Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. My Biggest Takeaways.

Daily, I try to surround myself with positivity.    That would come from listening to a self-help podcast or audiobook at the beginning of my day. 

Brene Brown's book 'The Gifts Of Imperfection' was the first book a Google search labeled as 'spiritual self-help' I'd read and enjoy.    Afterward, I asked, where can I get more of this?     

An online search helped me discover books in the same vein.   Such as 'Way of the Peaceful Warrior,'' The Celestine Prophecy,' 'Return to Love,' 'Power of Now,' and 'Siddartha.'

What is 'spiritual self-help?'    Self-improvement taught through a spiritual experience lens.

The premise of Siddartha; wanting more in life, working towards that, and living it.   

Here are two of my biggest takeaways from this book.

-'It was the self, the purpose, and essence of which I sought to learn.    I was the self, I wanted to free myself from, which I sought to overcome.    But I was not able to overcome it, could only decieve it, could only flee from it, only hide from it.    Truly, no thing in this world has kept my thoughts thus busy as this my very own self, this mastery of me being alive, of me being one and being separated and isolated from all others, of me being Siddhartha!    And there is no thing in this world I know less about than about me, about Siddhartha.'   Page 478

I've heard before that often we get in the way of ourselves.    We overthink things and give ourselves a hundred reasons to not do something when we should.    Like Ryan Holiday's book title 'The Obstacle is the Way.'   Getting uncomfortable, getting messy, this is where personal growth happens.

-'I have travelled for my amusement.    For what else?   I have gotten to know people and places, I have received kindness and trust, I have found friendship.    Look, my dear, if I had been Kamaswami, I would have traveled back, being annoyed and in a hurry, as soon as I had seen that my purchase had been rendered impossible, and time and money would indeed have been lost.    But like this, I've had a few good days, I've learned, had joy, I've neither harmed myself nor others by annoyance and hastiness.    And if I'll ever return there again, perhaps to buy an upcoming harvest or for whatever purpose it might be, friendly people will receive me in a friendly and happy manner, and I will praise myself for not showing any hurry and displeasure at that time.'   Page 843

Bruce Lee has a quote where he says 'be water.'    I interpret this as being fluid and work on making the best of a situation.    Take the high road.    Always honor your feelings of annoyance, anger, fear.   Don't swallow them, don't live in them.   

I like this style of story which teaches lessons in an understated way.    Siddhartha is recommended.

Have you read this book?    Thoughts, comments below.    You can read/listen to the book by clicking this affiliate link here https://amzn.to/2Pjkdnn