Laughter as Medicine: Embracing Joy for Healing

Several years ago, three friends and I were walking on the beach near the Aquinnah Cliffs on Martha’s Vineyard; four adults out for a lovely stroll on a foggy afternoon. We walked and talked, took a swim, and walked some more. All of a sudden, one of us asked, “Is that man naked?” As we looked more carefully down the beach, we realized that we had wandered upon a nude beach and everyone lounging on towels or playing kadima was naked. In a flash, we were a pack of giggling, snorting goofballs trying to look composed. How I wish there was a video camera tracking our hasty U-turn!

Every time I think of this experience, I laugh. Being human is so fun and funny and it’s so easy to forget our inherent joy.

Can you remember the last time you snorted with laughter?

Children naturally find so much in life to be funny, especially the human body. My kids had a whoopee cushion that would often appear under someone’s seat at the dinner table. And the fussier the guest, the harder my kids would laugh. (Frequently the whoopee cushion was under my own chair!)

Sacred scripture in every tradition shares many hilarious stories. In his book Between Heaven and Mirth, James Martin, S.J. writes about how one scripture scholar pointed out a silly moment in the story of Zacchaeus. A man of short stature, Zacchaeus couldn’t see Jesus through the crowds, so he climbed a tree … wearing the robes that were common at that time … likely without undergarments. So when Jesus walked under the tree, looked up, and yelled, “Zacchaeus, come down from there!” there may have been several layers to that command!

Can we allow silly situations in life to soften and open our hearts?

The Sufi figure Mulla Nasruddin is often depicted riding a donkey backward, and embodies the essence of the divine fool. In his book Sacred Laughter of the Sufis, Imam Jamal Rahman shares dozens of these comic tales that reveal divine wisdom. In one, the Mulla went to the king’s annual banquet dressed as a peasant. He was seated at the end of the line to be served. Eager to be served more quickly, the Mulla went home and dressed in a magnificent cloak and turban. Returning to the banquet, he was greeted with great honor and seated close to the king. When his meal came, the Mulla started rubbing handfuls of food into the cloak and turban. The King asks the Mulla to explain this strange new eating ritual. The Mulla replied, “Since my cloak and turban got me a choice place at the table, I’m making sure they get their just desserts!”

My dear ones, in stressful times, sometimes all we can do is laugh. This in no way diminishes the suffering and difficulties of the world around us but helps us to connect with the radiant Source of all love and life who, despite it all, delights in this comic, crazy world.

I hope that each of you experience the gift of laughter frequently in the coming days. And maybe consider a silly prank today—toothpaste Oreos anyone?

Hugs and blessings to you, my friends,
Libby