Ask Baba Yaga: How Can I Stand This Lack of Humility?

Transcript after the jump.

Dear Baba Yaga,

I move in a circle of friends who use their spiritual lives as badges of power and importance. I love them, but I am also tired of the grandstanding and lack of humility. How can I tell them this without making them mad or losing face in our group?

BABA YAGA:

Yr friends,as any other mortals, crave vain & foolish things. They are only wearing different garments than some. ;Knowing this, put on yr own strange garment, dark cloak of wisdom: dress for one day as a crow, & crow out what you see. Though crows are unwelcome messengers, mortals always in secret honor them for their knowings. After stating such prophecies, put on again yr usual human costume, & they will welcome you again, now with a respectful eye.

Previously: Why Are My Lists Oppressing Me?

Taisia Kitaiskaia is a poet, writer, and Michener Center for Writers fellow. She’s taking questions on behalf of Baba Yaga at [email protected].