books about being human?

[Raffi Aftandelian]

Karen, 

Thanks much for starting this thread.

Lest we forget Angie Arrien's The Fourfold Way. It sat on my shelf for
several years after several failed attempts at reading it. And when I opened
it after dust collected, I found it to be a treasure. Very concise and
practical.

Also, Grigorii Oster's (Григорий Остер) Harmful Advice [Vrednye Sovety].
Oster is described as a children's writer read by primarily by adults. His 
contrarian rhymes and poetry caused a huge uproar when he came out in print
during Perestroika. 

Sadly, last time I checked he was not available in English.

If the Soviet Ministry of Education ever had a Kommissar for Experimental
Curriculum Design applying Discordian principles, Oster would've been the man.

Part of his inspiration lies in the knowledge that children (people?) don't
do what they are told. So perhaps then- he reasoned- it's best to advise
them to do the opposite? Recalls the words of the Zen master Suzuki Roshi,
"The best way to control people is to encourage them to be mischievous." 

I think the books (he also has a line of "Harmful Textbooks") are an
invaluable reminder and warm encouragement about letting go, really sit
joyfully and with compassionate curiosity for *all* the zaniness of the
world. Invite everything?

Below are a few samples in English translation and also links to 2
illustrations. I think the books are worth it just for the pictures if one
seems to have forgotten Russian.

Oster is also coming out with a Folk Treasury of Harmful Advice for Children
from around the World. (alas also in the language of that great writer of
Ethiopian descent, Alexander Pushkin).

a warm malacalyptic greetings from san diego,
raffi


http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6164/1604/1600/gregory%20oster%204.jpg

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6164/1604/1600/gregory%20oster3.jpg


Any child who gets lost
Should remember
that he'll be taken home
as soon as he says where he lives
You gotta be savvy
Say, "I live by the palm where the monkeys swing
on some faraway islands."
Any child
with an ounce of streetsmarts
will not give up this chance
to visit other countries.

***

Once you take on your dad
or your mom in battle
Try to surrender to mom
Dad don't take no prisoners
And be sure to check out with mom beforehand:
Does she remember that the Red Cross
prohibits whipping kids bottoms with a belt?

***

The Harmful Advice Children's Cookbook

Recipe book

***Bullies oven-roasted in their jackets served hot with badasses
Reheat the badass, and once warm throw him a few bullies with smashed
(fermented) noses. The bullies are usually served first and then the
badasses are served peeled.

*** Curious George Breads
Many tasty and filling dishes can be made from such kids if instead of
answering their questions you roll them into dough. First, though, you
should seal their mouths shut with high fat cream.

***Teacher's pet in syrup and cream
Pour a thick cherry syrup over the teacher's pet and decorate with cream
roses. Eat small servings to avoid nausea.

*
*
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