Siddhartha is an extraordinary book for the messages it transmits to those who are willing to listen, just as Siddhartha was willing to listen and learn from the river. The novel abounds with many passages that induce reflections, both on the path of the world and on the personal path. Seven reflections are worth mentioning.
One: Each individual carries the responsibility to find their own personal and spiritual path. They must find the proper balance with themselves and with the rest of the world. All this is only possible by letting go of their origins and backgrounds; their past, the efforts and achievements; and finally, the burden of age and the regrets of life. The important thing is to do it – it is never too late.
Two. Wisdom is gained through experience, not just through teachings. For Siddhartha it is in fact fundamental to experiment on one’s own skin, rather than learning wisdom through study and and teachings given by others, which, however important, are not enough.
Three: Earthly life is an illusion. The veil of Maya does not allow us to see beyond appearances.
Four. Wisdom is halfway between the excesses of asceticism and the passionate and earthly life. Siddhartha tries both of these paths, the first with the Samanas, the second with Kamala, and discovers that Nature is an eternal cycle of complementary opposites, just like the black and white of the Tao symbol.
Five. The wise one is not necessarily someone who has never wronged. In fact, Siddhartha makes numerous mistakes in the course of his life, more or less serious, but he learns from his experience.
Six: The sense of equilibrium and feeling of peace are not necessarily found when what was sought is achieved. The balance and harmony are rather discovered when the soul has gone through its due course of pleasure and pain, and now is predisposed and ready for inner peace.
Seven: The comforts of life cannot and should not bind us. They must one day give way to spiritual search. Passing through suffering and pain, through learning, the path transforms, modulates and finally radically changes our inward and outward vision. Only then can we feel and tread the path on a more intimate and profound level, leading us to a fuller life.
A book that has deeply infected and influenced millions of readers, writers and thinkers, Siddhartha is definitely one of the ten most inspiring books of all times. Grab hold of it now and delight in its unique richness: This is a must-read for those who are not afraid of adventures – not the external, but the adventure of the journey within. In this inward journey, you shall discover a wholly different person in you and uncover a wholly different meaning to life!
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