The

Role of Nature in Siddhartha and Vincent Van Goghs Letters

Through the comparison of Hermann Hesses Siddhartha and Van Goghs letters, the

pivotal role of nature is expressed in finding the Good Life. Though both works are
different in content and style, they each similarly describe natures influence in leading
Siddhartha and Van Gogh to the Good Life.
Throughout Siddharthas quest for enlightenment, nature played various key roles.
As a samana, Siddhartha achieved rapid spiritual growth by experiencing the hardship of
nature firsthand (Hesse, 13-16). Then, as Siddhartha opened his eyes and began seeing
the world for the first time, the beauty of the forest and of the stars in the sky brought
joy to his heart (Hesse, 36-43). Later, as Siddhartha contemplated suicide, the river
reawakened his dormant spirit through Om (Hesse, 78-79). Reborn, Siddhartha begins
to listen to the voices of the river and learns its many lessons (Hesse, 89). He realizes that,
in unison, the voices of the river produce Om (Hesse, 117-119). Eventually, he comes to
understand the interconnections between everything and everyone. Nature, embodied by
the river, leads Siddhartha to enlightenment. Without it, Siddhartha wouldve failed. Just as
Siddhartha guided people across the river, the river guided Siddhartha to enlightenment. In
the end, natures hardship, beauty, voice, and power ultimately brought Siddhartha to the
Good Life.
Through his letters, Van Gogh provides insight to his thoughts and ideas, including
his view of nature. As a man best known for his landscape paintings, Van Gogh deeply
appreciated the power of nature in his life. Van Gogh wrote that Feeling, even a fine
feeling, for the beauties of nature isnt the same as religious feeling, although I believe that
the two are closely connected (Van Gogh, 1). To Van Gogh, natures effect is nearly as

powerful as religion/God. Just as nature plays a large role in Siddhartha, nature also plays a
large role to Van Gogh. It was the beauty of nature that inspired many of his great works.
Just as Siddhartha saw beauty in the stars, so did Van Gogh in The Starry Night and
Starry Night Over the Rhode. Just as Siddhartha saw beauty in nature, so did Van Gogh
through his landscapes. As an artist, Van Gogh uses his paintings to express his views,
thoughts, and himself. With his landscapes, Van Gogh showcases the role and power of
nature on his spirituality and life. Just as nature brought inner peace, joy, and satisfaction
to Siddhartha, nature brought the same to Van Gogh and represented his view of the Good
Life.
In conclusion, nature plays an integral role in both Siddhartha and the Van Gogh
letters. In Siddhartha, nature leads to enlightenment. In the Van Gogh letters, nature
inspires Van Goghs greatest works. In both, nature brings about the Good Life through
inspiration. But, in Herodotus and Roots of Ayurveda, its our actions that determine the
Good Life. In Ode to Joy and Love Supreme, its the power of music that plays a role in the
Good Life. While nature is absent in Herodotus and Roots of Ayurveda, the inspirations
found in music is similar to the inspirations found in nature.

Bibliography
Hesse, Hermann. Siddhartha. Translated by Joachim Neugroschel. New York: Penguin Book,
1999.

Van Gogh, Vincent. Letters. www.vangoghletters.org