project 7/

A STORY ABOUT LITTLE WHITE MEN

E. Snegireva, Teacher, Kzyl-Orda

This project as outlined below could be called "On the Benefit of Hysterics." It must be said at the outset that we are talking here not about the clinical form of hysterics, about those peri- odic episodes of tears, anguish, groundless profound despair and grief which are characteristic of ill people or those inclined toward hysterics. What we have in mind here is the use of the beneficial, so to speak, "healthy" kernel which is located inside of any disease, no matter how strange that sounds, in our case, in hysterics. Doctors established long ago that the reason for hysterics is the incompatibility of the very deepest part of your being, that which is usually called the "soul," with the circum- stances of a person's existence in this world. In a broader sense, it is the disharmony, the misunderstanding of the soul, why it has appeared in this world, what is the purpose for it being embodied in this, its "earthly" life. This is the vivid experience of its (the soul's) not being privy to, its superflu- ousness to all that is real, which every time is inflamed in critical circumstances and serves as the reason for often fated symptoms on hysterics.

But on the other hand, an "encounter" with one's own "soul," open and vulnerable, is very valuable for a person. It gives him the opportunity to return to himself, to return to his center. to that small vulnerable "I" which is in each of us and which is the very present which we represent. And there is a simple means for this "return." Take a small piece of paper and begin, not thinking about it. to write a story about "little white men": how do they look, where did you see them. It isn't important that at first this will seem to be ridiculous and absurd to you. Soon you will see that it becomes easier and easier, your imagination will easily prompt you all the circumstances. It is not surprising, your soul which is the "white person" inside of you, itself floats into your consciousness and will dictate the rest of the text to you. But that's not all. As your story moves along, after awhile you to your own surprise will begin to see in certain places of the room and right before you on the table other "little white men," other "souls related to you," very similar in appearance to the one living inside of you ...

THE STORY ABOUT THE LiTTLE WHITE MEN

l . Make a large number of "little white men": cut them out or make them according to a. pattern ordinary white paper or slightly heavier paper. Then smear the figure with glue and having placed a thin ( l mm) wire inside so that the end of it only goes below the "feet" by l . 5 cm, glue another identical figure to it .

2 . such figures can be arranged on the table in the following way: first make a. hole in the wood with an awl, then insert the metal leg of the figure. 3. The ring on which the "little men" are standing (and which should hang above the table at a height of 110 cm), is also to be made of wire that 1 mm in diameter. Run the thin ends of the wires ( 2 cm long) upward, then glue the paper halves of the little men on them. Run fine fish- ing line to the ceiling from this. 4. How can you lead the "little men" to the wire running diag- onally under the ceiling: First you have to "put" the lit- tle men on one wire, and then solder such a pair to the long wire which will form this diagonal. . It is obligatory to ensure that in such a "pair" of little men they are turned parallel to one another. The distance between each pair is 10 cm. When the wire with the "adorned" "pairs" is ready, then it is possible to stretch it between nails ham- mered into the corners of the room and the ceiling ( cf .

sketch 1) .