Why the Chicken Crossed the Road And Other Hidden Enlightenment Teachings from the Buddha to Bebop to Mother Goose - Softcover

Sluyter, Dean

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0874779057 ISBN 13: 9780874779059

Publisher: Penguin, 1998

Synopsis

In thirty-three short, illustrated chapters, a humorous and revealing collection illuminates the insights into spirituality and the nature of the universe latent in popular songs, jingles, jokes, sayings, and nursery rhymes. Original. 15,000 first printing.

About this title

From the Author

Some Kind Words About the Chicken . . .

"Sluyter's fresh, enticing manifesto of found wisdom from the scrap heap of popular culture highlights the right stuff. This dean’s instruction goes down easy, nourishes both heart and mind, and tickles the funny bone too. I found plenty of good eggs in his basket."
– Lama Surya Das, author of AWAKENING THE BUDDHA WITHIN

"A brilliant, funny, profound and crazy vision of the sacredness in everyday life. I didn't know whether to laugh at its wit or cry at its insight. If Franny and Zooey are your friends, this book will mean a lot to you."
– Jane Cavolina, author of GROWING UP CATHOLIC

"This is a witty and wonderfully wise presentation of the freedom of non-desire (but I cannot guarantee that it liberates completely, because I often wished I had written it)."
–Sylvia Boorstein, author of IT'S EASIER THAN YOU THINK

"Dean Sluyter is an enthusiast: for language, for life, and for the juice of it all — the rich living gravy that oozes out of every nuance of experience. The nature of reality is our most fundamental teacher and it speaks of itself everywhere and in everything — Dean Sluyter has listened to the rumours for years and now he presents them with delicious fun and lightness."
– Ngakpa Chogyam Rinpoche, author of SPECTRUM OF ECSTASY

"Sluyter proves to be a subtle and imaginative guide through the contemporary world of pop culture, dazzling us with epiphanies growing out of jingles, jokes, and folk sayings. He provides fresh takes on faith, devotion, grace, being present, beauty, practice, selflessness, forgiveness, and simplicity. Like the best spiritual teachers, Sluyter lets light in from many angles — in this case, the wisdom of Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, and more. WHY THE CHICKEN CROSSED THE ROAD is a surefire demonstration of why play is an essential ingredient in spiritual growth."
– Frederic A. Brussat, VALUES & VISIONS REVIEWS SERVICE

Synopsis

Looks at the enlightenment teachings hidden in everyday sayings, songs, and jokes in Western culture, including knock-knock jokes, nursery rhymes, and children's finger-play rhymes.

Edition details

• Publisher: Penguin
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0874779057
• ISBN 13: 9780874779059
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 274