slow loss

“On the same day, Siddhartha informed the eldest Saman of his decision to leave him. He told the old man with the politeness and modesty fitting to young men and students. But the old man was angry that both young men wished to leave him and he raised his voice and scolded them strongly.
Govinda was taken aback, but Siddhartha put his lips to Govinda’s ear and whispered,”Now I will show the old man that I have learned something from him.”
He stood near the Samana, his mind intent; he looked into the old man’s eyes and held him with his look, hypnotized him, made him mute, conquered his will, commanded him silently to do as he wished. The old man becamse silent, his eyes glazed, his will crippled; his arms hung down, he was powerless under Siddhartha’s spell. Siddhartha’s thoughts conquered those of the Samana; he had to perform what they commanded. And so the old man bowed several times and stammered his wishes for a good journey. The young men thanked him for his good wishes, returned his bow, and departed.
On the way, Govinda said: “Siddhartha, you have learned more from the Samana than I was aware. It is difficult, very difficult to hypnotize an old Samana. In truth, if you had stayed there, you would have soon learned how to walk on water.”
“I have no desire to walk on water,” said Siddhartha. “Let the old Samanas satisfy themselves with such arts.”

— excerpt from Siddhartha by Herman Hesse

December 17, 2009, 2:08am