Words From The Master: 06 Jan 2008

Laughter, the spiritual medicine!

When was the last time you had a really good laugh?

Most of us have forgotten how to laugh. Our laughter is only an extended smile, a social necessity. We are usually laughing at someone, or simply fulfilling a duty. And laughter has been replaced by giggles and sniggers.

In an office, the boss tells a joke. The whole team starts roaring with laughter, except one lady who sits looking bored.

The boss asks: What’s the matter? Why aren’t you laughing?

She replies: I don’t have to. I am quitting next week!

Laughter has tremendous potential that we have forgotten how to use. It is an excellent way of connecting with people.

In fact, the most radical ideas, when presented in a humorous manner, can easily be got across to people.

Most of us are afraid to laugh, especially when we are with strangers, because laughter exposes us. Laughter exposes the innocent, vulnerable You hidden inside you.

Those who find it difficult to laugh have no idea what a gift they’ve lost. Believe me, there is no business more serious than the business of laughter. It is seriously important to be able to laugh!

Learn to laugh at your problems. At least you’ll have something to laugh about!

People who can laugh at themselves are truly blessed, because they have found a way to go beyond the ego.

Laughter is simply an overflowing of health, of abundant energy. It blossoms as a natural result of being at ease with our self and surroundings. That’s why happy, smiling people are usually the most spontaneous.

Laughter has great therapeutic value. Today, the healing effects of laughter are being acknowledged by doctors and psychiatrists worldwide. And that is why so many laughter clubs have mushroomed worldwide; to teach us how to laugh!

The deep, chaotic breathing induced by laughter produces positive vibrations in our body, relaxes the belly and improves digestion. Laughing also cleanses the manipuraka chakra, the subtle energy center in our navel area, which is the seat of worry and depression. The simple act of laughing has the power to unlock deep-rooted psychological suppressions. Laughter is a natural healing power that nature has gifted to us.

Laughter is the highest spiritual path. It is the royal route to enlightenment. It is the easiest and most powerful way of connecting with the boundless energy of Existence.

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This article was earlier published in the Economic Times, an Indian newspaper.

Joke Of The Day: 06 Jan 2008

The husband and wife were fast asleep when the door bell rang. Contrary to routine, the husband woke up and answered it. He came back laughing loudly into the room. His wife asked him what the matter was. He explained, “I wore your night suit to save time and went to open the door. I got the milk from the milkman and also a kiss with it! His wife must be having a night suit just like yours!”

Sometimes, we completely miss the truth in what is being presented to us; like how people catch the priest but miss God!

Life Bliss Galleria: 05 Jan 2008

NEW CD RELEASE: "Meditation IS For You (Part 2): Mouna Bindu (Epicenter of Silence)"

Available at Life Bliss Galleria.

Price: $15 "Blissmas" sale! $10

The sound of silence from inside. Notice the sound from outside and the sound of silence from inside. All outer sound stops at the center. Seek the source of the inner silent sound. Listen to both the outer noise and the inner silence. The perception becomes sharper. And realize.

This CD is part of the 18-CD set: "Meditation Is For You" [LINK].

Website Life Bliss Galleria

Phone (909)625-1400

Email shop@lifebliss.org

Ask The Master: 05 Jan 2008

Q. Why do we have this need to get approval all the time from others?

The sad truth is, we all stopped trusting ourselves a long time ago.

As children, each of us is strongly centered in our own being. Have you ever seen a little child worry about what people will think of him? But as we grow, society plays this idea constantly into our minds. Society teaches us to evaluate ourselves by the ideas and opinions of others - parents, teachers, friends, even strangers. As a result, we begin to believe less and less in ourselves. Without external support, without social ‘certificates’ for all our convictions and actions, we fear that our ego will collapse in no time.

When you worry about something, you feel as if you have a definite point of reference against which to measure yourself. That is why worrying seems to give a centre to your being, a direction to your life. Without worry, you feel as if your being has no axis about which to move! For this very reason, many of us are actually in love with our worries.

People come to me and say, ‘My business is going from bad to worse. I suffered heavy losses last month, and I know that next month is going to be even worse.’ So I ask them, ‘If you can foresee that, why don’t you close down your business right away?’ And they protest in horror, ‘What? What will I do then?’

What they actually mean is, ‘What will I worry about then?’ Without a reason to worry, your ego loses its moorings; it loses its reason for existence. That is why you choose to remain in the dimension of dukkha (worry). You cannot relate to the opposite dimension, ananda (bliss) – for in that dimension, you are nobody. To enjoy bliss, you need to first drop your ego. Are you ready to do that? No! You are ready to take on all worries, but you can’t let go of your ego! So you keep on finding excuses to worry. Most of all, you worry about the fact that everyone around you is happy, while only you are not. But the funny thing is that every single person feels the same way. How is this possible?

A small story:

In a certain kingdom, it came to the king’s notice that everybody was depressed, because they found themselves burdened with more than their fair share of worries, while no one else seemed to have any worries at all.

So the king announced a mega ‘worry exchange offer’, where people could trade their big worries for others’ minor ones.

A vast space was made ready, in the center of which stood a giant ‘worry pot’. Here each person could happily dump his own worries and pick up the worries of anyone else they chose.

The entire kingdom gathered for the event.
Strangers met and starting talking to each other.
In due course, the event was declared open. Not surprisingly, not a single person came forward – for who wants to drop his small, familiar worries, and take on the unknown worries of another instead!

The mind is the master of worry.

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This excerpt has been taken from the book: Uncommon Answers to Common Questions