Siddhartha #3

Dear Advice Columnist: I have a friend named Siddhartha. As a child he was one of those boys who obeyed his fathers and elders. Siddhartha had “a moderate life, pleasure in thinking, hours of meditation, secret knowledge of the Self,” (Hesse, 76). He learned a lot from his teachers and wanted to constantly keep learning from them. He had friends like Govinda and I. My concerns for him are what he has become today. He has turned his life around completely. I don’t know the exact reasoning why but he did.
Basically Siddhartha’s new life is all based on money, possessions, gambling and drinking. “Siddhartha began to play dice for money and jewels with increasing fervor,” (Heese, 79). He became addicted to this game and “he dreamt of money at night,” (Heese, 80). Siddhartha believes to be a superior but I truly believe now in his current situation that he is not superior to the people around him. It seems as if the wine makes him lazy and forgetful and leading him into darker ways.
I don’t know what to say to do to help my friend. If you could help me out then a persons life could be turned around but I really hope to hear back form you.
Thank You,
Cabel

Dear Cabel: I had a friend once who turned his life in a negative direction. My life to you is to always be there for him. It sounds like you are doing that for him by contacting me. I would just to try to talk to him and have him reflect on what has been going on in his life. Don’t get into a big deep argument but push him away from his greedy ways. Just remember that something good always comes of something negative. When helping Siddhartha, just know something good always comes later in life from these negative experiences. I know you will do the right thing and even after you feel that he has turned from his greediness just keep checking in on him. I wish you the best of luck and I hope your friend Siddhartha will see the light!