The Story of Mu by James Cordova and Mark Morse

The Story of Mu.  James Cordova and Mark Morse. Wisdom Publications MA. April 2016. 64 pp.  ISBN#: 9781614292203.

This short narrative is a picture book that tells the story of the origin of life and the story of a man who lived a regular life.  He finally sat under a tree and meditated until he was One with matter, space and time. This realization is all that could free humans from endless searching and suffering.  “I am Mu.”  This is a koan (Zen riddle) that can only “be known.” It defies logic, study, etc.

The second half of the book contains beautiful illustrations of the story told in the first part, but it will strike the reader that meditating on each picture will bring one into that Oneness. 

This is not the kind of book that one rates; one may read it on several levels.  Or perhaps one may use it as a meditation book.

While those who are familiar with Buddhism will relish this book, non-Buddhist readers should also cherish its warm, inspirational qualities.

The authors are both highly trained and practitioners of their respective fields, Dharma transmission – a school of Zen Buddhism – and art.

I received this book from Netgalley for a fair and honest review.  The story and illustrations are ones I would definitely recommend to other readers to enjoy and ponder!