Siddhartha and The Alchemist

I had read the hard copy of "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho back in 2020, but despite its high ratings, I didn't enjoy it much. The philosophical nature of the book didn't resonate with me. However, recently, I started contemplating the similarities between Hermann Hesse's "Siddhartha" and Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist," especially in their themes of love, taking a journey in pursuit of the dream and the use of natural elements.

Since I couldn't clearly recall "The Alchemist," I decided to revisit it through the audiobook. This time, I found it more enjoyable, particularly with a good narrator. As it is a short book, I finished listening through it within a week or two.

In Summary:
"The Alchemist" follows the journey of Santiago, a shepherd who dreams of finding a hidden treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. Driven by this dream, he sets off with his flock of sheep. Along the way, he meets the King of Salem, who introduces him to the concept of Personal Legends (one's destiny) and gives him magical stones. Santiago sells his flock to fund his journey, taking the first step toward his dream.

During his travels, Santiago gets robbed and ends up working in a crystal shop, where he learns important lessons about pursuing dreams and making positive changes. Later, he joins a caravan crossing the Sahara Desert to reach Egypt and meets the Alchemist.  The alchemist becomes his mentor and teaches him deeper lessons about realizing one's Personal Legend and understanding the universal language of the world. At an oasis in the desert, Santiago falls in love with Fatima, who supports his quest, understanding that he must fulfill his destiny before they can be together.

Ultimately, Santiago returns to Spain and discovers that the treasure he sought was buried at the very place where he had his original dream—under a sycamore tree in the church ruins where he once slept. The novel emphasizes the importance of following one's dreams and enjoying the journey. Despite doubts and fears, staying committed and pursuing one's dreams is crucial.

Siddhartha - In Summary:

Siddhartha, the son of a Brahmin, feeling unfulfilled with his traditional path, seeks enlightenment. Siddhartha and his friend Govinda leave home in search of spiritual wisdom. Siddhartha and Govinda join Samanas, who believe in self-denial and the rejection of worldly pleasures. They practice severe austerity, but Siddhartha finds that this does not bring him the enlightenment he seeks. 

Siddhartha and Govinda meet Gautama Buddha, also known as the Illustrious One. He respects the Buddha's teachings and admires his peaceful demeanor but chooses not to follow him. Siddhartha believes that while the Buddha has attained enlightenment, his teachings cannot directly lead others to the same state; enlightenment must be personally experienced. However, Govinda followed Gautama Buddha.

Siddhartha meets Kamala, a courtesan who teaches him about love and the ways of the world. Under her influence, Siddhartha learns about wealth and pleasure, eventually becoming a successful merchant. Also, he fathers a son with Kamala. However, this life of indulgence leads to a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction. He leaves his materialistic life and turns back to the river that he crossed with Govinda. Vasudeva, a simple ferryman, teaches him the art of listening to the river. Through his experiences by the river and the wisdom of Vasudeva, Siddhartha begins to understand the interconnectedness of all life and the nature of time.

 In the end, Siddhartha achieves enlightenment, not through asceticism or indulgence, but by embracing the totality of life's experiences. He understands that wisdom comes from within and that the path to enlightenment is personal and cannot be taught by another.

Similarities between The Alchemist and Siddhartha:

1. Both the books focus on self-discovery and enlightenment.

2. Use of natural elements - Nature plays a pivotal role in both books. In The Alchemist the desert, the wind, and the sun all teach Santiago valuable lessons. In Siddhartha, the protagonist learns from the river and its eternal flow of life.

3. Love - Both the books make sure to highlight that one should experience love or a relationship.  In Alchemist, Santiago's love for Fatima teaches him about the balance between personal dreams and love. In Siddhartha, Siddhartha's relationships, including his love for Kamala, teach him about the pleasures and pains of life.

4. Mentors - In The Alchemist, Santiago encounters several mentors, including Melchizedek, the king of Salem, and the alchemist himself. These figures guide him toward his personal legend, offering wisdom and encouragement. In Siddhartha, Siddhartha learns from several teachers, including the Buddha and the ferryman Vasudeva. 

 I felt both books are highly relatable in terms of how they conveyed their messages. Both novels emphasize that the true meaning of life is found not in material success but in spiritual fulfillment and self-understanding. They encourage readers to seek their own path, embrace the journey, and learn from the world around them.