This is about faith and the struggle to maintain it. Tests, failures, self accusations, and casting blame elsewhere. This can be adherence to a spiritual or artistic ethos.

The journey is east is not about going some place - the east is described as home and youth, everywhere and nowhere and the union of all times. Its about finding your true self and fitting that into the larger spiritual union of all.

The law of service laid down by Leo is maybe the highlight - he wishes to live long must serve. He who rules lives short. Most men don't understand because only a few a born masters. For those who become leaders through endeavors the end is nothing.

This is a novella and shorter and simpler then Siddhartha. However, in both works its clear that to truly convey the meaning not a lot of words are needed.