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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52036.Siddhartha?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=blog_review" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Siddhartha" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170384393m/52036.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52036.Siddhartha?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">Siddhartha</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1113469.Hermann_Hesse">Hermann Hesse</a><br/><br/>
  <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8831816?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review"><h3>My review</h3></a>
  rating: 4 of 5 stars<br/>Siddhartha’s choices lead him on a journey into the inner psyche.  Siddhartha is open to any experiences that will give him added insight into himself.  His approach to achieving enlightenment varies from one extreme to another, from total self-deprivation to complete submission of will to carnal desires.  While his approach to attaining enlightenment varies throughout the different stages of his life, one thing remains constant: Siddhartha’s determination to attain self-actualization.  Siddhartha compares his determination to a stone dropped in the water, “It is the same when Siddhartha has an aim, a goal.  Siddhartha does nothing; he waits, he thinks, he fasts, but he goes through the affairs of the world like the stone through the water, without doing anything, without bestirring himself; he is drawn and lets himself fall.  He is drawn by his goal, for he does not allow anything to enter his mind which opposes his goal.”   This is the epitome of Siddhartha’s disposition.  His search for meaning is not impeded by any distraction.  And while Siddhartha’s course of action varies at different stages of his process, his choices are not influenced by anything with which will detour him from his ultimate object.  This is what sets Siddhartha apart from the rest.  In his search, he attributes success to this undeviating course of action: “Most people, Kamala, are like a falling leaf that drifts and turns in the air, flutters, and falls to the ground.  But a few others are like stars, which travel one defined path: no wind reaches them, they have within themselves their guide and path.”   Siddhartha’s determination is depicted in every aspect of this novel.  Whether it is the conviction he shows to his father in acquiring permission to join the Samanas, the boldness he demonstrates to Gotama, or the resolve he has with Kamala in obtaining worldly experiences, Siddhartha exemplifies the resoluteness necessary to search deep within the self.  Yet in the end, Siddhartha discovers that it is not this disciplined seeking that will bring him enlightenment, but rather letting go of all previous learning and preconceptions.  Knowledge had withheld wisdom.  In the end he learns wisdom is only found within.  “Wisdom is not communicable.  The wisdom which a wise man tries to communicate always sounds foolish… knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom.  One can find it, live it, be fortified by it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.” 
<br/>Siddhartha passes through many stages in his life, beginning with the learned Brahmin, the ascetic Samana, the greedy merchant, and finally the enlightened Ferryman.  Was it possible for Siddhartha to reach enlightenment without passing through these many stages?  I do not believe so. What enabled Siddhartha to achieve enlightenment was the fact that he never allowed himself to be conquered.  His quest for self-knowledge was accomplished because he built upon the wisdom of previous choices.  However difficult the next step may have seemed, Siddhartha was immovable in his search.  Siddhartha offers insight into the most innate longings to the improvement of oneself.  
<br/>	I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  It has given me greater understanding into my own personal longings of self-contemplation.  I related to each of the characters, both their flaws and their strengths.  Govinda exemplifies in myself my natural tendency to seek wisdom through the study of other’s experiences and the knowledge they gained.  The young Siddhartha represents in me the desire to know at the expense of living and loving.  The merchant represents my impatience in having what I want now.  And while some of the precepts of this book are in conflict with my own personal beliefs, I believe that basic principles taught through the experiences of Siddhartha will forever alter my perception of both myself and my surroundings.
<br/>
  <br/><br/><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/608550?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">View all my reviews.</a>

Lauren's review
rating:

Siddhartha’s choices lead him on a journey into the inner psyche. Siddhartha is open to any experiences that will give him added insight into himself. His approach to achieving enlightenment varies from one extreme to another, from total self-deprivation to complete submission of will to carnal desires. While his approach to attaining enlightenment varies throughout the different stages of his life, one thing remains constant: Siddhartha’s determination to attain self-actualization. Siddhartha compares his determination to a stone dropped in the water, “It is the same when Siddhartha has an aim, a goal. Siddhartha does nothing; he waits, he thinks, he fasts, but he goes through the affairs of the world like the stone through the water, without doing anything, without bestirring himself; he is drawn and lets himself fall. He is drawn by his goal, for he does not allow anything to enter his mind which opposes his goal.” This is the epitome of Siddhartha’s disposition. ...more Siddhartha’s choices lead him on a journey into the inner psyche. Siddhartha is open to any experiences that will give him added insight into himself. His approach to achieving enlightenment varies from one extreme to another, from total self-deprivation to complete submission of will to carnal desires. While his approach to attaining enlightenment varies throughout the different stages of his life, one thing remains constant: Siddhartha’s determination to attain self-actualization. Siddhartha compares his determination to a stone dropped in the water, “It is the same when Siddhartha has an aim, a goal. Siddhartha does nothing; he waits, he thinks, he fasts, but he goes through the affairs of the world like the stone through the water, without doing anything, without bestirring himself; he is drawn and lets himself fall. He is drawn by his goal, for he does not allow anything to enter his mind which opposes his goal.” This is the epitome of Siddhartha’s disposition. His search for meaning is not impeded by any distraction. And while Siddhartha’s course of action varies at different stages of his process, his choices are not influenced by anything with which will detour him from his ultimate object. This is what sets Siddhartha apart from the rest. In his search, he attributes success to this undeviating course of action: “Most people, Kamala, are like a falling leaf that drifts and turns in the air, flutters, and falls to the ground. But a few others are like stars, which travel one defined path: no wind reaches them, they have within themselves their guide and path.” Siddhartha’s determination is depicted in every aspect of this novel. Whether it is the conviction he shows to his father in acquiring permission to join the Samanas, the boldness he demonstrates to Gotama, or the resolve he has with Kamala in obtaining worldly experiences, Siddhartha exemplifies the resoluteness necessary to search deep within the self. Yet in the end, Siddhartha discovers that it is not this disciplined seeking that will bring him enlightenment, but rather letting go of all previous learning and preconceptions. Knowledge had withheld wisdom. In the end he learns wisdom is only found within. “Wisdom is not communicable. The wisdom which a wise man tries to communicate always sounds foolish… knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, be fortified by it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.”
Siddhartha passes through many stages in his life, beginning with the learned Brahmin, the ascetic Samana, the greedy merchant, and finally the enlightened Ferryman. Was it possible for Siddhartha to reach enlightenment without passing through these many stages? I do not believe so. What enabled Siddhartha to achieve enlightenment was the fact that he never allowed himself to be conquered. His quest for self-knowledge was accomplished because he built upon the wisdom of previous choices. However difficult the next step may have seemed, Siddhartha was immovable in his search. Siddhartha offers insight into the most innate longings to the improvement of oneself.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has given me greater understanding into my own personal longings of self-contemplation. I related to each of the characters, both their flaws and their strengths. Govinda exemplifies in myself my natural tendency to seek wisdom through the study of other’s experiences and the knowledge they gained. The young Siddhartha represents in me the desire to know at the expense of living and loving. The merchant represents my impatience in having what I want now. And while some of the precepts of this book are in conflict with my own personal beliefs, I believe that basic principles taught through the experiences of Siddhartha will forever alter my perception of both myself and my surroundings.
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message 1: by TW

03/11/2008 04:26PM

Excellent p.o.v. for the review.

Thank you.