The Dharma Bums/Siddhartha/Altered States/Teddy
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1read_lola_read
Hi there,
Recently I read these four books in this particular order. It was totally random that I happen to pick these books to read one after the other but they all had very similar ideas relating to Buddhism or consciousness.
The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac is basically a story about some a group of friends who are very into the idea of Dharma and do some deep discussions into it. The main character also decides to focus on a Dharmic (?) way of life. I don't know if anyone has ever read any Kerouac but it just touches on the beat generations ideas at the time and is a very relaxed book.
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, however, follows a more classic formula of writing and is about the protagonist Siddhartha's quest to achieve enlightenment. It was a great follow up to The Dharma Bums at is was more serious and it seemed to be a retelling of the history of Buddha as opposed to Kerouac's own observations of the present personal discovery.
Altered States by Paddy Chayefsky is quite different but still has great commentary on consciousness and the idea of playing around with different states of consciousness. It touches on the ideas of sensory deprivation and how certain spiritual groups who have reached enlightenment have the same physical calm as those in a sensory deprivation tank.
Teddy is a short story taken from Nine Stories by J. D. Salinger. It is a beautiful story of a young boy who believes he has a spiritual connection with God and it focusses on his ideas about how to reach enlightenment and also has a surprising twist at the end.
These four books have really made me interested in doing further readings in regards to how consciousness and Buddhism are approached in works of fiction. If anyone knows of any other books that are along these lines please let me know.
Recently I read these four books in this particular order. It was totally random that I happen to pick these books to read one after the other but they all had very similar ideas relating to Buddhism or consciousness.
The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac is basically a story about some a group of friends who are very into the idea of Dharma and do some deep discussions into it. The main character also decides to focus on a Dharmic (?) way of life. I don't know if anyone has ever read any Kerouac but it just touches on the beat generations ideas at the time and is a very relaxed book.
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, however, follows a more classic formula of writing and is about the protagonist Siddhartha's quest to achieve enlightenment. It was a great follow up to The Dharma Bums at is was more serious and it seemed to be a retelling of the history of Buddha as opposed to Kerouac's own observations of the present personal discovery.
Altered States by Paddy Chayefsky is quite different but still has great commentary on consciousness and the idea of playing around with different states of consciousness. It touches on the ideas of sensory deprivation and how certain spiritual groups who have reached enlightenment have the same physical calm as those in a sensory deprivation tank.
Teddy is a short story taken from Nine Stories by J. D. Salinger. It is a beautiful story of a young boy who believes he has a spiritual connection with God and it focusses on his ideas about how to reach enlightenment and also has a surprising twist at the end.
These four books have really made me interested in doing further readings in regards to how consciousness and Buddhism are approached in works of fiction. If anyone knows of any other books that are along these lines please let me know.
2margad
This is such an interesting group of books. The two I have read are Siddhartha and Nine Stories, but it's been quite some time. I read Siddhartha when I was in high school, and it made such an impression on me that I wrote an essay on it for my application to college.
Another Salinger work that seems to fit with these, although it doesn't directly reference Buddhism, is Franny and Zooey. Franny's chanting of the Jesus prayer is reminiscent of some Buddhist practices, but there's a desperate quality to it that seems peculiarly American.
Another Salinger work that seems to fit with these, although it doesn't directly reference Buddhism, is Franny and Zooey. Franny's chanting of the Jesus prayer is reminiscent of some Buddhist practices, but there's a desperate quality to it that seems peculiarly American.
3CarlosMcRey
lola, I'm not sure how well Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance fits into what you're looking for. It certainly deals with consciousness and Buddhism, but from what I remember the Buddhism isn't particularly emphasized. A good read, though.
4margad
Good recommendation, Carlos. I came to that book later than a lot of people, because I never had any interest in motorcycle maintenance. But I found it really worthwhile.
5Arctic-Stranger
Kerouac wrote a lot on Buddhism (in spite of the fact that he never really left his Catholicism). These writings have been compiled in Some of the Dharma. Dharma Bums recounts his adventures with Gary Snyder.
6berthirsch
Another Kerouac book often overlooked,yet spiritual and wandering (as in following the path) is Desolation Angels, what I have always considered to be one of his best reads.
Siddhartha is an all time favorite- also read when in college I read it again just a few years ago and found it to be quite satisfying in its simplicity and beauty.
Siddhartha is an all time favorite- also read when in college I read it again just a few years ago and found it to be quite satisfying in its simplicity and beauty.
