Siddhartha 
Chapter 1:

1.) Do you have a trusted friend or companion like Govinda? Describe them.  What makes them such a faithful companion?

2.) Siddhartha and his father: Have you ever had a battle of wills with someone? What was it about? Why did each of you "dig in" and hold your positions?  Did one or both of you eventually compromise?

3.) Om involves many trinitarian relationships.  What trinities do you find most compelling (see the list below and come up with your own, religious or otherwise)? Why might three be a scared number?

4. )Have you ever gone on a journey - literal or otherwise -  after feeling dissatisfied with some aspect of your life? Describe what you were feeling and what you did. 

Grounding ourselves in chapter 1:

Listening...


The information on Om and the Hindu Glossary are from the following:

Article Info

Title	Om: Mantra and Symbol
URL	www.religionfacts.com/om
Short URL	rlft.co/783
Published	March 17, 2015
Updated	October 29, 2016
MLA Citation	“Om: Mantra and Symbol.” ReligionFacts.com. 29 Oct. 2016. Web. Accessed 29 Nov. 2016. <www.religionfacts.com/om>

presented below What does Om mean?

In Hinduism, Om (also spelled Aum) is a Hindu sacred sound that is considered the greatest of all mantras. The syllable Om is composed of the three sounds a-u-m (in Sanskrit, the vowels a and u combine to become o) and the symbol's threefold nature is central to its meaning. It represent several important triads:

• The three worlds - earth, atmosphere, and heaven
• The three major Hindu gods - Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva
• The three sacred Vedic scriptures - Rg, Yajur, and Sama

Thus Om mystically embodies the essence of the entire universe. This meaning is further deepened by the Indian philosophical belief that God first created sound and the universe arose from it. As the most sacred sound, Om is the root of the universe and everything that exists and it continues to hold everything together.

Om in Hindu culture

The syllable is discussed in a number of the Upanishads, which are the texts of philosophical speculation, and it forms the entire subject matter of one, the Mandukya.

AUM is a bow, the arrow is the self, And Brahman (Absolute Reality) is said to be the mark. (Mandukya Upanishad) The essence of all beings is the earth. The essence of the earth is water. The essence of water is the plant. The essence of the plant is man. The essence of man is speech. The essence of speech is the Rigveda. The essence of Rigveda is the Samveda. The essence of Samveda is OM. (Chandogya Upanishad) All those activities which people start with uttering the syllable OM do not fail to bear fruit. (Shankaracharya's Commentary on the Taittriya Upanishad 1.8.1) In the Puranas the syllable Om became associated in various ways with the major Hindu devotional sects. Saivites mark the lingam (a symbol of Shiva) with the symbol for Om, while Vaishnavites identify the three sounds as referring to the trinity of Vishnu, his wife Sri, and the worshiper.

Om is spoken at the beginning and the end of Hindu mantras, prayers, and meditations and is frequently used in Buddhist and Jain rituals as well. Om is used in the practice of Yoga and is related to techniques of auditory meditation.

From the 6th century, the written symbol of Om was used to mark the beginning of a text in a manuscript or an inscription. Om Parvat, a sacred peak at 6191m in the Indian Himalayas, is revered for its snow deposition pattern that resembles Om.

More Detailed Symbolism

With its threefold nature, special shape and unique sound, Om lends itself to a variety of detailed symbolic interpretations. The symbol of AUM consists of three curves (curves 1, 2, and 3), one semicircle (curve 4), and a dot.

The large lower curve 1 symbolizes the waking state (jagrat), in this state the consciousness is turned outwards through the gates of the senses. The larger size signifies that this is the most common ('majority') state of the human consciousness.

The upper curve 2 denotes the state of deep sleep (sushupti) or the unconscious state. This is a state where the sleeper desires nothing nor beholds any dream.

The middle curve 3 (which lies between deep sleep and the waking state) signifies the dream state (swapna). In this state the consciousness of the individual is turned inwards, and the dreaming self beholds an enthralling view of the world behind the lids of the eyes.

These are the three states of an individual's consciousness, and since Indian mystic thought believes the entire manifested reality to spring from this consciousness, these three curves therefore represent the entire physical phenomenon.

The dot signifies the fourth state of consciousness, known in Sanskrit as turiya. In this state the consciousness looks neither outwards nor inwards, nor the two together. It signifies the coming to rest of all differentiated, relative existence This utterly quiet, peaceful and blissful state is the ultimate aim of all spiritual activity. This Absolute (non-relative) state illuminates the other three states.

Finally, the semi circle symbolizes maya and separates the dot from the other three curves. Thus it is the illusion of maya that prevents us from the realization of this highest state of bliss.

The semi circle is open at the top, and when ideally drawn does not touch the dot. This means that this highest state is not affected by maya. Maya only affects the manifested phenomenon. This effect is that of preventing the seeker from reaching his ultimate goal, the realization of the One, all-pervading, unmanifest, Absolute principle. In this manner, the form of OM represents both the unmanifest and the manifest, the noumenon and the phenomenon.

As a sacred sound also, the pronunciation of the three-syllabled AUM is open to a rich logical analysis. The first alphabet A is regarded as the primal sound, independent of cultural contexts. It is produced at the back of the open mouth, and is therefore said to include, and to be included in, every other sound produced by the human vocal organs. Indeed A is the first letter of the Sanskrit alphabet.

The open mouth of A moves toward the closure of M. Between is U, formed of the openness of A but shaped by the closing lips. Here it must be recalled that as interpreted in relation to the three curves, the three syllables making up AUM are susceptible to the same metaphorical decipherment. The dream state (symbolized by U), lies between the waking state (A) and the state of deep sleep (M). Indeed a dream is but the compound of the consciousness of waking life shaped by the unconsciousness of sleep.

AUM thus also encompasses within itself the complete alphabet, since its utterance proceeds from the back of the mouth (A), travelling in between (U), and finally reaching the lips (M). Now all alphabets can be classified under various heads depending upon the area of the mouth from which they are uttered. The two ends between which the complete alphabet oscillates are the back of the mouth to the lips; both embraced in the simple act of uttering of AUM.

The last part of the sound AUM (the M) known as ma or makar, when pronounced makes the lips close. This is like locking the door to the outside world and instead reaching deep inside our own selves, in search for the Ultimate truth.

But over and above the threefold nature of OM as a sacred sound is the invisible fourth dimension which cannot be distinguished by our sense organs restricted as they are to material observations. This fourth state is the unutterable, soundless silence that follows the uttering of OM. A quieting down of all the differentiated manifestations, i.e. a peaceful-blissful and non-dual state. Indeed this is the state symbolized by the dot in the traditional iconography of AUM.

The threefold symbolism of OM is comprehensible to the most 'ordinary' of us humans, realizable both on the intuitive and objective level. This is responsible for its widespread popularity and acceptance. That this symbolism extends over the entire spectrum of the manifested universe makes it a veritable fount of spirituality. Some of these symbolic equivalents are:

• Colors : Red, White, and Black. - Seasons : Spring, Summer, and Winter. - Periods : Morning, Midday, and Evening. - States : Waking-consciousness (jagriti), Dream (svapna), and deep-sleep (sushupti). - Spheres : Earthly, Heavenly, and Intermediary. - Poetic Meters : Gayatri (24 syllables), Trishtubh (44 syllables), and Jagati (48 syllables). - Veda : Rigveda (knowledge of the meters), Yajurveda (knowledge of contents), Samaveda (knowledge of extension). - Elemental Deity : Fire (Agni), Sun (Aditya), Wind (Vayu). - Manifestation of Speech : Voice (vak), Mind (manas), Breath (prana). - Priestly Function : Making offering, Performing ritual, and Singing. - Tendencies : Revolving, Cohesive, and Disintegrating. - Quality : Energy (rajas), Purity (sattva), and Ignorance (tamas). - Ritual fire : Of the home, of the Ancestors, and of Invocation. - Goddess : Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika. - Gods : Of the elements (Vasus), of the sky (Adityas), of the sphere-of-space (Rudras). - Deity : Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva. - Action : Creation, Preservation, and Destruction. - Power : of Action (kriya), of Knowledge (jnana), and of Will (iccha). - Man : Body, Soul, and Spirit. - Time : Past, Present, and Future. - Stages of Existence : Birth, Life, and Death. - Phases of the Moon : Waxing, Full, and Waning. - Godhead : Father, Mother, and Son. - Alchemy : Sulphur, Quicksilver, and Salt. - Buddhism : the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha (three jewels of Buddhism). - Qabalism : Male, Female, and the Uniting intelligence. - Japanese Thought : Mirror, Sword, and Jewel. - Divine Attributes : Truth, Courage, and Compassion.

According to Indian spiritual sciences, God first created sound, and from these sound frequencies came the phenomenal world. Our total existence is constituted of these primal sounds, which give rise to mantras when organized by a desire to communicate, manifest, invoke or materialize. Matter itself is said to have proceeded from sound and OM is said to be the most sacred of all sounds. It is the syllable which preceded the universe and from which the gods were created. It is the "root" syllable (mula mantra), the cosmic vibration that holds together the atoms of the world and heavens. Indeed the Upanishads say that AUM is god in the form of sound. Thus OM is the first part of the most important mantras in both Buddhism and Hinduism, e.g. Om Namoh Shivai and Om Mani Padme Hum.

Another ancient text equates AUM with an arrow, laid upon the bow of the human body (the breath), which after penetrating the darkness of ignorance finds its mark, namely the lighted domain of True Knowledge. Just as a spider climbs up its thread and gains freedom, so the yogis climb towards liberation by the syllable OM.

The omnific and omniparous quality of OM makes it omnipresential, and in-omissible from any spiritual practice. As an omnipotent symbol, the yogi who penetrates its mystery is indeed truly omnicompetent and omnipercipient, and as an omniscient source, it is a virtual omnibus of sacred and mystical inspirations.

Sources

- "Om." Encyclopædia Britannica (2007). Encyclopædia Britannica Online.
• Nitin Kumar, "Om." Exotic India Arts

Listening to the rhythm of the text...
Siddhartha Audiobook

Reviewing...

Day 1 Siddhartha

Homework:

Read Hinduism handout

Read Chapter 1 of Siddhartha

Complete the personal reading prompt and questions on this handout

Activity 1: What moves you?

“Everything had changed suddenly--the tone, the moral climate; you didn't know what to think, whom to listen to. As if all your life you had been led by the hand like a small child and suddenly you were on your own, you had to learn to walk by yourself. There was no one around, neither family nor people whose judgment you respected. At such a time you felt the need of committing yourself to something absolute--life or truth or beauty--of being ruled by it in place of the man-made rules that had been discarded. You needed to surrender to some such ultimate purpose more fully, more unreservedly than you had ever done in the old familiar, peaceful days, in the old life that was now abolished and gone for good.”

― Boris Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago

Personal Journal (You do not have to share this)

Write about a time when "everything had changed suddenly" for you.

or

Write about a time you felt dissastisfied with life? What exactly were/are you feeling? What was/is missing?

Or

Write about following your bliss...but first you have to find your bliss.  What excites you? What gives your life meaning, purpose, vigor? If you're not sure, what do you think it could be? What would you most like to do/be with your life? What is your "bliss"? 

1.       Atman is described as something that is “within this inner essence of his that was indestructible and one with the universe”.  Is there anything that is roughly equivalent to “Atman” in other world religions?

2.      Based on the information provided in chapter 1, how old do you think Siddhartha is?

3.      What is Govinda’s opinion of “ordinary Brahmins”?

4.      How is the restlessness that Siddhartha feels similar to that experienced by many young people?

5.      “Siddhartha had started to cultivate the seeds of discontent within himself.” Why is Siddhartha dissatisfied? Look at the reasons for Siddhartha’s discontentment.

6.      What do you think is meant by the following quote: “One must find the source within one’s own Self, one must possess it. Everything else was seeking—a detour, error.”

7.      Why is asceticism attractive to Siddhartha?

8.      Why would Siddhartha’s father perhaps be opposed to the ascetic life of the Samana’s?

1. Govinda knew that he would not become an ordinary Brahmin, a lazy sacrificial official, an avaricious dealer in magic sayings, a conceited worthless orator, a wicked sly priest, or just a good stupid sheep amongst a large herd. _________________________________________________________________

2. Did he not go continually to the holy springs with an insatiable thirst, to the sacrifices, to books, to the Brahmins' discourses? (two words)

_________________________________________________________________

3. Wandering ascetics, they were three thin worn-out men, neither old nor young, with dusty and bleeding shoulders, practically naked, scorched by the sun, solitary, strange and hostile--lean jackals in the world of men.

_________________________________________________________________

4. If you find bliss in the forest, come back and teach it to me. If you find disillusionment, come back, and we shall again offer sacrifices to the gods together.

 _________________________________________________________________

5. He waited with new thirst like a hunter at a chasm where the life cycle ends, where there is an end to causes, where painless eternity begins.

_________________________________________________________________

6. ... the hour was inevitable when he would again find himself, in sunshine or in moonlight, in shadow or in rain, and was again Self and Siddhartha, again felt the torment of the onerous life cycle.

_________________________________________________________________

7. What is the holding of breath? It is a flight from the Self, it is a temporary escape from the torment of Self. It is a temporary palliative against the pain and folly of life.

_________________________________________________________________

8. "How could it be that amongst so many learned men, amongst so many Brahmins, amongst so many austere and worthy Samanas, amongst so many seekers, so many devoted to inner life, so many holy men, none will find the right way?" _________________________________________________________________

9. Think, what meaning would our holy prayers have, the venerableness of the Brahmins, the holiness of the Samanas, if, as you say, there is no learning?

_________________________________________________________________

Glossary of Hinduism

Definitions of terms related to Hinduism.

This glossary of Hinduism provides definitions of terms related to Hinduism, with links to full articles where available.

atman

A person's true Self or underlying vital force. According to Vedanta philosophy, "atman is Brahman."

Brahman

("growth, expansion"). The impersonal Absolute, the unproduced Producer of all that is. In the Vedas, Brahman is the force behind the magical formulas. In the Upanishads it is the supreme, eternal principle behind the origin of the universe and of the gods. In Vedanta philosophy, it is the Self (atman) of all beings and knowledge of Brahman results in liberation (moksha).

Darshanas

Hindu philosophy manuals based on the Vedas.

Devi

Hindu Mother Goddess whose major forms are Durga, Parvati, and Kali. In the Vedas, the Goddess was associated with natural phenomena such as dawn, night, and the Ganges River. In the post-Vedic period, Mahadevi (Great Goddess) became the source of energy in the cosmos and the counterpart of Shiva. For Shaktas, she is not a counterpart but the supreme deity herself.

dharma

(Sanskrit; Pali dhamma). Truth, teaching, or religion.

Ganesha

("Lord of the hosts"). Also Ganesha, Vinayaka, Ekadanta, Lambodara, Siddhadata, Vighnaraja. God of wisdom and good fortune, represented with a pot belly and the head of an elephant. Ganesh has been one of the most popular Hindu gods since medieval times and is claimed by all sects as their own. As the remover of obstacles, he is invoked before religious ceremonies and worldly undertakings.

guru

(Sanskrit) Spiritual teacher.

Hatha Yoga

The yoga (path) focusing on bodily postures to improve meditation. Popular in the West as a means to health, fitness, and relaxation.

jati

Caste. The Indian caste system determines social status based on birth and lineage, and is generally not alterable. Its importance has declined somewhat in urban areas, but is still important in marriage.

karma

("action" or "deed"). Impact of previous deeds (usually in former lives) on one's current circumstances.

karma-marga

Path of works. One of three paths to moksa.

kundalini

("snake"). The spiritual force in every human being that lies at the base of the spine, coiled like a snake. It is also called "serpent power." Once awakened through yoga and meditation, it rises through the chakras, producing spiritual knowledge and mystical powers.

lotus

The flower that is rooted in the mud but blooms pristinely above the water represents non-attachment to the world in Hinduism and Buddhism.

Mahadeva

One of the names of Shiva.

Mahesvari

Consort of Mahesvara; a name for Shakti; one of the goddesses created by Shiva who constitute the Divine Mothers (Matrkas).

mlecchas

In ancient India, foreigners, especially those considered barbarians or less civilized.

moksa

("release"). Liberation from the cycle of rebirth, which is believed by most philosophical schools to be the ultimate goal of life.

Namaste

Gesture of greeting with spiritual and symbolic significance.

niyama

Moral observance; something one should do. Comparable to the western idea of virtue.

Ramayana

Very popular Hindu epic, composed around 700 CE by Valmiki. It is as long as the Christian Bible and tells the story of the virtuous hero Rama who rescues his beloved Sita from the evil king.

sadhu

A holy man who has renounced the material world to devote himself to spiritual practice. He wanders from place to place and owns nothing. A female sadhu is a sadhvi.

samyama

In yoga, movement from meditative concentration into total mental absorption.

sanatana dharma

("everlasting truth"). Hindu word for Hinduism.

Shakti

The Great Goddess and consort of Shiva. Her many forms include Durga, Kali and Amba.

Shiva

("auspicious"). Major deity and the third in the Hindu trinity (with Brahma and Vishnu). Shiva has roots in the pre-Vedic period, there associated with the god Rudra. To Saivities, Shiva is creator, preserver and destroyer, and the supreme deity.

sutra

(Sanskrit) Discourse or section of teachings.

swastika

(Sanskrit svastika, "all is well") Ancient symbol of good fortune and well-being, with a variety of uses and meanings in Hinduism, Buddhism and many other faiths.

tapas

("heat"). Self-discipline. One of the five niyamas.

varnas

("color"). Four categories of Hindu society dating from the time of the Vedas: Brahmans, Ksatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras. The varnas are ordered according to occupation, whereas castes (jati) are based on social status into which one is born, but the two systems are historically related.

Vedas

("knowledge"). Collection of Hindu scriptures regarded as sacred and authoritative by all Hindus.

Vishnu

("pervader"). Major deity and member of Hindu trinity with Brahma and Shiva. Seen as the preserver of the universe and embodiment of goodness and mercy. To Vaisnavites, Vishnu is the supreme deity (Isvara) who becomes incarnate in times of crisis and declining dharma. Vishnu is usually depicted standing, holding weapons, or reclining on a serpent.

yama

Something one should not do. Comparable to the western idea of sin.

yantra

a geometrical diagram representing the universe

yoga

(Sanskrit, "yoke").

Homework:

Respond to two of the four personal reflection questions above in your notebook.

Study the Hinduism handout, the Hindu terms from chapter 1, and the other vocabulary for chapter 1. Also study the material on Om presented on this blog.

20 point (10 fill in the blank questions) Hindu and secular vocab quiz tomorrow

10-20 point (5-10 questions) Om and Hinduism quiz tomorrow