I love to laugh. It’s not something I try to do. It just happens: laughter pours from my heart. And, unless someone asks me “what are you laughing about?”, or “what’s so funny?”, I usually don’t stop to ask myself these questions. There’s nothing to laugh at, literally. Laughter is. It’s truly an expression of the realization that only God is, and everything else that appears to be is just an absolutely laughable and absurd illusion. : )
This past weekend, I had the delightful opportunity to attend a Laughter Yoga leader training in Las Vegas. What a Joy! To laugh and laugh for no reason at all was the entire purpose of this training. How validating that was for me! Yes! my heart responded, there are more happy, laughing-for-no-reason hearts in the world, of course! Excellent!
Laughter really is the perfect exercise. As an aerobic activity that stimulates the heart and lungs while massaging other internal organs, it’s an excellent exercise for those who of us who don’t enjoy jogging or going to the gym. (They say 1 minute of laughter is equal to 10 minutes of jogging or rowing!) Of course, the benefits of laughter go far beyond the physical. When we laugh, we let go…of everything. You can’t hold on the fear, grief, pain, anger…you can’t hold on to anything. In fact, when you really laugh, and keep laughing, you can’t even think. Ha Ha Ha!! It totally clears the mind.
Laughter is an excellent prescription then for any ailment, whether it seems to be of the body or of the mind. Since we know our thoughts create what we see and experience in this world, what better way to experience joy, then to laugh?! Why wait to be happy about something to laugh? Let laughter be the cause, not the effect. And then, aaaaahhhhh….. nothing but a smile of peace and recognition.
My favorite poet, Hafiz, knew the secret of laughter. “What is this love and laughter budding in our hearts? ” he says, “It is the glorious sound of a soul waking up!”
Let’s wake up now, shall we!