Fingers Pointing Towards the Moon

Reflections of a Pilgrim on the Way

By: Wei Wu Wei

Narrated by: Paul Aulridge

Fingers Pointing Towards the Moon is a landmark in modern Zen writing—an uncompromising guide to awakening written by the mysterious author known only as Wei Wu Wei. With piercing clarity and illuminating insight, Wei Wu Wei challenges listeners to move beyond concepts and words, toward the direct experience of truth.

First published in 1958, this book quickly earned its place alongside the works of Alan Watts, Paul Reps, and Philip Kapleau as one of the essential classics of Zen. For many seekers, it is not simply a book but a teacher—an invitation to see through illusion and awaken to what is real.

Ramesh Balsekar, renowned Advaita teacher, once confessed: “I repeatedly felt that Nisargadatta Maharaj and Wei Wu Wei had ganged up to have a private joke at my expense. It was indeed a gang-up—but it was to bring about a sudden awakening.”

Wei Wu Wei lived an unusual life. Born into an Irish family in 1895, he was educated at Oxford, where he initially pursued Egyptology and the arts before turning to philosophy and Eastern wisdom. His search led him to India and the ashram of Sri Ramana Maharshi. From that encounter, a series of eight remarkable works emerged, beginning with Fingers Pointing Towards the Moon and continuing for the next 16 years under his pen name.

For listeners drawn to Zen, Buddhism, or non-duality teachings, this audiobook offers a rare chance to hear a voice that opens the way to genuine awakening. Fingers Pointing Towards the Moon is not a book of answers—it is a challenge to awaken.

©2003 Kegan Paul Limited (P)2025 Sentient P