On a recent trip to New York, I went to Laughing Lotus Yoga. The only thing funny about it was my attempt at a handstand. I chose that studio because the idea of laughter is inviting. Combined with a spiritual practice, I find it irresistible. There is a popular misconception that to be spiritual is to be somber. Not so. Personally, I embrace irreverent reverence. I can’t fathom it any other way.
“Laughter is the real religion. Everything else is just metaphysics.” ~Osho
If humor wasn’t a basic ingredient of spirituality, I’d be in a different field. Indeed, Mahatma Gandhi took it to another level when he said, “If I had no sense of humor, I would long ago have committed suicide.” Good point. Though with all due respect, his comedic delivery could perhaps have used some work.
I don’t know about you, but I find that the Divine has a playful sense of humor. For example, in my advertising days, I once appealed to the Universe for a job at “Goodby,” and instead, an offer from “Godbe” fell in my lap. At the time, I recognized it as a cosmic joke. I thought, “Is God hearing impaired?” And now for the first time, a decade later, I can also appreciate the pun. Was this a nudge to get out of the ad game and into God? I don’t know, but that’s more or less what happened. I am the subject of such spiritual antics often and I thoroughly enjoy it. It gives me permission to be a prankster myself.
I will admit that “waking up” has changed my humor. I no longer make jokes at other people’s expense. Unless they are members of my extended family. I leave the really critical, demoralizing barbs to the likes of Chelsea Handler, a true pro. I admire her honesty. But unlike this runaway best-selling author of books like My Horizontal Life, I have to sleep with myself.
“Lead me not into temptation; I can find the way myself.” ~Rita Mae Brown.
Faith,
You are so right, people do believe that spirituality is somber, when really it should be filled with joy and laughter.
I love the example of being careful what you ask for, isn’t there a saying, don’t ask for patience because you’ll get problems (as a way to learn patience)?
I laugh every time I do yoga, I have no sense of balance and fall over!
Faith,
You are so right, people do believe that spirituality is somber, when really it should be filled with joy and laughter.
I love the example of being careful what you ask for, isn’t there a saying, don’t ask for patience because you’ll get problems (as a way to learn patience)?
I laugh every time I do yoga, I have no sense of balance and fall over!
Candy~ thanks for your reply. I agree, there is a lot of truth to “be careful what you wish for!” The example you give is great. I’d love to hear more.
Candy~ thanks for your reply. I agree, there is a lot of truth to “be careful what you wish for!” The example you give is great. I’d love to hear more.
Faith, I'd read your new post in the morning and I enjoyed it more than my morning coffee – which is my #1 thing in am :-). And the song we can listen under the “waking up” word – a theme song for the entire day! WAKE UP and LIVE! I love it! Thank you for the post with another great topic.
There is an old saying “Smile at the world and it'll smile back”, so simple and so powerful. If it goes about me, laughter, smile.. totally lifts up my spirit.
I also like the very last quotes on your blog … Is the meaning of it something like don't lead me, I don't want to end up there any faster than I will by myself?
Teresa,
Thanks for your smile inducing comments! Better than your morning coffee? The highest compliment! 🙂
Let me address your question about the quote, “Lead me not into temptation; I can find the way myself.” by Rita Mae Brown. She is playing off the Lord's Prayer with the humorous notion that she doesn't need any help finding trouble– she is quite able to do that on her own! Good point, don't you think?
Faith,
Thank you for clarifying my understanding of Rita Mae Brown’s quote. Yes, good point. It’s human’s nature finding trouble, I think. Just like some old proverb says: “Forbidden fruit is sweetest”.
Thanks to your blog and the quote you’d posted, I read a little bit more about Rita Mae Brown, also checked some other funny quotes/sayings about temptation, so as you can see, your blog cheered up my day, made me thinking + even made me do some online research:-) Maybe I can share one funny quote I’d found with you: “I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it” /Mae West.
Happy Day to all bloggers!
Faith,
Thank you for clarifying my understanding of Rita Mae Brown’s quote. Yes, good point. It’s human’s nature finding trouble, I think. Just like some old proverb says: “Forbidden fruit is sweetest”.
Thanks to your blog and the quote you’d posted, I read a little bit more about Rita Mae Brown, also checked some other funny quotes/sayings about temptation, so as you can see, your blog cheered up my day, made me thinking + even made me do some online research:-) Maybe I can share one funny quote I’d found with you: “I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it” /Mae West.
Happy Day to all bloggers!
Faith,
Thank you for clarifying my understanding of Rita Mae Brown’s quote. Yes, good point. It’s human’s nature finding trouble, I think. Just like some old proverb says: “Forbidden fruit is sweetest”.
Thanks to your blog and the quote you’d posted, I read a little bit more about Rita Mae Brown, also checked some other funny quotes/sayings about temptation, so as you can see, your blog cheered up my day, made me thinking + even made me do some online research:-) Maybe I can share one funny quote I’d found with you: “I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it” /Mae West.
Happy Day to all bloggers!
Faith,
Thank you for clarifying my understanding of Rita Mae Brown’s quote. Yes, good point. It’s human’s nature finding trouble, I think. Just like some old proverb says: “Forbidden fruit is sweetest”.
Thanks to your blog and the quote you’d posted, I read a little bit more about Rita Mae Brown, also checked some other funny quotes/sayings about temptation, so as you can see, your blog cheered up my day, made me thinking + even made me do some online research:-) Maybe I can share one funny quote I’d found with you: “I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it” /Mae West.
Happy Day to all bloggers!
Lo these many years I’ve said, “If it isn’t fun for me and fun for anyone else involved, I ain’t doin’ it!” Of course, fun can be deep levels of fulfillment and enjoyment. As one Unity wag and coach suggested, would it be all right if your life got easier? Laughter, humor, fun, enjoyment, lightness of spirit and Spirit can lead the way to that easier path.
Long have I said, “If I’m not having fun and others aren’t either, I’m not doin’ it.” Fun, of course, can be at deep levels of satisfaction, enjoyment, and fulfillment. And as one Unity wag/coach suggested, would it be OK if life got easier? Humor, laughter, life on the light(er) side can lead the way to that easier life.