Siddhartha by Herman Hesse*****

Reading dates: 7 April-18 June 2024

I have tried to read Siddhartha four times finding it too internal and too esoteric (are these contradictory) all other times and truly delightful now. I think it is not an introductory novel, it requires previous knowledge of wisdom traditions to be able to apprehend the live journey and decisions of the main character and understand what he learns and how he learns it.

Perhaps because I am at a stage of life where I am seeking, it has deeply resonated with me. I found it beautiful and loving. Bit it also provided a cautionary tale:

‘seeking means: to have a goal; but finding means: to be free, to be receptive, to have no goal, for in striving towards your goal, you do not see many things that are under your nose’

One of the most beautiful parts relates to the difference between knowledge and wisdom, which I related to Lacan’s savoir and connaissance:

‘Wisdom cannot be imparted. Wisdom that a wise man attempts to impart always sounds like foolishness to someone else . . . Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.’