Classics Without All the Class discussion

Even if you are not Buddhist or religious, we are all on a journey.

What in Siddhartha spoke to you about your own spiritual odyssey?

I feel that in reading this, I have come to the realization that I am always trying to do something, be something or get something. Rather than actually appreciating all the wonderful things that are around me; including myself. If you think about it, do any of us truly sit and just love life? Sidhartha has awaken in me the desire to reach nirvana....or at least to be content in all that life has to offer.

I love the "life is a journey" metaphor. Siddhartha and I have a lot in common...except the Buddhist thing. I related to his misery and forgetting the spiritual when he became obsessed with the ways of the world. I did a similar full-circle thing after being raised to be a good boy, then my drug-crazed high school days, and then later became a Mormon missionary for 2 years (after I cleaned up of course). Now I'm a father and trying to teach my kids. They're still too young to be on their own journey, but it's coming soon. I loved being able to see myself from a parallel perspective. I also think there is something noble about believing. Yes! choose belief--doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. He who seeks will find.

It's funny, I think that we are all on our own path of self-discovery, and that leads us all to very different places during different times of our lives. It's also interesting how some people go through the journey faster than others, how some can settle down and be happy with their lives so early is fascinating. For those that struggled like Siddhartha as well as myself, I feel like the journey teaches us so much about life that we wouldn't have learned otherwise.

I still feel I'm learning what Siddhartha is learning. I've spent my life searching for my place, trying to get ahead, achieve something, and in doing so I've certainly overlooked things. I went to college and law school, pursued a career, but none of it provided happiness. Now, in my forties, I'm trying to enjoy every moment and not worry about the big things.

This is really good. Glad I'm finally getting to read this and hopefully gain some more insight into what life is really about. Having less regrets as I'm reflecting on parts of the book where it seems one has to oh through the process to get anywhere vs already having all the answers. Like his intellectual side and his life experience side - both have value to learning.

The first time I read this, as a teenager about to go into college, it spoke to me on so many different levels. During that time, it wasn't just about finding enlightenment but really about finding myself and the right path for me.

Even though Siddhartha strives to find truth, I think that he also finds himself in the process. That is what I have always carried with me every time I read this book.

There are so many ways this story touched me. Most profoundly, I was encouraged by Siddartha's spiritual growth over time. His father laid a foundation and while Siddartha was not happy at home, he had extraordinary qualities that he learned from his father that gave him the strength to get through difficult situations on his spiritual journey and even when he was behaving irresponsibly, he often recalled aspects of his early life that he valued. It gives me hope for myself and for my children that making mistakes and losing faith don't have to be permanent and in the end these experiences can shape us into more insightful, effective, spiritual individuals.

The growth speaks to me, as well. It's so easy to be judgmental of youth, as we forget that we were once young and struggling with "self" too. Age often brings understanding and certainly more humility. Growth and experience in the world is certainly something we can all relate to. It's encouraging when I'm struggling with something now to look back and see how far I've come. I've grown, whether I recognize it in my immediate struggle or not.