Siddhartha Reflection Paper

Section III: Siddhartha’s Search for Meaning
The model of a meaningful life is presented through the work of Herman Hesse in his novel Siddhartha. He explores the story of the ongoing journey towards his attainment of truth, modeled after the life of the Buddha. Siddhartha, a young son of a Brahmin resided in northern India around 550 B.C.E, and set out on a lifelong journey searching for the answer to the nature of reality. He began his journey shortly after experiencing boredom with his life as a prince inside the walls of his kingdom, inherently sheltered from the pain and suffering occurring outside. With high expectations from his father, Siddhartha was disinterested in his perfectly manicured life, and realized that life’s former pleasures
He expresses the vast difference between wisdom and knowledge and how important the dissociation of the two is in the learning process. Wisdom, being a personal attainment of knowledge, only found through the self, is something can only be guided. This is the largest struggle in modern society. It is impossible to find an individualized path when the opinions of others impede ones thoughts. Attachments in materials and ego become an anchor in ones life when we follow others, not allowing for a person path to be uncovered. This is the main reason why Siddhartha knows, in his heart, that parting ways with his best friend will allow him to find his path. The many people he encountered before this interaction on his journey are those who guided him toward this enlightenment since he began with the idea that teachers cannot teach, they simply guide. He suggests this idea during his interaction with his beautiful lover
I only know how to listen and be devout; otherwise I have learned nothing. If I could talk and teach, I would perhaps be a teacher, but as it is I am only a ferryman and it is my task to take people across this river. (Hesse 86)
He continued to describe that to most, the river was an obstacle, but a select few had listened and learned from it. Siddhartha trekked on to learn just as Vasudeva suggested. The act of listening to the self and learning with an open soul without judgment or desire is where Siddhartha found his answer. He was able to recognize that the river represented a unification of life with its timeless aspect and its many voices. He learned through all of these aspects and his enlightenment was achieved by remaining in the present moment without being caught up with attachment. The river represented life itself to Siddhartha; it was knowledge that once again evolved into personal wisdom through the interpretation of the divine essence it represented. The teachings of the river we the most powerful of all because they were not spoken, and were up to the student that Siddhartha was to interpret for himself. He confirmed to himself that enlightenment is attained when you are present enough to be guided by the silence of the world. The river was the most important sign that Siddhartha had found on his path. To find our paths to truth we must uncover the hidden guides and