Jimbo Rants: December 2023

Sunday, December 31, 2023

Siddhartha 2023 Day 12 Chapter 12 "Govinda"

This year I'm reading the Dover Thrift Editions translated by Stanley Appelbaum, but most of my quotes are copied and pasted from the Standard Ebook, click here to read it free online.

Talking

Talking was a crucial role in Siddhartha's recovery. He talked and Vasudeva listened. When does Siddhartha listen to Govinda? Instead Siddhartha talks to Govinda. Govinda is seeking, asking, and practically begging Siddhartha for help. Why does Siddhartha listen? Like he learned from Vasudeva and the river. Instead Siddhartha knowingly passes on what he knows will sound like foolishness.

Foolishness

"Wisdom cannot be passed on. Wisdom which a wise man tries to pass on to someone always sounds like foolishness.”

I don't recall this chapter ever sounding so foolish!

I really like the idea that wisdom can't be transferred. I was discussing it in the comments within the last couple days. But really, it's a foolish idea. People learn information that makes them wiser all the time. We don't trial and error everything, luckily. In fact, humans are so successful because we excel at transmitting knowledge and culture.

The unity of opposites is more foolishness. Words are often defined or understood by their opposite meanings. There are factual statements. The Earth orbits the Sun. What's the opposing truth of that? The Sun orbits the Earth? Objects with mass have a force of attraction. What's the opposite there? Second law of thermodynamics or law of conservation. There are three humans in my house. I could keep going. The unity of opposites is a limited philosophical. Things are interconnections. Breaking the world or reality into binary thinking can be useful, but misleading.

All We Need Is Love, Love. Love Is All We Need

"Love, O Govinda, seems to me to be the most important thing of all. To thoroughly understand the world, to explain it, to despise it, may be the thing great thinkers do. But I’m only interested in being able to love the world, not to despise it, not to hate it and me, to be able to look upon it and me and all beings with love and admiration and great respect.”

Love is an idea that almost every religion converges on.

Siddhartha's mindset is worth striving for. Dare I say, a good goal! All else equal, loving and respecting the world and all beings seems to be a very healthy approach. Is it possible? Would humans reproduce, survive, or take over the Earth if we could attain a love for all?

Govinda

Was wisdom transferred to Govinda? How and why did Govinda see all the faces?

Does this prove Siddhartha right or wrong? "Wisdom cannot be passed." But the opposite is just as true. So wisdom can be passed? It appears to pass to Govinda. Readers appear to attain something. Siddhartha is right and wrong, and wrong and right.

Meaning of Characters' Names

                         Part I
Day   1, 20 Dec- Chapter 1: "The Son of the Brahmin"
Day   2, 21 Dec- Chapter 2: "With the Samanas"
Day   3, 22 Dec- Chapter 3: "Gotama"
Day   4, 23 Dec- Chapter 4: "Awakening"
                        Part II
Day   5, 24 Dec- Chapter 5: "Kamala"
Day   6,   25 Dec- Chapter 6: "With the Childlike People"
Day   7,   26 Dec- Chapter 7: "Sansara"
Day   8,   27 Dec- Chapter 8: "By the River"
Day   9,   28 Dec- Chapter 9: "The Ferryman"
Day   10, 29 Dec- Chapter 10: "The Son"
Day   11, 30 Dec- Chapter 11: "Om"
Day 12, 31 Dec- Chapter 12: "Govinda"

Saturday, December 30, 2023

Sidhhartha 2023 Day 11 Chapter 11 "Om"

This year I'm reading the Dover Thrift Editions translated by Stanley Appelbaum, but most of my quotes are copied and pasted from the Standard Ebook, click here to read it free online.

Talking

From chapter 10, "The Son:"

"Neither one talked about what had happened today, neither one mentioned the boy’s name, neither one spoke about him running away, neither one spoke about the wound."

Siddhartha didn't talk about his pain or the causes of his depressions, so he continued to suffer. Until Chapter 11, "Om:"

"Siddhartha sat down next to the old man, slowly he started talking. What they had never talked about, he now told him of, of his walk to the city, at that time, of the burning wound, of his envy at the sight of happy fathers, of his knowledge of the foolishness of such wishes, of his futile fight against them. He reported everything, he was able to say everything, even the most embarrassing parts, everything could be said, everything shown, everything he could tell. He presented his wound, also told how he fled today, how he ferried across the water, a childish runaway, willing to walk to the city, how the river had laughed."

Hesse did psychoanalysis through one of Jung's students. Is it a surprise that sharing and talking helps Siddhartha? I randomly noticed I was mildly depressed a couple years ago. One thing I did was intentionally calling and talking to a few people I was closest with. They may not have even realized I was using them for a therapy session. I'm tempted to say it worked. Talking is a very healthy activity for an unhealthy mind. Siddhartha retelling his story is a cathartic activity. It frees his mind. Once free, he can open his mind to Vasudeva and the voices. (What about Govinda?)

Meaning of Characters' Names

Friday, December 29, 2023

Siddhartha Day 10 Chapter 10 "The Son"

This year I'm reading the Dover Thrift Editions translated by Stanley Appelbaum, but most of my quotes are copied and pasted from the Standard Ebook, click here to read it free online.

Foolish Fool

"Siddhartha realised that his desire was foolish, which had made him go up to this place, that he could not help his son, that he was not allowed to cling him."

Why doesn't Siddhartha take his son to the city and live together? It's such a great compromise. Why is Siddhartha being so selfish? TO save his son from making his mistakes? Really?

Siddhartha has connections in the city. He might even have property rights. He can reach and teach his son more in the city. Kids need community and socialization. Siddhartha really drops the ball here.

Is there a better explanation that selfishness? Anyone buying Siddhartha is trying to save his son?

Talking

From chapter 10, "The Son:"

"Neither one talked about what had happened today, neither one mentioned the boy’s name, neither one spoke about him running away, neither one spoke about the wound."

Siddhartha didn't talk about his pain or the causes of his depressions, so he continued to suffer.

Meaning of Characters' Names

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Siddhartha 2023 Day 9 Chapter 9 "The Ferryman"

This year I'm reading the Dover Thrift Editions translated by Stanley Appelbaum, but most of my quotes are copied and pasted from the Standard Ebook, click here to read it free online.

Chapter Names

Six of the twelve chapters are named after characters in the story, but for some reason, only three of those chapters are named after the character. Gotama, Kamala, and Govinda all have their names in their chapters. Vasudeva doesn't! The two Siddhartha's don't either.

Why isn't the chapter named "Vasudeva?"

Listening is Being

Just be, or being in general, is the worst self help advice. But Vasudeva shows the readers that listening is being. He can sit and be. He doesn't have to interrupt, ask questions, or talk. He can be and listen, and this is medicine to a speaker. To someone like Siddhartha.

I don't know if it had to do with my age or the novel's proximity to Siddhartha, but it took me a long time to realize how much more awesome Vasudeva is than Siddhartha. I'm sure Vasudeva wasn't always this way. We meet him in his enlightened state as an old peaceful man. And still he shines brighter than Gotama.

Will the Real Buddha Please Listen Up

The narrator and Siddhartha praise Gotama constantly. Gotama is varying forms of perfect. Perfect look, perfect walk, perfect this and that. And yet, I don't believe he is the perfect one. Vasudeva is!

Vasudeva doesn't need others to praise him. He is. He smiles, nods, and listens.

Ain't No Help for the Seeker

"No, there was no teaching a truly searching person, someone who truly wanted to find, could accept. But he who had found, he could approve of any teachings, every path, every goal, there was nothing standing between him and all the other thousand any more who lived in that what is eternal, who breathed what is divine."

I think this is right. I wrote a short story where this was my non explicit message. You can't help or advise a seeker. No matter how bad I or you want to help someone, nor how bad they want help, we can't transfer wisdom. The seeker has to seek and find for themselves. A seeker open to exploration, can be guided, like Siddhartha. Siddhartha is open at the river. His shadow, Govinda, didn't recognize Siddhartha. Then after recognizing Sidhhartha, Govinda quickly abandons Siddhartha, in his greatest moment of despair.

Siddhartha is reborn. He is awoken again. He is open. And Vasudeva guides him to continue learning from the river. Siddhartha keeps seeking and continues learning.

Meaning of Characters' Names

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Siddhartha Character Names

Every named character in the novel Siddhartha has a name with additional meaning in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Janism. Knowing the meaning of these names is completely unnecessary for reading Siddhartha, but I think it's worth sharing for anyone interested in diving a little deeper. The following is the short list of all named characters with their shortest explanations. Below is further explanations that I copied from Wiki. For further information, all the hyperlinks are directed to Wiki.

Siddhartha = Siddha + Artha = Buddha

Govinda = Vishnu = Krishna

Gotama = Buddha

Kamala = lotus blossom

Kamaswami = Kama + Svami

Vasudeva = Krishna's father

Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism Terms (from Wiki)

Siddha translates as accomplished or perfected one. Siddha refers to masters with perfection of the intellect, liberation, or enlightenment. In Jainism, siddha refers to the liberated souls who have destroyed all karmas and have obtained moksha.

Artha can translates as meaning, sense, goal, purpose or essence. Artha has broader concepts in the scriptures of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. It has multiple meanings, all of which imply "means of life", activities and resources that enable one to be in a state one wants to be in. In Hindu traditions, artha is one of the four goals or objectives of human life. Artha is connected to the three other aspects and goals of human life: Dharma (virtuous, proper, moral life), Kama (pleasure, sensuality, emotional fulfillment) and Moksha (liberation, release, self-actualization). Together, these four mutually non-exclusive aims of life are called Puruṣārtha.

Govinda translates to one who gives pleasure to the land, the cows, and the senses, or protector of cows. Govinda is an epithet of Vishnu and is also used for his avatars such as Krishna. Etymology In the word "Govinda", "Govu" means Indriyas. Govinda therefore means the all-pervading, omnipresent ruler of the sense organs, or Indriyas. "Govu" also means 'Vedas'. Hence Govinda is the supreme being who can be known through the Vedas.

Gotama is the family name of the Buddha in Pali: Siddhattha Gotama (Pali) and Siddhartha Gautama in Sanskrit,

Kamala means lotus flower, like the reference in the poem Siddhartha gives to Kamala. Kamala is also a name for the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, she who leads to one's goal. She is the goddess of wealth, fortune, power, beauty, fertility and prosperity, associated with Maya (Illusion).

Kama often refers sexual desire. Traditionally, Kama refers to any sensory enjoyment, emotional attraction and aesthetic pleasure. Additionally, Kama may refer to desires, wishes, or longing.

Svami- Hindi svāmī 'master, lord, prince', used by Hindus as a term of respectful address, < Sanskrit svāmin in same senses, also the idol or temple of a god.

Vasudeva is the father of the Hindu deities Krishna (Vāsudeva, i.e. "son of Vasudeva"). The patronymic Vāsudeva (with a pronounced ā) is a popular name of Krishna, the son of Vasudeva and Devaki. "Vāsudeva" is a vṛddhi, a derivative of the short form "Vasudeva", a linguistic pragmatic in Sanskrit signifying "of, belonging to, descended from".[7] "Vasudeva" as an object of worship in Hinduism usually refers to the son Vāsudeva (Krishna), rather than his father Vasudeva.

Day 8 Chapter 8: "By the River"

This year I'm reading the Dover Thrift Editions translated by Stanley Appelbaum, but most of my quotes are copied and pasted from the Standard Ebook, click here to read it free online.

Meaning of Characters' Names

The River

The story started by a river. Siddhartha crossed the river after awakening. Now the river marks another chapter in Siddhatha's life. He is reborn, no longer a rich man living the life style of the rich he's always despised.

Govinda

What does it mean that Govinda cannot recognize Siddhartha? Govinda is blind to what's in front of him, unlike Siddhartha. Govind is supposed to protect Siddhartha's sleep, but then he himself falls asleep. Govinda quickly abandons his childhood friend once Siddhartha wakes up even though it is clear Govinda doesn't have much going on either. Does this feel right.Is Govinda so disgusted with Siddhartha's appearance and apparent selling out that he doesn't care to catch up or talk with his old best friend?

Sleep Death Rebirth

Siddhartha wanted to die. He hit his rock bottom. The river snaps him out of it and he sleeps then Siddhartha is reborn. Many cultures have compared sleep and death. In Eastern philosophies and religions, souls are reincarnated after death. So death is part of the cycle and rebirth. Death is a sleep between lives, before rebirth.

Each sleep, is a opportunity to redirect ones life. To dream or experience a state of subconsciousness.is a mini rebirth. Sleep resets the conscious mind. Siddhartha's dreams and sleep have given him a reset. He is reborn, in a transitory phase.

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Siddhartha 2023 Day 7 Chapter 7: "Sansara"

This year I'm reading the Dover Thrift Editions translated by Stanley Appelbaum, but most of my quotes are copied and pasted from the Standard Ebook, click here to read it free online.

Meaning of Characters' Names

Caged Bird

"She held a rare singing bird captive in a golden cage. She opened the door of the cage, took the bird out and let it fly."

I feel very bad for this rare song bird. Has it ever found its own food? Has it ever evaded other predators? Would it last a single day, a single hour, in the wild?

But Siddhartha wasn't a caged bird. He was taught to read and write. He studied the Vedas. He practiced meditation. He learned to think, fast, and wait. Siddhartha choose his captivity in society. He wanted to experience life. He wanted to learn about himself. He did.

Bipolar

Would Siddhartha be diagnosed with bipolar in the 21st century? If we sum the up the chapters, Siddhartha has severe mood swings.

Ch 1- depressed

Ch 2- depressed

Ch 3- indifference and skepticism, then admiration and motivation

Ch 4- mania, awakened

Ch 5- motivated,

Ch 6- successful, then envious and indifferent

Ch 7- super depressed, extreme thrill seeking

I don't really think Siddhartha is bipolar. The basic structures of stories almost demand these ups and downs. But by chapter 7, "Sansara," Siddhartha is practically an addict. Addicted to high stakes gambling, addicted to extreme behaviors. Siddhartha has traded in one extreme for another.

Monday, December 25, 2023

Siddhartha 2023 Day 6 Chapter 6 "With the Childlike People"

This year I'm reading the Dover Thrift Editions translated by Stanley Appelbaum, but most of my quotes are copied and pasted from the Standard Ebook, click here to read it free online.

Meaning of Characters' Names

Childlike People

For Hesse/Siddhartha childlike is a positive trait. The Buddha has it; Gotama was described as "childlike" when Siddhartha was admiring Gotama.

The awakened Siddhartha had it:

"Beautiful was this world, looking at it thus, without searching, thus simply, thus childlike... Beautiful and lovely it was, thus to walk through the world, thus childlike, thus awoken, thus open to what is near, thus without distrust. "

The narrator suggests most people have it:

"[Siddhartha] saw mankind going through life in a childlike or animallike manner, which he loved and also despised at the same time. He saw them toiling, saw them suffering, and becoming gray for the sake of things which seemed to him to entirely unworthy of this price, for money, for little pleasures, for being slightly honoured, he saw them scolding and insulting each other, he saw them complaining about pain at which a Samana would only smile, and suffering because of deprivations which a Samana would not feel."

"And at several times [Siddhartha] suddenly became scared on account of such thoughts and wished that he would also be gifted with the ability to participate in all of this childlike-naive occupations of the daytime with passion and with his heart, really to live, really to act, really to enjoy and to live instead of just standing by as a spectator."

Siddhartha tells Kamala, "Perhaps people of our kind can’t love. The childlike people can; that’s their secret.”

The standard ebook uses "childlike" 21 times in the novel, not counting the contents or chapter title. The original German by Hesse uses "Kindermensche" (childlike) 12 times, but I assume another similar word or phrase was also used.

Siddhartha admires and despises childlike people. He still carries the scorn of a samana. He sees and holds himself in higher esteem than Kamaswami and others. Kamal is "like" him, see below.

Kamala's Love

“You are the best lover,” she said thoughtfully, “I ever saw. You’re stronger than others, more supple, more willing. You’ve learned my art well, Siddhartha. At some time, when I’ll be older, I’d want to bear your child. And yet, my dear, you’ve remained a Samana, and yet you do not love me, you love nobody. Isn’t it so?”

“It might very well be so,” Siddhartha said tiredly. “I am like you. You also do not love⁠—how else could you practice love as a craft? Perhaps people of our kind can’t love. The childlike people can; that’s their secret.”

Kamala doesn't say she agree with Siddhartha. It is very possible Kamala disagrees. Kamala may love. Her comments suggest to me she may love Siddhartha. Maybe she doesn't share her feelings because of Siddhartha's response. Unfortunately, this is too much Siddhartha's story. We don't get to know what Kamala is thinking or feeling, only what she says to Siddhartha and how the narrator sees her.

Misc

"Pleasure cannot be taken without giving pleasure."

Once again, success comes easy for Siddhartha.

Sunday, December 24, 2023

Siddhartha 2023 Day 5 Chapter 5 "Kamala"

This year I'm reading the Dover Thrift Editions translated by Stanley Appelbaum, but most of my quotes are copied and pasted from the Standard Ebook, click here to read it free online.

Kama

Kama often refers to as sexual desire. Traditionally, Kama refers to any sensory enjoyment, emotional attraction and aesthetic pleasure. Additionally, Kama may refer to desires, wishes, or longing. (Wiki)(Meaning of Characters' Names)

Forsaken

“Siddhartha had a dream: Govinda was standing in front of him, dressed in the yellow robe of an ascetic. Govinda looked sad, and sadly he asked: Why have you forsaken me?”

Another nod to Jesus. This time Govinda is playing the role of Jesus. In Mathew 27:46, Jesus calls out to God from the cross and says,

“Eli! Eli! L’mah sh’vaktani? (My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?).”

This line has varying interpretations. Here are a few: Jesus identifying with humanity and human suffering; Jesus fulfilling the prophecy from Psalm 22, speaking of the suffering and anguish of the righteous person; Jesus experiencing a separation from God and bearing the sin’s of humanity; Leo Tolstoy, one of my favorite authors, interpreted the call to God as a symbolic expression of despair at humanity’s inability to understand the teachings of Jesus.

Back to Govinda and Siddhartha’s dream? What is Govinda forsaking? Does it connect back to Govinda being Siddhartha's shadow? See Day 3 "Gotama" and Day 4 "Awakening." Is the shadow forsaken? Could Siddhartha be forsaking humanity and or an ability to understand? I’d love to hear other’s ideas on this line and dream.

I'll acknowledge the bizarre turn the dream took, but pass for now. Leave a comment to open up the dream discussion.

The Voice

Gotama "had obeyed the voice. To obey like this, not to an external command, only to the voice, to be ready like this, this was good, this was necessary, nothing else was necessary."

Nietzsche would agree. Evolutionary psychology theories might align.

How do others value their inner voice? Is the inner voice a calling to follow?

Being Good Looking

All else considered, life is better good looking. It reminds me of a Ted Talk, “Looks aren't everything. Believe me, I'm a model.” by Cameron Russell. In the opening sentence of the novel, we learned Siddhartha was handsome.

“Siddhartha was thus loved by everyone. He was a source of joy for everybody, he was a delight for them all” (chapter one).

Good fortune follow Siddhartha. For the first time Siddhartha seems happy. He acknowledges his likability.

Smiling, Siddhartha was happy about the friendship and the kindness of the ferryman. “He is like Govinda,” he thought with a smile, “all I meet on my path are like Govinda. All are thankful, though they are the ones who would have a right to receive thanks. All are submissive, all would like to be friends, like to obey, think little. Like children are all people.”

Kamala likes Siddhartha and provides crucial help for his new journey and goal.

Kamala listened to him. She loved his voice, she loved the look from his eyes.

“Perhaps it is so,” she said quietly, “as you say, friend. But perhaps it is also like this: that Siddhartha is a handsome man, that his glance pleases the women, that therefore good fortune is coming towards him.”

Miscellaneous

The ferryman said, “everything returns.” Keep this idea in mind for Part II.

“... to think, to wait, and to fast…” I love this idea. It is something I always take away from the story.

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Siddhartha 2023 Day 4 Chapter 4 "Awakening"

This year I'm reading the Dover Thrift Editions translated by Stanley Appelbaum, but most of my quotes are copied and pasted from the Standard Ebook, click here to read it free online.

More Shadows

Hesse was greatly influenced by Nietzsche. It is very present in Part 1 of Siddhartha. Nietzsche would approve of Siddhartha's critiques on traditional values and support his quest for self realization.

Siddhartha abandoned Govinda, his shadow. When his shadow is gone, Siddhartha awakes. If we run with this shadow idea, Govinda, his shadow, was keeping Siddhartha attached to his religious and societal norms. He tried to denied, escape, and destroy his self.When Siddhartha rejected his father, his shadow followed him. When he rejected the semanas, his shadow followed him. Now, finally, Siddhartha has rejected the Buddha, the holiest of men, the perfect man, the greatest teacher and teaching he could find; and his shadow doesn't follow him. Siddhartha is finally free. He awakens.

Jung, who Hesse was associated with through psychotherapy, refers to shadows as unconscious and repressed personalities. Running with this shadow idea, now that Siddhartha has abandoned his shadow, we should see Siddhartha arise. We should see his desires, impulses, and personality emerge in Part 2 of Siddhartha. Now that his previous identities shouldn't be holding him back. Will we?

False Narratives

Maybe I'm projecting my experiences as universals. But Siddhartha has created a new persona as the outcast among outcasts. He is the most unique and no one else can understand him which is both literally true for everyone and complete BS. Last year, I found an email where I told someone I wasn't like my family. Which I honestly thought was true even though is such a dumb idea. Like it or not, I'm very much like my family. I, maybe like Siddhartha, wanted to be different, better, and unique!

I suspect Siddhartha is very much like his father and family. Siddhartha is the most extreme one. He has the courage to seek outside their Veda texts. To challenge society, tradition, and himself. But this narrative of being so alone, so unique, such an individual among the masses of sheep, is probably a false narrative. A well crafted narrative by Hesse.

Friday, December 22, 2023

Siddhartha 2023 Day 3 Chapter 3 "Gotama"

This year I'm reading the Dover Thrift Editions translated by Stanley Appelbaum, but most of my quotes are copied and pasted from the Standard Ebook, click here to read it free online.

Gotama is the family name of the Buddha in Pali: Siddhattha Gotama (Pali) and Siddhartha Gautama in Sanskrit. Click here for the Meaning of Characters' Names.

Self Actualization

Govinda becomes a man,

"You [Govinda] have become a man and are choosing your path for yourself."

Gotama's followers have to be free of desires, and yet, Siddhartha, not Govinda, seems to be the one who has freed himself from desires.

"No one will achieve salvation through teachings."
"Either to attain my goal alone or to die."

These are moments for Siddhartha and Govinda. Back to walking on water, one must save oneself. Govinda won't be saved following Siddhartha (more on that later). No ones' teaching will save one. But Govinda breaks from Siddhartha to follow another, to follow a teaching, can it save him?

Losing Shadows

Siddhartha loses his shadow. Govinda is Siddhartha's shadow, the story literally refers to it multiple times. When Siddhartha drops Govinda (his shadow), what is lost? Does the shadow represent more than teachings and teachers? What will Siddhartha gain if his shadow returns (more on that later)? What happens when we lose and or find our shadow?