A one of a kind learning and development experience. Siddhartha is a timeless piece of writing created in 1922 by Hermann Hesse. Although it is a work of fiction, it feels and reads more like that of a religious or spiritual text.
The book focuses on Siddhartha's spiritual expedition to enlightenment during the era when Buddha was on Earth spreading his teachings. Hesse was influenced by his only deeply-rooted religious beliefs, his rebellion to Western religion and traditions and curiosity for Eastern religion and philosophy.
Although the novel primarily focuses on Hindu and Buddhist teachings, there is a universal relatability to the story which allows the message to reach all who choose to read this novel. Rather than a heavy focus on religion, there is emphasis on one's untapped self in efforts to rid greed, sin and foolishness.
I enjoyed how Hesse created a protagonist who searches for enlightenment via different paths with different teachers and different religious values. I likened this book to the Alchemist and found it to be a form of self help for those on a spiritual journey to enlightenment. There is a notion of self-awareness and acceptance that the path to enlightenment is just as important as reaching it.
A great addition to this book is the glossary which provides definitions to some of the Hindi and Sanskrit which is used throughout the book to describe religious customs, deities and concepts.
An inspirational novel, filled with wisdom and knowledge. So on that note, I will leave you with a quote from Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse:
“We are not going in circles, we are going upwards. The path is a spiral; we have already climbed many steps.”
Completed on: 19th June 2021
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