Description
Book SynopsisIn 1970, John Lennon introduced to the world Alejandro Jodorowsky and the movie, El Topo,that he wrote, starred in, and directed. The movie and its author instantly became a counterculture icon. The New York Timessaid the film "demands to be seen," and Newsweekcalled it "An Extraordinary Movie!" But that was only the beginning of the story and the controversy of El Topo, and the journey of its brilliant creator. His spiritual quest began with the Japanese master Ejo Takata, the man who introduced him to the practice of meditation, Zen Buddhism, and the wisdom of the koans. Yet in this autobiographical account of his spiritual journey, Jodorowsky reveals that it was a small group of wisewomen, far removed from the world of Buddhism, who initiated him and taught him how to put the wisdom he had learned from his master into practice. At the direction of Takata, Jodorowsky became a student of the surrealist painter Leonora Carrington, thus beginning a journey in which vital spiritual lessons were transmitted to him by various women who were masters of their particular crafts. These women included Doña Magdalena, who taught him "initiatic" or spiritual massage; the powerful Mexican actress known as La Tigresa (the "tigress"); and Reyna D'Assia, daughter of the famed spiritual teacher G. I. Gurdjieff. Other important wisewomen on Jodorowsky's spiritual path include María Sabina, the priestess of the sacred mushrooms; the healer Pachita; and the Chilean singer Violeta Parra. The teachings of these women enabled him to discard the emotional armor that was hindering his advancement on the path of spiritual awareness and enlightenment.
Trade Review"Rather than clarifying the meaning of his imagery, this book only inspires readers to enjoy its 'mystery'. . . . a worthy read, filled with growing pains and crises that end in artistic triumph and achievement of wisdom and compassion." * Griselda Steiner, Scene4 Magazine, Jan 2009 *
"Jodorowsky's interactions with the motley crew of
magas are fascinating and his words are always entertaining . . . " * filmcomment, Film Society of Lincoln Center, NYC, Sep/Oct 2008 *
"How this man has lived into the koan of his life is intriguing and vividly related." * Branches of Light, Issue 33, Fall-Winter-Spring 2008-09 *
" . . . for anyone who enjoys reading memoirs about truly interesting and influential people, this is definitely a book to check out." * Curled Up with a Good Book, Nov 2008 *
Table of Contents
Prologue 1 “Intellectual, Learn to Die!”
2 The Secret of Koans
3 A Surrealist Master
4 A Step in the Void
5 The Slashes of the Tigress’s Claws
6 The Donkey Was Not Ill-Tempered after So Many Blows from the Stick
7 From Skin to Soul
8 Like Snow in a Silver Vase
9 Work on the Essence
10 Master to Disciple, Disciple to Master, Disciple to Disciple, Master to Master
Appendix: A Collection of Anecdotes
The Works of Alejandro Jodorowsky
Index
