18 Thought Provoking Quotes from Hermann Hesse’s Demian

Demian by Hermann Hesse is not for the orthodox. It nudges you into questioning your beliefs, principles, and basically anything that is part of this world. Nothing, according to Demian, is beyond questioning.

What do you do when you cannot connect with societal rules? You think differently than the people around you, and you like different things, leading to a sort of identity crisis. After a while, such people often give in and join the herd, unable to withstand the pressure of non-conformity. They end up living a dual life, one intricately manufactured for the world and one genuine, which may not see the light of day.

There are clear-cut protocols to follow if validation and respect from society mean a lot to you. If you deviate from those rules, you are considered flawed. In reality, humans are not perfect. All of us have a trace of evil in us. Some show it openly, others try to rein it in. The book tells you to make peace with your imperfections, deemed “evil” by society, for all these traits, no matter how good or bad they are, are your own. When our “good” and “evil” happily coexist without outward interference, you get to live a life that is most true to yourself. Demian, in essence, is about embracing your authenticity and being in harmony with your divine and not-so-divine.

Demian is not for everyone. It is for the questioners, the people who are not satisfied with the status quo. They want more, they seek more. Sometimes, the deeper thoughts in the book take a while to trickle in. The main character, Sinclair, often sounds eccentric and unclear. But that’s the whole point. You, the reader, need to acknowledge his uniqueness and accept him for who he is – a rule breaker.

The book’s main purpose is to lead readers into a new world of creation: “Hesse’s vision is reaching out to another generation searching for meaning in an age of anxiety and war.”

Here are some of my favorite thought-provoking quotes from Demian:

The bird fights its way out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born must destroy a world. The bird flies to god. The god is called Abraxas.

Abraxas is soon clarified for Sinclair in a lecture by a teacher as “something like a deity whose symbolic task is to unite the divine and the un-divine.”

All I wanted to do was try to live the life that was inside me, trying to get out. Why was that so hard?

When writers write novels, they tend to act as though they were God, who can see and understand anything and everything about a person’s story, and they present that story as though God himself were telling it, without all the veils of disguise that are the fundamental nature of life. I cannot do that— any more than these writers can. But my story is more important to me than some writer’s story is to him, because it is my own, and it is the story of a human being— not an imagined, possible, ideal, or in some other way nonexistent person but a real, unique, living, breathing one.

We can understand each other, but each of us can truly grasp and interpret only himself.

When I imagined the devil, I could see him perfectly well on the street down the hill, in disguise or not, or at the fair, or in a pub — but never with us at home.

Such cracks and tears heal, they grow back together and are forgotten, but down in our most secret recesses, they continue to live and bleed.

For the first time I tasted death, and death tastes bitter because it is birth: anxiety and terror in the face of frightening renewal.

There is nothing in the world more hateful to a person than walking the path that leads to himself!

This whole God, in the Old Testament and the New Testament both, is a marvelous character, true, but he’s not what he’s supposed to be. He is good and noble, the Father, the high and beautiful, the sentimental— all true! But the world consists of other things too. And all those other things get chalked up to the devil; that whole part of the world, that whole half, is just suppressed and hushed up. The same way God is praised for being the Father of all life, while everything sexual, everything life in fact depends on, is simply hushed up or described wherever possible as the devil’s work, and sinful! I have nothing against honoring and worshipping this God Jehovah, not in the least. But I think we should honor everything, and worship everything— the whole world is sacred, not just this artificially partitioned official half! We need not only church service but a devil’s service. That’s what I think. Or else we need to create a God who includes the devil too, and whose eyes we don’t need to cover when the most natural things in the world take place in front of him.

‘Forbidden’ is not an eternal truth — it can change.

It is entirely possible to never do anything forbidden and still be an absolute scoundrel.

I think I like music because it has so little to do with morality. Everything else is moral or immoral, and I am looking for something that isn’t.

“You’ve told me you like music because it is outside of morality,” he said. “Well and good. But now stop being a moralist yourself! You can’t keep comparing yourself to other people— if nature has made you a bat, you can’t decide you want to be an ostrich. You sometimes feel like you don’t belong, you blame yourself for following a different path than most other people. You have to unlearn that. Stare into the fire, look at the clouds, and when ideas or intuitions come to you and the voices in your soul start to speak, trust them and don’t worry about whether your teacher or your daddy or any other lord above likes what they have to say! That’s what ruins a person. That’s how you end up on the law-abiding sidewalk, just another fossil.

When we hate someone, what we hate is something in him, or in our image of him, that is part of ourselves. Nothing that isn’t in us ever bothers us.

There is no reality other than what we have inside us. That is why most people live such unreal lives, because they see external images as reality and never give their own internal world a chance to express itself. You can be happy living like that, but once you know that there is another way, you can no longer choose to follow the path of the many. The path of the many is an easy one, Sinclair.

I just live in my dreams, that’s what you noticed. Other people live in dreams too, but they’re not their own dreams, that’s the difference.

We felt that we embodied nature’s will for the new, the individual, and the future, while the others’ lives showed only a will to persist in the old. They loved humanity as much as we did, but for them it was something already finished, to be preserved and protected, while for us it lay in a distant future we were all moving toward, whose image was still unknown, and whose laws had never been written.

He had loved and had found himself in the process. Most people love only in order to lose themselves.

7 Sweet Quotes from BTS’ Beyond the Story

Happy New Year everyone! I took a long vacation from everything, the longest I have had since forever. I did not go anywhere, as I was not looking for a holiday, but rather a break from routine. So that’s what I did. I broke all rules – only ate, drank, slept, read, couch-potatoed, and relaxed, in the comfort of my home. I am back rejuvenated and ready to tackle the challenges of 2024 (I hope!).

I kickstarted the year by reading the BTS book “Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS“. I would consider the book as a love letter to the BTS army. Every member consistently conveys heartfelt gratitude to their well-wishers, creating a genuine connection with fans. This sincerity is rare in the celebrity world, where affection can often feel one-sided. Unlike some stars who may ignore or treat fans with disdain, BTS provides solace by reciprocating love, albeit within the constraints of stardom. It makes fans feel truly valued, a sentiment not often experienced in the realm of fame.

As a baby army (who is not a baby at all), I am still learning about BTS. The book gave me an inkling of how their mind worked. It is heartening to see men openly talk about their mental health issues and the scars that their demanding professions can bring.

BTS faced several challenges, yet here they are, the superstars who can put a smile on your face, not just through their music but their playful antics as well. I love watching an episode of Run BTS before winding up for the day.

The book was insightful in many ways. I wish it had more anecdotes from their personal life. I wanted to know more about their daily life, what they did outside of work to unwind, their favorite food, thoughts on love, family, etc. However, I respect their decision to keep the book entirely work-related.

BTS’ Beyond the Story had several sweet and thought-provoking quotes. Here are my favorites:

The old saying is that even the mountains and rivers change in ten years, so we must change, too. And whenever there is new choreography, I know it will take longer for me to pick it up compared to everyone else, so I always think, ‘I’ve got to get this down as quickly as possible so there are no problems later.’
Jin

It was really hard to respect the fact that we were all different people. I used to be very extreme and trapped in a black-and-white mindset. My immature mind would think, ‘Why is he thinking that way? Shouldn’t a normal human being think this way?’ And eventually I went beyond thinking, ‘That guy is different from me,’ to accepting, ‘That person is just being themselves.’ It did take a bit of time.
Suga

We’re a team, and the seven of us need to become one to do a good job at whatever it is we’re doing. I’m not the only one who should do well, my belief is that all need to do a good job, and so I think I did my best in the parts I could do.
J-Hope

Maybe I made a mistake yesterday, but yesterday’s me is still me. Today, I am who I am with all of my faults and my mistakes. Tomorrow, I might be a tiny bit wiser, and that’ll be me too. These faults and mistakes are what I am, making up the brightest stars in the constellation of my life. I have come to love myself for who I am, for who I was, and for who I hope to become.
RM

There were a few things that happened, but in the end, I returned to BTS. I met up with my friends outside of the group, and spent time with them, getting things off my chest, but bringing the things that happened within the group into the outside world resolved nothing, and I couldn’t find the answers I wanted. And I think that’s how I ended up relying on the members even more.
Jimin

I was such a mischievous boy. Even when we’d been selected to debut, all I could think about was how to have fun (laughs). Even at the trainee dorm I kept thinking things like, ‘What If I ordered some fried chicken and pizza and started a party?’
V

When I’m asked now what makes me happy, it’s the fact of being able to have concerns like this. That’s my happiness. If I was actually unhappy now, I don’t believe I’d be able to think about what I’d call happiness. So, being able to think things like, ‘Is this what makes me happy,’ ‘No, this is what makes me happy,’ isn’t that happiness?
Jungkook

An Ode to Surviving 2023

As the year comes to a close, it’s time for introspection on goals achieved, comfort zones demolished, and new skills acquired. I don’t have much to report, except that I survived.

It was not an easy year. Most of my holidays were spent doing something I intensely dislike – hospital visits. They induce a great deal of stress in me, more mental than physical. For the uninitiated, my parent was diagnosed with a heart condition, which took several days of hospitalization, tests, and treatments. It is difficult for a child to see their parent falter as age catches up on them. This year was that kind of year for me, riddled with lessons.

What doesn’t break you makes you stronger

Time keeps on proving the legibility of this quote. I am a divorcee in India, so I am no stranger to struggles. However, 2023 went a tad extra by making my loved one suffer. Initially, I didn’t know how to deal with the situation, cried helpless tears, and dramatically kept asking, “Why me?” But then the universe kindly shows you a way.

At first, you feel a sort of resistance. You are not ready to accept this new phase in life. You’re breaking out of the comfort zone of all the struggles you have known till now. This is a new struggle, one that you need time to adapt. It becomes easier over time. You get stronger. Not because the concern is any less but because your system learns to handle it better.

I survived a difficult phase this year.

Not everyone will be by your side when you need them

I am grateful for everyone who graced me with their love and support. Their kindness knows no bounds. Some supported me by being present, some through their words, and some with quiet perseverance.

But sometimes, the people you expect the most support from fail to meet your expectations. This could be friends, family, or relatives. It comes as a bolt out of the blue because you realize you probably don’t mean as much to them. It’s a difficult pill to digest. However, I am taking it in my stride, marking it as a lesson that may come in handy in the future.

I survived the absence of (a few) loved ones.

Different ideologies shouldn’t spoil your friendship

I may not have a mainstream view on many issues, but that has never motivated me to lash out at someone with opposing views. This year, I learned to be more accommodating of contradictory views, both religious and political. Sometimes, it is difficult, especially when people use accusatory tones. Still, for the most part, I have been cordial, respectful, and unintimidating.

I survived the danger of fostering a different ideology.

Conclusion

If all you did this year was survive, I want to tell you from personal experience that it’s not something that should be casually dismissed with the notion that it is of less importance. It is a life-changing struggle, dealing with every fiber of your being not working as per protocol and finally making peace with it at some level. It takes courage and patience.

During this holiday season, feeling a sense of failure is natural when you see people around you list all their accomplishments. However, know that dealing with issues that life throws your way, no matter how big or small, is a significant accomplishment in itself. Survival is a beautiful thing. We should celebrate it more.

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Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

19 Inspirational Quotes from James Clear’s Atomic Habits

I always gravitate towards non-fiction books hoping to learn something new. However, self-help books often contain repetitive information already covered by other authors. If you read a new non-fiction book on a certain topic, subsequent books on the same topic often contain similar tips and suggestions beneath different covers. There is always a déjà vu feeling lingering in the background, “This tip seems familiar,” or “Have I read this quote somewhere?”

Atomic Habits does not fall into the I-Feel-I-Have-Read-It-Before category. A lot of it felt new. The author’s thought process was refreshing, and I was introduced to new perspectives and ideas that beautifully emphasize the power of small habits. James Clear has a knack for writing engagingly using clear (pun intended) and concise language. I would even go so far as to say that Atomic Habits was the best non-fiction book I read this year.

I will list some of the quotes from the book that left an impression on me. Hope you like them as much as I did.

Changes that seem small and unimportant at first will compound into remarkable results if you’re willing to stick with them for years.

Time magnifies the margin between success and failure. It will multiply whatever you feed it. Good habits make time your ally. Bad habits make time your enemy.

The San Antonio Spurs, one of the most successful teams in NBA history, have a quote from social reformer Jacob Riis hanging in their locker room: “When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that last blow that did it—but all that had gone before.”

If you want better results, then forget about setting goals. Focus on your system instead. The purpose of setting goals is to win the game. The purpose of building systems is to continue playing the game.

Small changes often appear to make no difference until you cross a critical threshold. The most powerful outcomes of any compounding process are delayed. You need to be patient.

The ultimate form of intrinsic motivation is when a habit becomes part of your identity. It’s one thing to say I’m the type of person who wants this. It’s something very different to say I’m the type of person who is this.

As the psychologist Carl Jung said, “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”

When and where you choose to insert a habit into your daily routine can make a big difference. If you’re trying to add meditation into your morning routine but mornings are chaotic and your kids keep running into the room, then that may be the wrong place and time. Consider when you are most likely to be successful. Don’t ask yourself to do a habit when you’re likely to be occupied with something else.

When scientists analyze people who appear to have tremendous self-control, it turns out those individuals aren’t all that different from those who are struggling. Instead, “disciplined” people are better at structuring their lives in a way that does not require heroic willpower and self-control. In other words, they spend less time in tempting situations.

I once heard a story about a man who uses a wheelchair. When asked if it was difficult being confined, he responded, “I’m not confined to my wheelchair—I am liberated by it. If it wasn’t for my wheelchair, I would be bed-bound and never able to leave my house.” This shift in perspective completely transformed how he lived each day. Reframing your habits to highlight their benefits rather than their drawbacks is a fast and lightweight way to reprogram your mind and make a habit seem more attractive.

The most effective form of learning is practice, not planning.

Habits are easier to build when they fit into the flow of your life. You are more likely to go to the gym if it is on your way to work because stopping doesn’t add much friction to your lifestyle. By comparison, if the gym is off the path of your normal commute—even by just a few blocks—now you’re going “out of your way” to get there.

The truth is, a habit must be established before it can be improved. If you can’t learn the basic skill of showing up, then you have little hope of mastering the finer details.

Even when you know you should start small, it’s easy to start too big. When you dream about making a change, excitement inevitably takes over and you end up trying to do too much too soon. The most effective way I know to counteract this tendency is to use the Two-Minute Rule, which states, “When you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do.”

The takeaway is that you should build habits that work for your personality. People can get ripped working out like a bodybuilder, but if you prefer rock climbing or cycling or rowing, then shape your exercise habit around your interests. If your friend follows a low-carb diet but you find that low-fat works for you, then more power to you. If you want to read more, don’t be embarrassed if you prefer steamy romance novels over nonfiction. Read whatever fascinates you. You don’t have to build the habits everyone tells you to build. Choose the habit that best suits you, not the one that is most popular.

The Goldilocks Rule states that humans experience peak motivation when working on tasks that are right on the edge of their current abilities. Not too hard. Not too easy. Just right.

When a habit is truly important to you, you have to be willing to stick to it in any mood. Professionals take action even when the mood isn’t right. They might not enjoy it, but they find a way to put the reps in.

The only way to become excellent is to be endlessly fascinated by doing the same thing over and over. You have to fall in love with boredom.

The upside of habits is that we can do things without thinking. The downside is that we stop paying attention to little errors.