I felt knowledge and the unity of the world circulate in me like my own blood.
Interpretation
Knowledge connects us to the world and fuels our understanding of it.
This quote by Hermann Hesse expresses a profound connection between the individual and the wider universe through knowledge. It suggests that just as blood circulates through the body, knowledge and the interconnectedness of all things flow through us, sustaining and enriching our lives.
In practice
In a lecture on interconnectedness, I would use this quote to highlight the importance of knowledge in understanding our relationship with the world.
I shall no longer be instructed by the Yoga Veda or the Aharva Veda, or the ascetics, or any other doctrine whatsoever. I shall learn from myself, be a pupil of myself; I shall get to know myself, the mystery of Siddhartha." He looked around as if he were seeing the world for the first time.
That is where my dearest and brightest dreams have ranged β to hear for the duration of a heartbeat the universe and the totality of life in its mysterious, innate harmony.
I, also, would like to look and smile, sit and walk like that, so free, so worthy, so restrained, so candid, so childlike and mysterious. A man only looks and walks like that when he has conquered his Self. I also will conquer my Self.
You're quite right there," he said. "I have practiced abstinence myself for years, and had my time of fasting, too, but now I find myself once more beneath the sign of Aquarius, a dark and humid constellation.
I call that man awake who, with conscious knowledge and understanding, can perceive the deep unreasoning powers in his soul, his whole innermost strength, desire and weakness, and knows how to reckon with himself.
Despair is the result of each earnest attempt to go through life with virtue, justice and understanding, and to fulfill their requirements. Children live on one side of despair, the awakened on the other side.
Self-denial is the test and definition of self-government.
There are no uninteresting things, only uninterested people.
My problem is how to find the best way of being useful.
Jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. [Therefore do not compare your lot with another's lest you see their advantages and lose the joy of what you already have.]
The important thing is to know how to take all things quietly.
One of them is knowing the difference between Morality and Wisdom. Morality is temporary, Wisdom is permanent⦠Ho ho. Take that one to bed with you tonight.
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