Read it twice. Yes's "Close to the Edge" (song, not album) is based on the novel Siddhartha.

The beauty of the novel is its truth in reality. While we are scolded by Western religion into doing this or that, Siddhartha's life encompasses all facets of being. He goes from being a poor starving ascetic to a rich well fed citizen. Within neither is true understanding found. Even after he discovers truth at the river, it is his experiences that led him there.

You can't become a wise man by seeing on side of a cube. Once you see all six sides, then you can speak of a three dimensional cube. Until then it is merely a square. Yet through all his experiences, Siddhartha knew of one important thing. To let go and choose life. Siddhartha, once he learned it, would just pick up and leave. Life today is very difficult, though probably no easier than any other time in history as was the "great sacrifice" Abram made when God asked him to leave his father and home, to just let go. We have family, friends, and desires. However, what really keeps us near these things is fear of the unknown and comfort. We like the comfort of what is familiar. We stay with family because you know you'll always be known. We fear losing this comfort, and that is the greatest impediment to life. Siddhartha did not fear what he did not see and know. And this is what led to his path of enlightenment.

I try to live that path every day, we all should.

• Let us discuss it , then ... - quiet - January 6, 2003 - 02:59 UTC