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Finding Enlightenment





Self-discovery, spirituality and meaning in life were the predominant themes of the great writer Herman Hesse who won the Nobel in 1947. He spent some time in India and was fascinated by the Upanishads and other Hindu scriptures. Siddhartha (1923) was one of the resultant novels. Conrad Rooks made an excellent movie out of this novel in 1972 starring Shashi Kapoor in the lead role.

Siddhartha is a young Brahmin whose marriage is being arranged by his parents when he decides to pursue asceticism. First he joins the wandering ascetics (Samanas), then goes to the Buddha, for attaining enlightenment. It takes years to realise that enlightenment cannot be taught by others. One has to learn it by oneself though others may be able to show some lights.

Siddhartha’s spiritual quest takes him to a most unlikely person too: Kamala, a courtesan whose fee is beyond Siddhartha’s imagination. He decides to earn the money required and does it sooner than we would expect. He becomes the most loyal staff of a wealthy trader and gets more money than required. A period of sensuous pleasures follows. But a person like Siddhartha, who is a seeker at heart, cannot be contented with such delights. His quest continues. Finally he does attain enlightenment.

Enlightenment comes from within. Not from out there anywhere. Prescribed doctrines cannot give you enlightenment. Look within deep enough and then you will see that what you have been searching for all over the world – in the mountains and valleys, deserts and forests – is lying just there: in your own heart. Those who don’t discover the deepest truths in their own hearts are religious only in name. Such people create problems in the name of religions and gods. Those who have attained enlightenment bring peace and harmony around.

We are all fragmented creatures, broken at heart by many painful experiences contributed magnanimously by those around us including parents and close ones. Spirituality is about healing that fragmentation. Not about prayers and rituals. Prayers and rituals may help in the process. But the goal is not just offering prayers to please gods. Not performing some rituals which we think will bring us divine blessings. No, it doesn’t work that way at all. Any prayer, any ritual, which doesn’t touch your heart is worthless. Read Siddhartha if you haven’t already to discover the meaning of religion, spirituality and enlightenment.

PS. This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon

Previous Posts in this series:

1. Heights of Evil

2. Pip Learns the Essential Lessons

3. Delusions and Ironies of Love

4. Good Old Days without meetings

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. Shifali September 2, 2024 at 7:56 AM

    I agree Enlightenment comes from within. I too have seen many people with beads in their hand the whole day but have very little wisdom in them. It is hard yo find internal peace but I feel this book may guide with dome of the steps.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalSeptember 2, 2024 at 8:17 AM

      Books, like gurus, can show the way. How we walk that way is up to us.

      Delete
  2. Yamini MacLeanSeptember 2, 2024 at 2:36 PM

    Hari OM
    Oh yes, this is one my all-time favourite books! Read it in my teens and twice since. Time for a revisit... YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalSeptember 2, 2024 at 4:03 PM

      My copy had a lot of notes and comments I made as I read it again and again. But it was taken away by someone more than 25 years ago.

      Delete
  3. AmritaSeptember 2, 2024 at 5:44 PM

    A very interesting review.Religion and spiritual have many ways of reaching the same goal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalSeptember 2, 2024 at 7:03 PM

      Not a review really.
      I'm glad you make a distinction between religion and spirituality.

      Delete
  4. Liz A.September 3, 2024 at 1:04 AM

    That's the hard part. Or the easy part. It depends on where one is at on their journey.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalSeptember 3, 2024 at 7:31 AM

      Agree with you because I've gone through some of that.

      Delete
  5. A Rustic MindSeptember 3, 2024 at 1:55 PM

    I'm now intrigued to check out the Conrad Rooks movie starring Shashi Kapoor

    ReplyDelete
  6. Memory FliesSeptember 9, 2024 at 4:18 PM

    Enlightenment comes within. Being Buddhist I read many books on Buddha. But this not yet. Your review intriguing. I wanted to check this book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalSeptember 9, 2024 at 6:49 PM

      Hesse was a brilliant writer. Go ahead and read him.

      Delete
  7. rupam sarmaSeptember 11, 2024 at 9:01 AM

    Well written, Loved your review of Siddhartha

    ReplyDelete

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