Siddhartha

[gillian]

I read Siddhartha by Herman Hesse the other day.  Skipping the intro which I just couldn't get into I has kind of half heartedly reading the beginning not really getting into it.  After a chapter or so I found myself pretty enthralled through.  Without giving too much away what I really enjoyed was the descriptions and reflections of Siddhartha's journey of personal development. It's a short book but it packs in a lot to reflect about.

[Hagethuriel]

Siddhartha is one of my favourite books . I still recall  from it ;

Life is like the river , everything changes , nothing remains the same everything returns .

On the value of meditation ;

Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself .

Om is the bow , the arrow is the soul , nirvana is the goal .

I bought the rest of Herman Hesse's books none were as good .
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Hermann_Hesse

Magister Ludi was hailed when I was in university and we were required to read it but it was ordinary and not memorable . I read them all in the great hope another would be as great .

[gillian]

I also didn't connect with Herman Hesse's other books. 

one of my favorite lines from Siddhartha was - " I do not desire to walk on water."

and

from the Buddha: "you are clever O samana - you speak cleverly - beware of too much cleverness."

The first quote reminds me to always remember what it is that I really want and not get distracted and the second reminds we that just because I can make myself "right" through clever words doesn't mean that I'm on the path to where I really want to go.  There are so many layers in that book.

[.UnderINK.]

Siddhartha was good. Seems I'm in the out, though. I preferred Demian: The Story of Emil Sinclair's Youth, and its concept of Abraxas. Not by far, but slightly. I've read it several times.

[gillian]

That must have been the one I didn't read .underink - perhaps I should give it a try. I've heard about the concept of Abraxis - is it something to do with Plato and standing "between worlds?"

[lunabombed]

Oh yeah, I started reading that book some time ago. I liked the beggining so far, its just that I was too lazy to finish it.. 

[Sam]

Siddartha is one of my favorite books.  I have read it twice and each time I found a new insight.  One of the main things I remember from the book was that everyone is looking for something.  Many people look up to a leader / guru figure, listen to all the lectures, read all the books, 'speak to buddha', but none of it will give you instant access to enlightenment - you have to look inwards for your answers.  Thats what I gained from it, and the knowledge has served me well.

I give it three thumbs up (out of two)

[Principle]

We are actually reading this book at the moment in my European Literature class,
I will post my review on the book once I am finished reading the book.

[Kraven Obscuria]

I am "guilty" of watching the movie instead.  It was a great, inspiring journey which showcases the fact that enlightment must come from within.  The character goes thru many stages of searching, like most people and it is quite enjoyeable to watch.