Siddhartha Reading Blog section 4

Siddhartha, the man who was poor, rich, sad, and happy, finally reaches enlightenment. I believe Siddhartha’s struggles were worth living in order to find happiness. I learned a lot from reading the book, and I'll hopefully use it in my life. He lived through hardships, and at the end he used his knowledge to find self peace.

At first I thought he wasn't going to make it; he wouldn't be able to handle all the bad things. Then, I realized that sufferment would give him resistance to go through difficult times. For example: when he left Kamala he was able to resist hunger because of his practice fasting with the Samanas. I have also built up resistance from swim practice.  My hard training is later reflected with my performances at swim meets. In some cases, though, I don’t do as well because I haven’t been disciplined at practice.

 I truly think that  reading this book has taught me to not give up. Siddhartha describes all the things he has learned to achieve inner peace. It was very helpful to read about them because anyone can apply these teachings to their lives. I am glad Siddhartha also thinks hard work pays off, and I hope I will reach my goal as the main character reached his.

Siddhartha Reading Blog section 3

Siddhartha surprised me with his decisions in the third section. He decides to leave Kamala, his only source of felicity, and go off alone. During the years he was with Kamala he lost joy; he didn't hear his inside voice anymore.  His lost of happiness impulses him to take various actions, such as leaving Kamala and trying to kill himself. Thankfully, his inner-voice rejoins him and he finds happiness again.

All the strange occurrences mentioned above made me come up with different questions. Why wasn't he satisfied with his wealthy lifestyle and with Kamala? When did his inside voice disappear? How many years passed while he was unhappy? How old is he now? Why didn't Govinda decide to stay with his friend? What will happen when the Buddha dies? Will he have any sort of relations with another women after leaving Kamala behind? Will he recognize his son when he reaches the river with Kamala?

Section three presented many turning points, and hopefully all my questions will be answered. I have made predictions for the last section regarding my questions. I believe Siddhartha will recognize his son, and that will make him extremely joyful. Then, as soon as the Buddha dies, he will do something with his river knowledge and become the new Buddha. I am anxious to know how the book Siddhartha finalizes!

Siddhartha Reading Blog section 2

Dear Siddhartha,

During these three chapters you have had a significant change in your life. You decided to not belong to a community a travel alone when you left Govinda behind with Buddha. You took a brave decision; now you don't depend on anyone's teaching, and you're getting closer to your inner-peace. I think you will be able to find enlightenment if you learn from yourself.

A teacher I know took similar decisions as you recently did. He wanted to find happiness in what he did, and being an engineer wasn't something he enjoyed. He decided to quit and travel the world on his own. He went all over Central America and volunteered for the communities. There, he found his true self and his passion. My teacher enjoyed helping others, and that's why he then decided to become a professor. "I learned more about myself throughout that year than in my whole life," he says. Thus, I support you with your decision.

All the people you have met on your way have helped you in some way for guidance.  Kamala, for example, helped you get a job, clothes, and a home. If your inner self hadn't told you that you loved her, maybe you wouldn't be as happy as you currently are. There is more to come, so I suggest you to continue with your quest. I assure you that you’ll reach your goal if you listen to your mind.

Cheers to inner peace!

Camila Toro

Siddhartha Reading Blog section 1

I felt a connection to Siddhartha while reading the book. The choices he makes for enlightenment connect to the ones I’m making to find my true self. In this section Siddhartha is getting closer to reach self-peace because of the changes he’s made to his life. I believe I am going through a similar phase because I am also getting ready to leave home and live my own life.

I related my decision to go to boarding school to Siddhartha when he felt he should join the Samanas. When Siddhartha's father finds out his son wants to leave, he gets very upset. My parents were also sad when I told them I wanted to go study abroad. Although they wanted me to experience a new lifestyle, they also wanted me to come back and live with them afterwards. But, after years of insisting them that I wanted to pursue my dreams away, they realized I had a real purpose. They are now letting me leave, just like Siddhartha's father does when he realizes his son's determination.

Siddhartha gets a step ahead in his pursuit of inner peace when he’s allowed to join the Samanas. He uses the skills he learns with the ascetics to talk to Buddha and to come up with his real purpose in life. I hope I’ll be closer to reaching my goals by going to boarding school in the US. I am anxious to start a new adventure, and, from that quest, find my true self and what I want to do when I grow up.