Siddhartha

Published in 1922 and popular in the 60's as an important document in the Flower child generation's search for enlightenment, Siddhartha is a powerful book to this day. It was one of Henry Miller's very favourites and so , of course, I had to read it.

I'd read one other Hesse allegory previously, given to me as a gift several years ago, the short and incredibly sweet Journey Into The West. Similarly, Siddhartha is not a long or taxing novel in any way; the language drifts and flows, like a gentle stream - its simplicity a pure joy to behold! This is writing of the very highest caliber, stripped of unnecessary hyperbole and laborious exposition, filtered down into the most direct form of communication, and as such is one of the most accessible books you will ever read. I took my time with it (about a week), letting it seep in slowly, savouring the ideas, but it could easily be read in a day, even over a medium length train journey.

The idea of reaching an ultimate goal in life, especially the goal of enlightenment or Nirvana, is seen here as completely futile. Simply to be is enough. To experience life and learn through our mistakes and sufferings is a goal in itself and often the journey to realising this is long and arduous. The impossibility of achieving this realisation through short-cuts and by following teachings and texts is beautifully expressed. So often I found myself knowing that what I was reading was the truth, so resonant were the words with me. I cannot express why, only that the echoes of my own experiences and that of the traveller and adventurer Siddhartha are in some strange harmony - and recognising yourself in a work of art means it has done its job well!

I admit I am drawn to Eastern thinking and philosophy and so am bound to find this enticing. It is comforting to know this book has been written and translated and still read some 85 years after its time. And comforting that it was a German, repressed by the Nazis (proof that nationality is irrelevant to spirituality) who wrote it. I will be going back to its pages often, that is certain...

As an aside, I was interested to find that a 1971 film called Zachariah ("the first electric western") transposes the story of Siddhartha and Govinda to the wild west... with electric guitars! This I have to see.