Fingerpainting on the Moon: Writing and Creativity as a Path to Freedom (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "When I was very young I would ask my mother to tell me stories about her own childhood..." (more)
Key Phrases: naked mind, beautiful particulars, breathe quietly, Saint Francis, Allen Ginsberg, Dae Soen Sa Nim (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In creativity lies the true path to freedom is this book's central and oft-repeated thesis, and Levitt uses a mishmash of mystical Judaism, Zen Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Hinduism and other spiritual and philosophical traditions to inspire readers to tap into their own creative genius. Poet Levitt talks mostly about writing here, but asserts his message applies to "anyone who longs to return to his creative source and to express both the journey and what he finds once he is there." Levitt is a warm and often wise teacher, but his lessons can come off as a bit too precious, a bit too New Age. On the importance of asking questions, Levitt muses that questions "can be the moon calling to us to join them there, which we know how to do. To embrace a question born in our imagination is to feel embraced." Levitt's portrait of a creative life, with its intense focus on dreamy self-examination, may strike some as overly earnest, even solipsistic. Those inclined to express creativity through social commentary, for instance, or satire, will likely not be moved by advice such as "It is in the spirit of awe, inspiration, yearning and the need we all have to discover the light of the creative sparks in our lives that I urge you to close the gap and give yourself entirely to all parts of your world." The strongest parts of the book come when Levitt connects ancient mystical teachings with the present search for creativity. The story of a Zen master who shot an arrow into the sea and declared it a bull's-eye, for example, is a tale meant to help readers overcome fear of failure by avoiding narrow, pre-determined definitions of success. As far as creative success goes, Levitt encourages readers, "the target is large and the center can be found everywhere."
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

As whimsical as it is profound…Writers, artists, and spiritual seekers of all kinds will find fresh and lasting insight. -- Wallmart.com

Practical techniques for dipping into that part of ourselves where creative inspiration is found. Levitt is an expert guide. -- George Beinhorn, East West Book Shop

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harmony; 1 edition (July 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609610481
• ISBN-13: 978-0609610480
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #572,686 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Divine Book!, September 5, 2003

By	Michelle Reed (Malibu, CA USA) - See all my reviews

And I mean that in every sense of the word: sacred, lovely, excellent, perceptive and intuitive. Peter Levitt's vivid writing and obvious love of storytelling makes each page shine. As I read the book, I felt lost in the wilderness of my imagination and my heart, with a wise and friendly guide hovering near. The exercises at the end of each chapter are not merely "one time wonders" but techniques I know I'll return to again and again. In his chapter on permission, Levitt writes, "Everything is permitted in the imagination." And so it is with the exercises. Our only limitation being how far we are willing to go. Fingerpainting on the Moon is a great adventure.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Necessary Wisdom, August 21, 2003

By	Amy Uyematsu (Culver City, CA United States) - See all my reviews

I just read Peter Levitt's Fingerpainting on the Moon and feel it should be required reading for this 21st century. It's written not just for artists, but for "all who long to return to their creative source." Levitt's down-to-earth lessons will surprise you, taking you deep within yourself as well as reconnecting you to the expansive world around you. He writes in a direct, honest, but gently engaging way - with stories, suggestions, a few simple words - that lead you into each chapter's amazing journey of self-discovery. This book inspires us to embrace both the ordinary and the extraordinary in our lives, what Levitt calls the "beautiful particulars," with lasting gratitude and delight.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ascend the Dao, September 1, 2003

By	Richard J. Weekley (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Smile. Peter Levitt has made a tiny bible of stepping stones-Shunyru Suzuki, Paul Klee, Pablo Neruda, Robert Creeley, etc-to support the emerging writing/artist in traversing the grand void. As climbers require pitons, ropes, maps, and confidence-the essentials for the grand climb to consciousness and alert knowing and writing are here. Climbers ascend a step at a time and Peter Levitt has chiseled steps into sheer ice so readers can evolve and eventually know the fabulous view of Dao at the top of the peek. As long treks require camping and tedious hours spent in tents-so the reader will have exercises and writing challenges that help them pass the time and grasp the inner threads that will guide them. It is a warm personable journey and at times readers may even forget they are ascending and their calves are burning. I'm smiling and grateful and deeper. My copy has my underlines on every page, marginal notes, and advice like "read this writer." I only hope many others like Kobun Chino Otogawa-roshi evolve the skill to hit the Pacific Ocean with creative arrows.