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 (ÐÑигоÑий ÐÑÑеÑ) 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. * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
