Finger and the Moon

Alejandro Jodorowsky is a playwright, filmmaker, composer, mime, and psychotherapist. He has directed several films, including The Rainbow Thief and the legendary cult classics El Topo and The Holy Mountain. His most recent film, The Dance of Reality, debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013 alongside a highly acclaimed documentary about his visionary film that never was, Jodorowsky’s Dune. He is the author of more than 20 books on spirituality and tarot, including Psychomagic, The Way of Tarot, Metagenealogy, and Sacred Trickery and the Way of Kindness, as well as more than 30 comic books and graphic novels. He lives in Paris.

“No one alive today, anywhere, has been able to demonstrate the sheer possibilities of artistic invention--and in so many disciplines--as powerfully as Alejandro Jodorowsky.”

• PROLOGUE Experience with Ejo Takata (Mexico, 1961) The Essential Sound of Emptiness ZEN AND JAPANESE STORIES Swallowing the Serpent The Two Cat Doors The Fool and the Theologian Crossing the River Eyes Wide Open The Monks and the Rabbits Miracle and Faith The Zen Garden Attention Ignorance and Enlightenment The Interview Hell and Paradise Pay Attention An Impassive Old Man The Test of the Jar The Head of the Dog The Learning Process KOANS Regarding Koan Masters and Disciples The Wooden Buddha in the Temple Fire Water What Is Buddha? Back to the World Infinity Is Buddha in the Dog? Seizing the Sky The Master’s Bones The Master’s Death Two Monks and a Nightingale The White Stone The Heart of the Tree The Visit of Master Tanka Mokugen’s Smile Submit! Open Hand, Closed Hand Cutting Off Buddha’s Neck A Million Things The One-Pound Shirt Break the Shape Where Are You? Becoming One with the Path The Dog’s Nature Nansen’s Arrow Joshu and the Birds The Monk, the Bridge, and the River The Spirit at the Center Falling into the Well The Sleeping Attendant Constant Inconstancy The Thousand Hands of the Buddha of Compassion The Master’s Heart Ten Thousand Stronger than Buddha Interior and Exterior The Best Piece of Meat The Three Worlds What Has Become of the Old Masters? A Definition of Zen Facing Disaster Tchao-Tcheu Tests an Old Woman The Mocking Gloss of Wu-Men Arakuine’s Tears Enlightenment The Candle The Master’s Gratitude HAIKUS GLOSSARY INDEX