Things Get Weird With the Samanas

Okay so I just finished reading the second chapter in Siddhartha and I couldn't help but get confused. There were new concepts that Siddhartha had to embrace while being with the Samanas that I just don't understand.

So Siddhartha's goal, apparently, is to discover his true being to be able to learn more. That is why he has to get rid of his Self. This includes becoming "empty of thirst, desire, dreams, pleasure and sorrow- to let the Self die."page 11. In my opinion, this is weird. There is one major flaw in Siddhartha's plan. If he is able to eliminate and kill the Self, how will he be able to express his own thoughts and opinions afterwards? How will he learn? It may be obvious to some people but I just don't understand.

I think that Siddhartha's perseverance is admirable. He was willing to get rid of his prior lifestyle, go through thirst and pain, and lose everything he owned to achieve his ultimate goal. Believe me that I would not be willing to sacrifice that much even if the prize was unbelievably tasty.

Just like Govinda, I was impressed at how well Siddhartha mastered his mind and will with the Samanas. The part in which he hipnotizes the old Samana was impressive, taking into account the fact that he had stayed there for only three years while the Samana leader was more than 60 years old. He bent the elder's mind with his eyes only, and made him bow and approve their departure.

Amazingly, that part reminded me of Star Wars, when Obi Wan controlled the weaker minds of the Storm Troopers to let them pass. "These aren't the droids you're looking for" hahaha.