When I was a young person I went to the university and I learned a rational language, to think with the left side of the brain. But in the right side of the brain you have intuition and imagination. Words are not the truth; they indicate the way to go, but you need to go alone, in silence. Symbols have a language that kills the words.
The quote "When I was a young person I went to the university and I learned a rational language, to think with the left side of the brain. But in the right side of the brain you have intuition and imagination. Words are not the truth; they indicate the way to go, but you need to go alone, in silence. Symbols have a language that kills the words." by Alejandro Jodorowsky reflects the contrast between rational thought and intuition. Jodorowsky, a Chilean filmmaker and writer known for his surreal and philosophical works, acknowledges the role of education and reason in shaping one's understanding of the world, symbolized by the left side of the brain, associated with logic and language. However, he suggests that true understanding transcends language and is found in the right side of the brain, which governs intuition, creativity, and imagination.
Jodorowsky criticizes the reliance on words and rationality to capture the essence of truth, stating that while words can point the way, they do not embody truth itself. He suggests that words are limited because they are abstract and external, whereas intuition and imagination offer a deeper, more personal form of understanding that cannot always be expressed through language. Silence becomes a means of connecting with this inner wisdom, allowing individuals to go beyond the superficiality of rationality and access a more profound truth that cannot be fully captured by words alone.
The mention of symbols in the quote further deepens the idea that language and words are not the ultimate form of expression. Symbols communicate at a deeper, often subconscious level, speaking directly to the mind and emotions in ways that words cannot. Jodorowsky suggests that symbols, through their inherent power and mystical qualities, bypass the limitations of verbal language and communicate truth in a way that transcends the intellect.
Ultimately, Jodorowsky’s quote is a call to move beyond the confines of logical and rational thought and embrace the more fluid, intuitive ways of knowing that exist within us. He advocates for the importance of silence, imagination, and symbols as tools for accessing deeper truths about ourselves and the world. The journey to true understanding, according to Jodorowsky, is not just a mental exercise, but one that requires introspection and connection with the deeper aspects of our being.
HYNguyen Thi Hai Yen
This quote raises interesting questions about the duality of human cognition and communication. If words are not the ultimate truth but pointers, does that make language inherently flawed or simply a tool with limits? How do we reconcile this with the need for clear communication in society? Could embracing symbolic language lead to misunderstandings or deeper empathy?
HTHuyen Trang
Emotionally, this idea resonates with anyone who has felt frustrated by the limitations of language. It suggests that silence and solitude are essential for true comprehension. How might this impact relationships and conversations, where words often fall short? Can symbols, like art or music, serve as bridges to deeper connection, transcending the limitations of spoken language?
VHHo Vinh Hung
The quote highlights a potential conflict between structured education and personal insight. Could it be that universities teach us to think in a constrained way, focusing on logic, while ignoring other forms of knowing? How might education systems change to embrace intuition and imagination more? And what role does silence play in accessing these less tangible ways of understanding?
QNQuynh Nhu
I find this perspective both liberating and challenging. If words only indicate a path but don’t hold the truth, how do we navigate knowledge and understanding? Does this suggest that intellectual learning is limited, and intuition must fill the gaps? How do we cultivate this right-brain awareness in a world that prioritizes measurable facts and verbal communication?
VPdo van phi
Alejandro Jodorowsky’s idea that symbols have a language that ‘kills’ words intrigues me. Could this mean that some truths are beyond verbal expression and require a different kind of perception? How do symbols communicate in ways words cannot? And what does it mean to ‘go alone in silence’—is this a spiritual practice, a personal journey, or both? I’d love to explore how this applies to art and dreams.