and am now enrolled in college. I’m planning on studying abroad, going to graduate school, and getting a job eventually. And maybe the two ideas of a unified life are connected. By experiencing this path (the same path that many others follow), I am understanding the average life that many others strive for. However, the difference between Siddhartha and I is that I do not think I could achieve enlightenment just following this simple path. So, while my life is unified, I’m not sure it is in the same sense that his was. Siddhartha’s journey is different because he had something in mind as he went along: he was dissatisfied with the world and also knew he wanted to achieve this greater sense of wisdom and understanding. I find myself wanting to achieve similar things, but maybe at a smaller scale. I have more realistic goals and values, and that is okay with me. I am not entirely dissatisfied with the world—I see room for improvement, but I understand that I am a part of this world and I can work to improve it instead of setting myself apart.
In my opinion, the novel didn’t really hang together to me. His experiences seemed kind of random and I’m not sure I understand just how he achieved enlightenment through these things. His experiences with what we might call a “normal life” was certainly spot on, but his grasp at love seemed a little less than what I would have liked for him to experience. Siddhartha said earlier in the book that “people of our kind can’t love,” but then he proceeds to foolishly love his spoiled son (70).
Spoiled brat, gr.
He “lost himself to a love and became a fool because of love” (114). I, for one, truly understand how he could call this the “strongest and strangest of all passions” because I don’t understand how, if he was incapable of love before, he could all of the sudden love this little boy so much, especially when this little boy treated him so rudely and with so much contempt (114). For me, love is something that comes on gradually and is learned in a sense. I guess I really can’t understand because I don’t have children, but the love of this boy seemed silly for a person who is described earlier as not being able to love. But I guess in a way it completed his life cycle on the path to enlightenment. He experienced that love that hits you before you even know what happened. He couldn’t control it or fight it and became a slave to it. In a way, this completed his understanding of human beings and I suppose this was how he could finally truly listen to the river.
However, the conclusion of the novel was beautiful to me. When he described the river as “the flow of events and the music of life,” I could relate to that a thousand times over (126). On Sunday, I had almost the same feeling about the wind. Of course, I wasn’t anywhere close to enlightenment or anything, but it held the same kind of beauty. It brings so many things together and travels all over. It can be bitter and angry or soft and beautiful. It pushes and pulls just the right amount and the sound of the wind whipping through your ears is something unique and cannot be replicated. I sat outside yesterday finishing the book and afterwards I simply sat, closed my eyes, and let the wind tickle my face. It was in this moment that I could picture Siddhartha’s smile.
Buddha's smile.
This video (to me) totally goes with the feelings Siddhartha had about the river.
Emily Said:
ReplyDelete"However, the conclusion of the novel was beautiful to me. When he described the river as “the flow of events and the music of life,” I could relate to that a thousand times over (126)."
I did not think that the conclusion of the novel was that great. The part I loved was in the beginning of the novel when Siddhartha decides to leave his teacher and guide (I forget his name). When he informs his teacher that he will be leaving the teacher gets upset. Siddhartha then hypnotizes him to show that he (meaning Siddhartha) has exceeded him and must seek another teacher and guide!
If we are not at peace we should keep searching until we find the truth.
Mansoor H. Khan
http://aquinums-razor.blogspot.com/2011/02/modern-world-view-and-financial-crises.html
Emily Said:
ReplyDelete"However, the conclusion of the novel was beautiful to me. When he described the river as “the flow of events and the music of life,” I could relate to that a thousand times over (126)."
I did not think that the conclusion of the novel was that great. The part I loved was in the beginning of the novel when Siddhartha decides to leave his teacher and guide (I forget his name). When he informs his teacher that he will be leaving the teacher gets upset. Siddhartha then hypnotizes him to show that he (meaning Siddhartha) has exceeded him and must seek another teacher and guide!
If we are not at peace we should keep searching until we find the truth.
(comment relates to a novel by Herman Hesse titled Siddhartha)
Mansoor H. Khan