Eternity is a mere moment, just long enough for a joke. -- Herman Hesse, Steppenwolf
Continuing on with authors who wrote about mysticism and Eastern philosophy, I move to Herman Hesse. Hesse, a German author who had mental problems early in life, later gained literary notoriety and wrote many books, poems, and short stories. Hesse also won a Nobel Prize for his work The Glass Bead Game I have read several of Hesse's books including, Siddhartha, Demian, and Steppenwolf; my favorite being Steppenwolf, but all three being wonderful books deep with mystery and spirituality.
Siddhartha, the first book I read, deals with the life of a young Brahmin who seeks enlightenment. He becomes discouraged and tries to drown himself in a river when he hears the river calling "Om" and finds enlightenment. The river is ever flowing, ever moving toward the sea but still in each moment, and becomes a metaphor for Siddhartha's quest for enlightenment.
Demian, the second book that I read, also deals with enlightenment in a way, though through the eyes of a young boy who befriends Demian, another youth who leads the main character towards the path of self-realization. The novel deals heavily with duality, mainly through the concept of Abraxas, a simultaneous God and demon who rules all.
And lastly there is Steppenwolf, or,"Wolf of the Steeps", the last Hesse novel that I read. The story deals this time with an older protagonist who catches a glimpse of an advertisement for the "magic theater" whose entrance is "for madmen only!". The book revolves around the text The Treatise of Steppenwolf which talks again about the duality of man, partly as "high" and human, and also "low" and animal like. The protagonist eventually gains entrance into the magic theater which is disconnected from reality.
I mainly enjoy Hesse's work in that it explores the self and what it is to be human in the context of society. There is a dual nature to Hesse's self, and it is explored in his works. I greatly enjoy his writing and am inspired by it. If only we could all have as lofty ideals as Hesse.