In the novel, Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, it shows us a young strong-willed, peace seeking boy turn into a spiritual, wise man. In a way Hesse shows us the cycle of life, our sprit or soul that passes from this world to the next, trying to reach spiritual enlightenment. Siddhartha, the main character, is a middle-aged man when he sees the cycle with his son as it was with his father with him.
             When Siddhartha was about eighteen years of age he wanted to join the Samana's in their quest. Siddhartha's father, the Brahmin did not want this. As Siddhartha asked for his father's permission to leave and go with the Samana's he said, "It is not seemly for Brahmins to utter forceful and words angry words, but there is displeasure in my heart. I should not like to hear the request a second time." So Siddhartha decided to stand there with his arms folded, standing all night to show his father of what he wanted to do. His father saw what he was trying to accomplish and noticed that even though he kept his body there, his mind had already left. So that morning the Brahmin let his son go and told him that no matter what he finds he will always be welcome home. When Siddhartha left he had no thought of how his father felt about him leaving, all he knew is that he didn't want Siddhartha to go because he didn't agree with what he wanted, not because he loved him.
             As Siddhartha joined the Samana's he underwent serious meditation and prayer with his good friend Govinda. One day Govinda met a follower of the Buddha and he was awe struck by this man. So Govinda decided to follow this man and learn the ways of the Buddha. On that day Siddhartha decided to talk to the Illustrious One, Gotama. Siddhartha said "You have learned nothing through teachings, and so I think, O Illustrious One, that nobody finds salvation through teachings. To nobody, O Illustrious One, can you communicate in words and teachings what happened to you ...