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Jae has a good life. She has a loving boyfriend, a wonderful daughter, and an accepting family. Still, she feels like something important is missing from her life. Out for a walk one day, Jae comes across an old bridge. Crossing it begins a series of otherworldly events in an entirely different realm of being. Traversing this ever-shifting landscape, Jae meets spiritual mentors, faces obstacles of the soul, and gains control over her own mind. All the while, she is on the hunt for the elusive ox, half man and half beast, who acts as her spirit guide. Spurned on by a cryptic note from her recently departed grandmother, Jae embarks on a journey of self-discovery that will change her life forever.
Jae's adventures begin with one nagging question: "What is my purpose in life?" Part novel, part self-help book, Ox Herding takes readers down the rabbit-hole into a realm of self-discovery. The book combines the philosophical romp of Sophie's World with the acid trip of Alice in Wonderland. Every detail is deliberate, and every moment is meaningful. Through Jae, readers experience the path to enlightenment. Jae learns about religion, spirituality, philosophy, and ways of living and thinking. She learns from her virtues and overcomes her vanities. This is a modern retelling of "The 10 Ox Herding Pictures," a Zen Buddhist depiction of the journey to enlightenment.
If you're still lost when you reach the final page of the story, Griffiths' afterword provides a thorough explanation of the journey undertaken by Jae, and how it correlates to the Buddhist work. But can Jae complete her spiritual pilgrimage and find a meaning to her existence? Sometimes spiritual, sometimes sensual, Ox Herding is an unforgettable journey through our own humanity.