Laughing All the Way
I am in rebellion this week because I believe. . .strike that. . .know that I am getting a “rep” as too serious. One reader even mentioned getting out the kleenex in the discussion thread of a recent article. I mean the soul has a sense of humor too alright, already. It can laugh with the best of them. Now I’m not just talking about a chortle or two. I’m talking major cachinnation here. Yeah, I’m talking loud guffaws.
Take Famous Amos for example. You know, the Chocolate Chip Cookie entrepeneur and spiritual light. Look what a great sense of humor he has, and he has more soul than a sausage has stuffing. I heard him speak at a motivational seminar once, and he had everyone rolling in the aisles. . .and not just chortling either. They were seriously laughing as he related the ups and downs of his life and his own spiritual fulfillments, especially his community building efforts. He got real guffaws too."
There’s a spiritual comic that is in a class all by himself (because no one else could stand him I'm told. . .titter, titter). Swami Beyondananda is most definitely the "clown prince" of mysticism, religion and new age thought in general. In his own words he is also a real "FUNdamentalist.” He is the author of such comedy CDs as "Drive Your Karma, Curb Your Dogma" and "Don't Squeeze the Shaman.”
You certainly do not wish to miss the good Swami’s Ten Guideline’s for Enlightenment. Join him at Swami Beyondananda and see if he really is the "Guru of Ho-Ho-Holy Hee-Hee-Healing." H-m-m-m-m. . .I suppose that into every life—-even the most comically enlightened-—a little corn must fall.
A sense of humor is an important part of any spiritual path. Try some of the offerings traditional and modern from the Sivananda Om Page. Here’s a page full of spiritual humor links.
One humorous story that I have always liked concerns a Zen master and being truly present even at the end of life. As the frail man lies dying, all his disciples gather around him weeping and wailing, with great moaning and gnashing of teeth.
“Say,” he asks them in a weak voice, “did you ever see anyone die lying down?”
Latest Articles