Many people might be surprised to think of laughter as a form of meditation. Yet not only is laughing meditation one of the simplest forms of meditation, but also it is a very powerful one. The physical act of laughing is one of the few actions involving the body, emotions, and the soul. When we laugh, we give ourselves over to the immediacy of the present moment. We also are able to momentarily transcend minor physical and mental stresses. Practiced in the morning, laughing meditation can lend a joyful quality to the entire day. Practiced in the evening, laughing meditation is a potent relaxant that has been known to inspire pleasant dreams. Laughter also can help open our eyes to previously unnoticed absurdities that can make life seem less serious.
There are three stages to mindful laughter. Each stage can last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. The first stage involves stretching your body like a cat and breathing deeply. Your stretch should start at the hands and feet before you move through the rest of your body. Stretch out the muscles in your face by yawning and making silly faces. The second stage of the meditation is pure laughter. Imagine a humorous situation, remember funny jokes, or think about how odd it is to be laughing by yourself. When the giggles start to rise, let them. Let the laughter ripple through your belly and down into the soles of your feet. Let the laughter lead to physical movement. Roll on the floor, if you have to, and keep on laughing until you stop. The final stage of the meditation is one of silence. Sit with your eyes closed and focus on your breath. Laughter brings with it a host of positive effects that operate on both the physical and mental levels. It is also fun, expressive, and a way to release tension. Learn to laugh in the present moment, and you'll find that joy is always there.
I'm a firm believer in finding the humorous in uncomfy situations. I think it keeps me, well relatively, sane. It's sometimes hard, my husband is a very quiet and private person, so I need to get outside myself, around a few others, that share my normally upbeat mood. But when I'm in a funk, finding laughter has been a great healer.It gets me over the hump. Hey Phil! I'm doin' good for an old gal........Wren
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i found god in myself/and I loved her/i loved her fiercely--Ntozake Shange
"The unique concept of Laughter Yoga and Laughter Club is the brain child of Dr. Madan Kataria, a physician from Mumbai, India. Any one can laugh in a group for 15-20 minutes without depending upon great sense of humor, jokes or comedy. Laughter Yoga combines simple laughter exercises (simulated laughter) and gentle yoga breathing, which turns into real laughter when practiced in a group."
I was introduced to this in, of all places (you aint gonna believe), a Kiwanis ("Saving the children of the world") Club meeting.
Danged iff'n it don't work!!!
Peace in Recovery,
Dan
Hey Wren...Headin' for the upper Oregon coast on June 24, to visit family. Gonna visit Lewis and Clark's winter camp while we're there, and Ft. Stevens where the Columbia River rolls into the Pacific. (Been dropping strong hints to my son-in-law that I could also be convinced to bring along my fly rod.)
Oh how cool! I don't have any idea what's in season right now. I only do catch and release anyway. Bring a small shovel, too. Clams and oysters are pretty popular right now.
I have to give myself some lessons in tying my fly line. Get the pamphlet back out. got my flies ready, sat down with some line, and drew a massive blank.Gosh, I wonder why? LOL, it's those two left over brain cells Phil talks about.....I think one of mine left..
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i found god in myself/and I loved her/i loved her fiercely--Ntozake Shange
)
Gosh, I wonder why? LOL, it's those two left over brain cells Phil talks about.....I think one of mine left..