Alejandro Jodorowsky

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Finger and the moon - zen teachings and koans

Before he became the film maker and graphic novel author known throughout the world today, Alejandro Jodorowsky studied with Zen master Ejo Takata in Mexico City. In THE FINGER AND THE MOON, Jodorowsky recounts how he became Takata's student and offers his interpretations of the teaching tales, initiatory stories, koans and enigmatic haikus he learned at the feet of his great and humble teacher. Blending the same burlesque slapstick and sublime insight that characterise his films such as El Topo and The Holy Mountain, each story is accompanied by the author's lucid and penetrating commentary, as well as insights from ancient Zen teachers. Yet their most significant gift to the reader is the sudden shock of realisation they impart that can lead to spiritual awakening. Jodorowsky notes that most people are incapable of self-realisation because of their fear of the void within, an emptiness they seek to fill with noise and chatter. He shows that Zen teachings can be compared to a finger pointing at the moon, directing you to awaken to your true nature - the Buddha within. The danger lies in mistaking the pointing finger for the moon, mistaking the words for the essential enlightenment, which can only be grasped once words have been surpassed. Unlike most tales, these stories are intended to evoke silent illumination - as true awakening and self-realisation cannot occur until the mind has been stilled. · Offers more than 60 Zen teaching tales, initiatory stories, koans and haikus for self-realisation and spiritual awakening · Each story or koan is accompanied by the author's lucid and penetrating commentary, blending the same burlesque slapstick and sublime insight that characterise his films · Explains how one must see beyond the words of the story to grasp the spiritual insights they contain