Siddhartha's Identity
Throughout the discussion and analyzing of Siddhartha, the cultural and contextual works focused mainly on the protagonist, Siddhartha, undergoing a change in his identity. As the novel revealed Siddhartha’s road to self-discovery, there were challenging obstacles that appeared before him; however, it was an opportunity for him to reflect upon and grow. Siddhartha is an intelligent man who goes on a journey in search for spiritual enlightenment. His goal was to abandon emptiness; he wanted to become empty of desire, thirst, and pleasure to experience the peace of an emptied heart. While Siddhartha visits many places he also encounters people who influence him. He learns about love, business, and wisdom from Kamala, Kamaswami, and Vasudeva.
Of the three lessons, Vasudeva’s teaching of wisdom strongly impacts Siddhartha in a positive and helpful way. Vasudeva teaches Siddhartha not only about ferrying a boat but also how to listen to the river’s wisdom. The river symbolized the eternal flow of life. Just as his life was changing but also unchanging simultaneously, the river too, moved but remained flowing in only one direction. Reading and analyzing Siddhartha allowed me to have a better understanding and perspective of life. This book has taught me that we as humans set our standards to the expectation of others. We tend to function on the approval of others. However, this is not the way to achieve personal satisfaction. It only leads a life filled with regret rather than happiness. Siddhartha was struggling to do his best in life. He wanted to please his father and everyone else in the village. Then one day, instead of holding in the weariness, Siddhartha decides to find who he really is so that he knows the true feeling of contentment. His brave decision has encouraged and reminded me to live a life that I would not regret when I look back. I tend to keep everything to myself believing that if I make certain actions it would disappoint people around me. However, I’ve learned that pleasing others would only benefit themselves. It would only allow me to lose time and all the hard work I've put into just for others to gain their own benefit.
Of the three lessons, Vasudeva’s teaching of wisdom strongly impacts Siddhartha in a positive and helpful way. Vasudeva teaches Siddhartha not only about ferrying a boat but also how to listen to the river’s wisdom. The river symbolized the eternal flow of life. Just as his life was changing but also unchanging simultaneously, the river too, moved but remained flowing in only one direction. Reading and analyzing Siddhartha allowed me to have a better understanding and perspective of life. This book has taught me that we as humans set our standards to the expectation of others. We tend to function on the approval of others. However, this is not the way to achieve personal satisfaction. It only leads a life filled with regret rather than happiness. Siddhartha was struggling to do his best in life. He wanted to please his father and everyone else in the village. Then one day, instead of holding in the weariness, Siddhartha decides to find who he really is so that he knows the true feeling of contentment. His brave decision has encouraged and reminded me to live a life that I would not regret when I look back. I tend to keep everything to myself believing that if I make certain actions it would disappoint people around me. However, I’ve learned that pleasing others would only benefit themselves. It would only allow me to lose time and all the hard work I've put into just for others to gain their own benefit.