1. Samsara (Cyclic Existence):
- Stage: Siddhartha is caught in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, driven by desires and ego attachments.
- Coping: Realizing the futility of pursuing desires, he leaves his privileged life to search for true meaning.
2. Asceticism:
- Stage: Siddhartha embraces extreme asceticism, practicing self-denial and severe austerities to mortify his flesh and attain spiritual enlightenment.
- Coping: Despite his intense efforts, he finds that asceticism doesn't bring him true understanding or peace.
3. Meeting with the Buddha:
- Stage: Siddhartha encounters the Buddha, who embodies the Middle Way, avoiding both extremes of indulgence and self-mortification.
- Coping: Inspired by the Buddha's teachings, Siddhartha realizes that achieving enlightenment doesn't lie in extremes but in finding a balanced path.
4. Awakening and Union with Nature:
- Stage: After leaving the Buddha, Siddhartha embarks on a transformative journey, connecting with nature, listening to the river, and learning from worldly experiences.
- Coping: He copes with this stage by practicing mindfulness, observing without judgment, and embracing life's uncertainties.
5. Encounter with Gotama the Ferryman:
- Stage: Siddhartha comes across Gotama, a simple ferryman who shows him humility and acceptance of all things as they are.
- Coping: He internalizes Gotama's wisdom, accepting himself and his past, freeing himself from regrets and judgment.
6. Achieving Bodhi and Unity with the Whole:
- Stage: In the final moments, Siddhartha gains enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, finding unity with the divine, the surrounding world, and his previous lives.
- Coping: By surrendering his sense of self and the illusion of separation, he transcends dualities and experiences cosmic consciousness.
Throughout the stages, Siddhartha's transformation involves deep contemplation, acceptance, non-attachment, and an understanding of life's inherent interconnectedness. By embracing experiences, embracing challenges, and integrating various teachings, he finds the fulfillment he sought while transcending worldly conceptions of existence.