So I have this book, Siddhartha. A friend let me borrow it almost a year and a half ago. I've read most of it and it is very good to say the least. I didn't finish it because well, I do that sometimes. It is a book about a man living in India named, Siddhartha. He meets the Buddha, but somehow feels that the path to Enlightenment should be his own, and not something mimicked from someone else. He lives a rather full and interesting life, no doubt taking "the path less traveled" by most seeking Nibbana. The Buddha's teachings make a sharp impression on him however, ultimately helping him to find his own path to Enlightenment.
Over the past year and a half, my friend has found the time to periodically harass me about giving her book back. Now you may be thinking; "Shit, its her book, so give the thing back!". Can't fault you or anyone else for thinking this. Before i get to, "the rub", lets put a number on how many times my friend has contacted me about getting her book back. Six. I'm pretty sure its more, but not by much.
Okay now the rub...
Each time, save maybe once, we've coordinated getting her book back, she has totally fronted and either
1. Not showed up
or
2. Came up with a lame excuse as to why she hasn't received her book yet
She gave me the book in my house. Am I wrong to assume she should pick it back up if she wants it? Maybe yes, maybe no. Either way, when it came down to it, she balked on more than 5 occasions. No matter which way one looks at this, there is a glaring truth about what we read, as opposed to what we LEARN.
The book, if you could not already tell, is a Buddhist writing translated by Hilda Rosner. If there is anything to learn from Buddhist thought (Mahayana or Theravada), it is that we should not become so attached to things. I am not absolving the fact that I myself am pretty attached to more than a few things in life. But that cannot stop me from recognizing seeing it not only in myself, but others as well. My friend is very attached to her belongings. I can tell by how she is acting with this book. Not only that, but she's attached for the sake of being attached. Because she knows no better. This is seen because she never shows up to actually GET the book back, which shows a glaring lack of true importance. She's attached to something which, in its overall message, tells us not to be attached! Earth can indeed be an interesting and oxymoronic place!
She may want to ask herself; "Would the Buddha ask for his book back?"
