SeanESB

= ** Sean's Scrapbook ** =

This is the place where I will write about the journey I follow to self-realization. My goal is to gain wisdom and takes steps towards enlightening myself. I will be following the journey of Siddhartha, the title character of Herman Hesse's // Siddhartha //, as a model for my own journey. The steps I have taken follow.

** With The Samanas **
To get a feeling for how the Samanas, Indian ascetics that are found in the novel // Siddhartha //, try to reach enlightenment, we gave up something we enjoy for a week. I chose to give up texting, because it's technically not something I ** need **. Technically.

Start of the Week
At the start of the week I was not bothered very much by not being able to text. The exchange between Siddhartha and his father before he joined the Samanas, "You will grow weary, Siddhartha" "I shall grow weary" "You will fall asleep"(Page 7), mirrors my inner thoughts as I started this week. During the first few days of the week I was generally unaffected, and I did not even miss texting very much until the middle of the week.

Middle of the Week
In the middle of the week, I missed texting much more, and began to use Facebook Chat to supplement my loss. Even though this is similar to texting, it is much less convenient because wifi is necessary, and Facebook is blocked by the school firewall, which is especially inconvenient before and after football practices and games since I have no way of communicating with friends until I get home. During these times, It would anger me to see anybody else texting or using their phones like Siddhartha and seeing well dressed people, "His mouth twitched in contempt when he passed through a town with well dressed people" (Page 7).

End of the Week
By the end of the week, I had less trouble coping with my loss, and I no longer relied on substitutes such as Facebook chat as much. I had dulled myself to the urges of textiing as Siddhartha had, "He mortified his senses"(pg.8). I felt much better at the end than I did in the middle as I adjusted, but like Siddhartha, even as I went deeper into withdrawal, I still felt urges to text as Siddhartha had wanted to eat when he fasted.



** Analysis **
I drew the scene of Siddhartha's awakening as described in the book, with the colors "blue," "yellow," and "green" (22). The scene shows the great beauty of nature around Siddhartha in an abstract way, and how he is just a small figure in the vast world. I also imagined the "river" and "mountains" as described by Siddhartha. I think that Hesse would have chosen this spot because of the beauty of the nature, and since blue and green can represent tranquility and the blend of those colors and their meanings describes enlightenment.

= =

** Hair: ** My hair is "black" (28).
My face is "very fair"(28) and her mouth resembles a "newly opened fig"(28). I am very attractive and I am more beautiful and clever than most women.
 * About Me (Looks): **

Hobbies/Profession (Actions):
I enjoy courting men and teaching them "the joys of love"(28) but I only court men who dress properly and who have "plenty of money in his purse"(30)

** Looking For (speech, effect on others): **
I am always looking for a proper man who I can teach the joys of love to, and if he is rich and in possession of "handsome clothes"(30) then I will court him and teach him as I did with Siddhartha.

** My Day: **

 * 1. Wake up **
 * 2. Eat breakfast **
 * 3. Ride the bus to school **
 * 4. Suffer through school **
 * 5. Go to football or wrestling practice (depending on the season) **
 * 6. Go home **
 * 7. Do homework **
 * 8. Go to sleep **

**Analysis:**
My first comic strip shows basic moments that happen on a typical day. My routine does fluctuate slightly but the scenes I chose for the comic generally happen every day. My life routines and Siddhartha's are similar since they are monotonous and often boring, but they are different due to the time period we are in, our geography, and age. I think although my routines can often be boring, I am not cut out for the ever-changing life of a samana, and overall, my routines are good for me. My second two pictures are just a story I made for humor because I was bored.

media type="custom" key="24661872" Deep inside these sleeping shallows Far away where no one goes, now Take my place in golden space Of TV star that no one knows, now Deep, deep mystery is talking to me She's a giver of constant animation All around and ready to make a new formation You're the reason I'm in this world
 * Lyrics:**
 * "Rivers Of Avalon"**

I don't believe in everything I see Rivers Of Avalon Your supernatural energy Part of my scenery What I belong to is your ecstasy Rivers Of Avalon Your faith unwavering is key

The clone of my own loneliness has got to fade What am I known to? Little garland and in your starling Loving waves that I've succumbed to Deep, deep mystery is talking to me She's a giver of constant adulation All around and ready to make a new formation You're the reason I'm in this world

I don't believe in everything I see Rivers Of Avalon Your supernatural energy Part of my scenery What I belong to is your ecstasy Rivers Of Avalon Your faith unwavering is key What do you see in me?

Deep, deep mystery is talking to me She's a giver of constant animation All around and ready to make a new formation You're the reason I'm in this world

I don't believe in everything I see Rivers Of Avalon Your supernatural energy Part of my scenery What I belong to is your ecstasy Rivers Of Avalon Your faith unwavering is key

I don't believe in everything I see Rivers Of Avalon Your supernatural energy All that it means

Siddhartha the boy was separated from Siddhartha the man and from Siddhartha the old man merely be shadows, not by anything real"(58). The Red Hot Chili Peppers are my favorite band, and I was tempted to use 3 of their songs in this segment of the project, but I decided that this was the best fit. When the lyrics speak of "Loving waves that I've succumbed to" it shows the same devotion to a river that Siddhartha has. The "Supernatural energy" of the river and the "faith unwavering" mentioned in the song is very similar to how Siddhartha's view of his river. The river was a source of inspiration for both Siddhartha and the character in song.
 * Quote from the text:**
 * Analysis:**

media type="custom" key="24661916"
See the splashing of the kingfisher flashing to the water. And a river of green is sliding unseen beneath the trees, Laughing as it passes through the endless summer making for the sea. In the lazy water meadow
 * Lyrics:**

"The river was laughing. Yes, it was so, everything returned that had not been suffered through and untangled to the very end."(71). Pink Floyd is another of my favorite bands, and the song which is deeply influenced by nature, is a perfect fit for Siddhartha. The river in this song is described as "laughing" just like the river that Siddhartha heard laughing. It gives the river human characteristics, and shows one of the river's many voices. Both the singer of the song and Siddhartha have a deep respect for rivers and view them at a much deeper level than the average person.
 * Quote from the text:**
 * Analysis:**

media type="custom" key="24661980"
The river is always flowing Relentless towards the coastal tides It travels down to the great ocean While most of us simply watch from the water side
 * Lyrics:**

The water becomes Siddhartha's teacher Sometimes powerful and stern Sometimes gentle, forgiving It never changes in direction As it carries even mountains down to the sea

I'll take you over I don't want your money Just hang on tight Till we reach the other wall Things in Vegas They all cling to my ankle The horn blows wide, and the currents roar

God fill this gutter That breaks my shoulder Smash me to pieces And wash me to mud Dry me to dust And set me to smolder Please let me dissolve in the autumn flood

The rivers always flowing But I'm free now From It's grace I'll be swept down to the ocean And now you You will take my place

"Have you, too, learned that secret from the river:that there is no such thing as time"(57). I am a big fan of The Who, but I had never heard any solo songs by Pete Townshend (their guitarist), which is why I was so surprised to see this song in the wikipedia article listing songs inspired by Siddhartha. This song was written for a modern production of Siddhartha the Musical, and is obviously referring to Siddhartha, even calling him by name. The lyrics of the song represent the book well when, "The water becomes Siddhartha's teacher" and he sings that, "the rivers always flowing."
 * Quote from the text:**
 * Analysis:**