Chapter 2: With the Chapter 2: With the SamanasSamanasFeracoFeraco

Search for Human PotentialSearch for Human Potential

4 October 20114 October 2011

Siddhartha’s first experience with life Siddhartha’s first experience with life outside his home is reminiscent of outside his home is reminiscent of Gotama’s impression of the rest of the Gotama’s impression of the rest of the world – those first glimpses of pain, world – those first glimpses of pain, deprivation, and struggledeprivation, and struggle

The difference is that Gotama was moved, The difference is that Gotama was moved, while Siddhartha claims that “all were not while Siddhartha claims that “all were not worth a passing glance, everything lied, worth a passing glance, everything lied, stank of lies; they were all illusions of stank of lies; they were all illusions of sense, happiness and beauty. All were sense, happiness and beauty. All were doomed to decay. The world tasted bitter. doomed to decay. The world tasted bitter. Life was pain.”Life was pain.”

Purity is his goal…but should we chase Purity is his goal…but should we chase perfection?perfection?

Aren’t we just guaranteed to suffer if we Aren’t we just guaranteed to suffer if we seek something we can’t reach?seek something we can’t reach?

First GlimpsesFirst Glimpses

Cure vs. DiseaseCure vs. Disease In his doomed effort to chase perfection, In his doomed effort to chase perfection,

Siddhartha suffers intenselySiddhartha suffers intensely Sometimes the cure is worse than the diseaseSometimes the cure is worse than the disease

Siddhartha’s body decays – graphically – Siddhartha’s body decays – graphically – over the course of three years as he tries over the course of three years as he tries to shatter the Selfto shatter the Self He saves everything – even his breathHe saves everything – even his breath Trying to suffocate the Self in order to reach Trying to suffocate the Self in order to reach

the truth behind itthe truth behind it He has the “right idea” (i.e., looking He has the “right idea” (i.e., looking

behind the veil) mixed in with a whole lot behind the veil) mixed in with a whole lot of wrongof wrong

A lot of what happens in the second A lot of what happens in the second chapter follows that pattern – hints chapter follows that pattern – hints of what should be happening of what should be happening drowning in seas of misdirectiondrowning in seas of misdirection

The moment where his soul is The moment where his soul is basically bopping from body to body basically bopping from body to body is another exampleis another example

The visions Siddhartha has represent The visions Siddhartha has represent the Samsara cycle he’s still trapped the Samsara cycle he’s still trapped in – and he doesn’t quite see it, at in – and he doesn’t quite see it, at least not at firstleast not at first There’s a dim understanding of unity at work here in his There’s a dim understanding of unity at work here in his

attempts at escape, but he’s so caught up in himself and attempts at escape, but he’s so caught up in himself and his “onerous life cycle” that he doesn’t consciously his “onerous life cycle” that he doesn’t consciously understand what’s happening to himunderstand what’s happening to him

Muddled VisionsMuddled Visions

We see on the chapter’s second page that We see on the chapter’s second page that he’s being instructed by the eldest he’s being instructed by the eldest SamanaSamana Wasn’t it only a few paragraphs ago that Wasn’t it only a few paragraphs ago that

Siddhartha was all anti-teacher?Siddhartha was all anti-teacher? But we soon see him questioning the But we soon see him questioning the

Samanas’ methods and teachings, just as Samanas’ methods and teachings, just as he challenged the elders in his villagehe challenged the elders in his village

He bemoans the temporary nature of his He bemoans the temporary nature of his escape (escape (remember thisremember this))

Once again, no one seems to know the Once again, no one seems to know the way to reach what Siddhartha seeks way to reach what Siddhartha seeks Remember, he distrusts teachers because Remember, he distrusts teachers because

many of them haven’t achieved what they’re many of them haven’t achieved what they’re trying to teach others to dotrying to teach others to do

Sloughing Off TeachersSloughing Off Teachers

When Govinda defends the Samanas’ methods, When Govinda defends the Samanas’ methods, he and Siddhartha begin discussing the futility of he and Siddhartha begin discussing the futility of their search in terms of intoxicationtheir search in terms of intoxication

You speak thus, my friend, and yet you know that You speak thus, my friend, and yet you know that Siddhartha is no driver of oxen and a Samana is Siddhartha is no driver of oxen and a Samana is no drunkard. The drinker does indeed find no drunkard. The drinker does indeed find escape, he does indeed find a short respite and escape, he does indeed find a short respite and rest, but he returns from the illusion and finds rest, but he returns from the illusion and finds everything as it was before. He has not grown everything as it was before. He has not grown wiser, he has not gained knowledge, he has not wiser, he has not gained knowledge, he has not climbed any higher.climbed any higher.

I do not know. I have never been a drunkard. But I do not know. I have never been a drunkard. But that I, Siddhartha, only find a short respite in my that I, Siddhartha, only find a short respite in my exercises and meditation, and am as remote from exercises and meditation, and am as remote from wisdom, from salvation, as a child in the womb, wisdom, from salvation, as a child in the womb, that, Govinda, I do know.that, Govinda, I do know.

Intoxication IIntoxication I

Intoxication is a really easy metaphorIntoxication is a really easy metaphor It’s the willing surrender of control to It’s the willing surrender of control to

corruption, a substitution of poison for corruption, a substitution of poison for experience, an inherently empty, sad, and self-experience, an inherently empty, sad, and self-destructive pursuitdestructive pursuit

In other words, it’s one of the ultimate In other words, it’s one of the ultimate expressions of desire’s relationship to expressions of desire’s relationship to suffering: there is nothing to gain from suffering: there is nothing to gain from drunkenness but false escapedrunkenness but false escape It is It is too easytoo easy

This, in turn, is one of the reasons why Hesse This, in turn, is one of the reasons why Hesse shows Siddhartha drinking so heavily in the shows Siddhartha drinking so heavily in the “Samsara” chapter; he poisons himself because “Samsara” chapter; he poisons himself because he leads a poisoned lifehe leads a poisoned life

We find consolations, we learn tricks with We find consolations, we learn tricks with which we deceive ourselves, but the essential which we deceive ourselves, but the essential thing – the way – we do not find.thing – the way – we do not find.

Intoxication IIIntoxication II

He’s getting faster – it took about eighteen years He’s getting faster – it took about eighteen years to flee the Brahmins, and only three to ditch the to flee the Brahmins, and only three to ditch the SamanasSamanas

If the forest is about stagnation – a kind of self-If the forest is about stagnation – a kind of self-inflicted torment – the Samanas’ lifestyle is about inflicted torment – the Samanas’ lifestyle is about another kind entirelyanother kind entirely

The idea driving the Samanas’ actions is a simple The idea driving the Samanas’ actions is a simple one: human life is filled with desire, and that one: human life is filled with desire, and that desire causes sufferingdesire causes suffering

If one burns away one’s own If one burns away one’s own humanityhumanity – becomes – becomes uncivilized, denies the body what it wants, etc. – uncivilized, denies the body what it wants, etc. – one could, in theory, stop wanting, and one could, in theory, stop wanting, and consequently look beyond the blindness caused consequently look beyond the blindness caused by living as one’s flawed Selfby living as one’s flawed Self

Piercing the veil – moving through Maya and into Piercing the veil – moving through Maya and into SatyamSatyam

StagnationStagnation

The Samanas’ approach is particularly The Samanas’ approach is particularly flawed because it contains a fundamental flawed because it contains a fundamental contradictioncontradiction

In order to continue existence as a In order to continue existence as a Samana, one must violate its credos dailySamana, one must violate its credos daily

One must stop asceticism in order to eat One must stop asceticism in order to eat at some point, to sleep at othersat some point, to sleep at others

Not wanting something you can’t have is Not wanting something you can’t have is one thing; is denying yourself what you one thing; is denying yourself what you cancan have analogous? have analogous?

The clear implication is that life is not The clear implication is that life is not compatible with the Samana way – a big compatible with the Samana way – a big hint that either their outlook is mistaken hint that either their outlook is mistaken or that they’re going about things or that they’re going about things incorrectlyincorrectly

The Flaw in the PlanThe Flaw in the Plan

What remains from all that seems What remains from all that seems holy to us? What remains? What is holy to us? What remains? What is preserved?preserved?

The Samanas’ principles of The Samanas’ principles of asceticism – compared unfavorably asceticism – compared unfavorably to the “drunkard’s” actions – only to the “drunkard’s” actions – only prove that one cannot flee the prove that one cannot flee the unavoidableunavoidable

It’s important to take control, not to It’s important to take control, not to simply hidesimply hide

At one point, Siddhartha wonders At one point, Siddhartha wonders aloud whether he’s still “trapped in aloud whether he’s still “trapped in the cycle”the cycle”

Take ControlTake Control

Well, Govinda, are we on the right road? Are we Well, Govinda, are we on the right road? Are we gaining knowledge? Are we approaching gaining knowledge? Are we approaching salvation? Or are we perhaps going in circles – we salvation? Or are we perhaps going in circles – we who thought to escape from the cycle?who thought to escape from the cycle?

We have learned much, Siddhartha. There still We have learned much, Siddhartha. There still remains much to learn. We are not going in remains much to learn. We are not going in circles, we are going upwards. The path is a circles, we are going upwards. The path is a spiral; we have already climbed many steps.spiral; we have already climbed many steps.

They’re definitely spiraling…but they’re heading They’re definitely spiraling…but they’re heading downwards, not upwardsdownwards, not upwards

Every day spent on the wrong path is a day Every day spent on the wrong path is a day further removed from enlightenment (although it further removed from enlightenment (although it must be pointed out that these experiences, must be pointed out that these experiences, futile as they may seem, do prove critical to futile as they may seem, do prove critical to Siddhartha’s eventual success)Siddhartha’s eventual success)

SpiralingSpiraling

Gotama’s introduction here is presented Gotama’s introduction here is presented in terms of plagues and cures – an in terms of plagues and cures – an interesting choice, given his real personal interesting choice, given his real personal history.history.

The world was sick, life was difficult and The world was sick, life was difficult and here there seemed new hope, here there here there seemed new hope, here there seemed to be a message, comforting, seemed to be a message, comforting, mild, full of fine promises.mild, full of fine promises.

And here’s a little hint for the future: And here’s a little hint for the future: He He had heard that this alleged Buddha had had heard that this alleged Buddha had formerly been an ascetic and had lived in formerly been an ascetic and had lived in the woods, had then turned to high living the woods, had then turned to high living and the pleasures of the world, and he and the pleasures of the world, and he held no brief for this Gotama.held no brief for this Gotama.

The World Was SickThe World Was Sick

Govinda, always easily distracted by the Govinda, always easily distracted by the prospect of something better, grows eager to prospect of something better, grows eager to meet Gotama after hearing from those who meet Gotama after hearing from those who have witnessed him workhave witnessed him work

When Siddhartha mocks him for straying When Siddhartha mocks him for straying from the Samanas’ path so readily, Govinda from the Samanas’ path so readily, Govinda says he’s merely curious about the teachersays he’s merely curious about the teacher

Everything goes in cycles: Siddhartha Everything goes in cycles: Siddhartha believes he has “already tasted the best believes he has “already tasted the best fruit” of Gotama’s teachings, but he’s also fruit” of Gotama’s teachings, but he’s also aware that he’s started stagnating again in aware that he’s started stagnating again in the Samanas’ worldthe Samanas’ world

Once again, a leader is displeased with Once again, a leader is displeased with Siddhartha’s intended departure, and Siddhartha’s intended departure, and Siddhartha simply defeats him (through the Siddhartha simply defeats him (through the strength of his will and strength of his will and desiredesire, ironically , ironically enough)enough)

Eagerness and WarinessEagerness and Wariness

The elders themselves may be unable to The elders themselves may be unable to give Siddhartha what he wants or needs – give Siddhartha what he wants or needs – but it’s important to remember that he but it’s important to remember that he doesn’t want to be given anythingdoesn’t want to be given anything

Whether he’s aware of it or not, their Whether he’s aware of it or not, their influences help guide him along the influences help guide him along the course he’s takencourse he’s taken

Knowledge can be passed from one source Knowledge can be passed from one source to another, but wisdom cannot – it must to another, but wisdom cannot – it must be generated from within in order to be be generated from within in order to be pure and genuinepure and genuine

If you simply want to hear someone tell If you simply want to hear someone tell you the truth – don’t want to look for it you the truth – don’t want to look for it yourself – you’re Govindayourself – you’re Govinda

Knowledge and ExperienceKnowledge and Experience

Note the return of The Gaze Note the return of The Gaze (Siddhartha’s staredown with the (Siddhartha’s staredown with the Eldest Samana)Eldest Samana)

Shell: 1 + 2Shell: 1 + 2 Characters: Govinda and the Eldest Characters: Govinda and the Eldest

SamanaSamana Mental State: Confusion and wandering; Mental State: Confusion and wandering;

reaffirms resistance to doctrinereaffirms resistance to doctrine

With the SamanasWith the Samanas

Themes: Themes: Generational DivisionGenerational Division

Elder Samana traps himself Elder Samana traps himself

Suffering Suffering Self-inflicted while trying to avoid itSelf-inflicted while trying to avoid it

SearchingSearching Groping for the correct courseGroping for the correct course

EnlightenmentEnlightenment Losing sight of what mattersLosing sight of what matters

CyclesCycles Siddhartha vs. an Elder/Govinda followsSiddhartha vs. an Elder/Govinda follows

With the SamanasWith the Samanas

With the SamanasWith the Samanas Themes: Themes:

PovertyPoverty Monetary/spiritualMonetary/spiritual

TransformationTransformation Degenerating at an accelerated rateDegenerating at an accelerated rate

ExcessExcess Too harsh, too fastToo harsh, too fast

RelationshipsRelationships Siddhartha + Elders/GovindaSiddhartha + Elders/Govinda

IndependenceIndependence Govinda, Gotama, and the SamanasGovinda, Gotama, and the Samanas

DefianceDefiance Siddhartha vs. the Elder SamanaSiddhartha vs. the Elder Samana

With the SamanasWith the Samanas What do the Samanas seek to What do the Samanas seek to

deprive themselves of, and what do deprive themselves of, and what do they seek to eliminate?they seek to eliminate?

Everything! Food, sleep, etc.Everything! Food, sleep, etc. Eliminate the selfEliminate the self Why are the Samanas “mistaken?”Why are the Samanas “mistaken?” Their approach contradicts lifeTheir approach contradicts life