“Honey! I shrunk myself!”
A patient walks into a clinic, terribly anxious.
Patient: Nurse! Nurse!! Please help me! I am shrinking. I am losing an inch of height every few minutes!
Nurse: So sorry dear, our team is on their way to an emergency. You’re just going to have to be a little patient!
Rediscovering the Joy: Raju’s Encounter with Guruji Laughananda
“Why did the doctor want to carry a ladder in his clinic?”
“Because he wanted to reach the ‘high’ blood pressure patients!“
In the hustle and bustle of today’s world, where stress seems to be the constant companion of every individual, one often overlooks the simple yet profound remedy that lies within our reach – laughter. As the timeless adage goes, “Laughter is the best medicine,” and indeed, it is a potent elixir that can rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul.
In this essay, we embark on a philosophical and humorous journey with Raju, a 50-year-old Indian corporate consultant, as he discovers the transformative power of laughter under the able guidance of Guruji Laughananda.
“Why did the guruji hand Raju a yoga mat instead of medicine?“
Because he said, “This is the only patch you’ll need for your software issues
– and it’s virus-free!”
The Simple Elixir: Understanding the Power of Laughter
Laughter is the epitome of simplicity. It requires no elaborate preparations, no special equipment, and no exorbitant costs. It is freely available to all, regardless of age, gender, or social status.
Raju, like many of us, had always been too engrossed in his corporate endeavors to spare a moment for laughter. Caught in the whirlwind of deadlines and meetings, he had forgotten the joyous sound of laughter echoing through his life.
Enter Guruji Laughananda, a wise and eccentric spiritual teacher known for his contagious laughter and profound insights. With a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous grin, Guruji introduced Raju to the transformative power of laughter. “Laughter,” Guruji proclaimed, “is not just a fleeting moment of amusement; it is a doorway to inner peace and well-being.”
A Spiritual Retreat
Raju eagerly asked the Guruji to explain ‘enlightenment’ in terms he could understand.
The Guruji, with a twinkle in his eye, responded, “Imagine enlightenment as the ultimate software upgrade for your mind. It’s like going from a glitchy, virus-ridden program full of pop-up ads about fear and desire, to running a super-efficient, ad-free version that operates in complete harmony with the universe.
And the best part? It’s completely free and requires no subscription!“
Raju, puzzled but intrigued, then asked, “And how do I download this upgrade, Guruji?”
The Guruji smiled and said, “Ah, my dear, the download button is in your heart, but remember, it’s a slow and steady connection that requires patience and no background apps running like ego or skepticism.”
The whole group erupted in laughter, appreciating the guruji’s witty analogy and the gentle reminder to unplug from life’s distractions to truly connect with oneself.
Laughter: A Universal Language, Loved by All!
Indeed, laughter has a profound impact on our inner world. When we laugh, our body releases a surge of feel-good chemicals such as endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin, which elevate our mood and promote a sense of happiness and contentment. As Raju delved deeper into the practice of laughter under Guruji’s guidance, he felt a newfound sense of lightness and joy permeating through his being.
But laughter is not merely a physiological response; it is a spiritual practice in its own right. In ancient yogic traditions, laughter was revered as a potent tool for cleansing the mind and purifying the soul. By engaging in laughter yoga and other playful exercises, practitioners like Raju could release pent-up emotions, dissolve mental barriers, and cultivate a deeper sense of connection with themselves and others.
“Why do we tell secrets in a comedy club?
“Because laughter is the best way to open up the lungs and the heart at the same time!”
The Anatomy of Laughter: Chemical Changes in the Body
Modern psychologists and internal medicine specialists alike have also recognized the therapeutic benefits of laughter. Numerous studies have demonstrated its ability to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, boost immune function, and even alleviate pain.
As Raju delved into the scientific literature on laughter therapy, he marveled at the wealth of evidence supporting its healing power.
The Laughter Physiology
Laughter has profound physiological effects – it changes body chemistry and brain function. Here’s is how:
- Laughter increases heart and respiratory rates as well as oxygen consumption over a short period. After these initial changes, a person moves into a state of relaxation. While these effects may not be the equivalent to aerobic exercise, as some claim, that is not to say it is entirely without benefit as a physical activity. 10-15 minutes of laughter per day may burn 10-40 extra calories.
- Laughter affects heart function favorably. It increases stroke volume and cardiac output, and it dilates blood vessels. It also helps rectify endothelial dysfunction, a primary pathology which leads to myriads of cardio vascular catastrophe.
- After intense laughter, muscles tone-up.
- Watching humorous videos revs up the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) without increase blood pressure.
- Laughter lowers levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.
- Laughter activates the mesolimbic dopaminergic reward system in the brain.
- Laughter increases serum immunoglobulins A and E. In most studies, it seems to increase natural killer cell activity as well.
- It raises levels of beta-endorphins (the feel-good chemicals of the body) and increases human growth hormone.
From Stress to Serenity: Laughter as a Path to Inner Well-Being
But perhaps the most profound impact of laughter lies in its ability to instill confidence and hope in the face of adversity. In the cutthroat world of corporate consulting, Raju had often found himself overwhelmed by the pressures of his job. Yet, as he embraced laughter as a daily practice, he discovered a newfound resilience and inner strength that enabled him to navigate the challenges with grace and humor.
One particularly memorable experience for Raju was when Guruji challenged him to deliver a presentation to a room full of skeptical clients while maintaining a straight face. Armed with his newfound confidence and the liberating power of laughter, Raju rose to the occasion, effortlessly weaving humor into his presentation and winning over the audience with his infectious charm.
Raju learns: Laughter Effects on Health Conditions
Guruji continued talking shop. Told Raju about how laughter and humor also have the following effects on specific illnesses:
- People who laugh more tend to have a lower risk of heart attacks compared to those who laugh less.
- A study in 2018 discovered that laughter therapy can help slow down heart-related issues in people with diabetes.
- Watching a comedy show lowered the increase in blood sugar levels after a meal.
- People who laugh more often have fewer cases of irregular heartbeats and repeat heart attacks during heart recovery programs.
- Laughter boosts the ability to tolerate pain.
- A clinical trial in 2015 found that laughter therapy helps boost self-esteem and mood in cancer patients.
- Watching a funny movie made it easier for people with asthma to breathe by reducing airway tightness.
- Laughter and clown performances helped decrease excessive air retention in the lungs of urban people with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Hospital clowns help lower stress and anxiety in children staying in hospitals and their parents.
- Humor therapy, such as watching a 20-minute comedy, improved learning ability, memory recall, and visual recognition in a study with 30 older adults.
- Stand-up comedy resulted in people with Parkinson’s disease feeling better about their symptoms.
- A study involving 30 individuals with schizophrenia showed that 10 hours of humor training improved rehabilitation results and their sense of humor, including a reduction in negative symptoms.
- Laughter reduced inflammation, indicated by lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
- Laughter and humor reduce skin swelling reactions due to IgE mediated allergy.
- Laughter also has the potential to significantly affect the quality of our work lives.
- Humor helps relieve tension, reassures people, and draws them together.
- Humor is likely to strengthen the bonds between patients and members of their care team.
- Humor even seems to increase peoples willingness to disclose, so it may help with obtaining good information during patient interviews.
- A study of laughter therapies effects on volunteer community care workers found that it reduced stress, anxiety, and depression.
- And who wants more?!
“Why did the skeleton go to the comedy club?“
“Because he heard laughter could improve bone density, but all he did was rattle!”
Yogic Wisdom: Exploring Laughter as a Spiritual Practice
As Raju reflected on his journey with Guruji Laughananda, he realized that laughter was not just a fleeting moment of amusement; it was a way of life. In a world filled with uncertainty and chaos, laughter served as a beacon of light, guiding him towards inner peace, joy, and fulfillment.
Try It Out: Laughter Yoga Rx. by Guruji
Guruji told Raju that you do not have to feel the urge to laugh in order to derive the benefits of laughter. Have the participant begin by pretending to laugh in various ways. Typically, real laughter comes somewhere during the experience.
Guruji taught a simple Laughter Yoga exercise is to laugh to a beat:-
- He asked Raju to say the words “Mumbai Delhi Chennai Mumbai Mumbai Mumbai Chennai”.
- Now asked him to laugh with the same cadence used to say those words: “Ma Ma Mo Mo Mee Mee Mee”.
- Repeat this ten times. Many people find that the exercises strike them as funny enough to actually induce laughter!
Raju Develops Checklist
Raju pays attention to how much humor and laughter is in his life.
- How many times do I have a good laugh? Is it pretty much enough?
- How often do I make others laugh? How often for my colleagues? Do I make family members and friends laugh?
- Who makes me laugh?
- Do I ever use dark humor to cope with stresses at work?
- Am I careful to laugh with colleagues, rather than at them?
- Do I ever get recommended more humor as part of any treatment plan from my doc?
- Do I think that laughter truly is the best medicine?
Reality dawns: “The laughter Rx.”
Guruji, with a twinkle in his mischievous eyes, told an incident to Raju:
I visited my doctor for a routine check-up. After a thorough examination and a look at his test results, the doctor says, "You're in terrific shape for your age." "For my age?" I replied, surprised. "I'm just 70. Do you think I'll hit 80?" The doctor leans in and asks, "Do you drink or smoke?" "Not a chance," says I. "How about indulging in fatty foods or sugar-loaded treats?" "Nope," I answered, proudly. "I watch and preach what I eat very carefully." "Any thrill-seeking activities? Skydiving, perhaps, or downhill skiing at breakneck speeds?" "Absolutely not! I've always been more of a 'stay safe' kind of kid." The doctor pauses for a beat, then asked me, "Then why on earth would you want to stick around till 80?"
Laughter is indeed the best medicine, offering a holistic remedy for the ailments of the mind, body, and soul. Through the transformative journey of Raju with Guruji Laughananda, we are reminded of the profound wisdom encapsulated in the simple act of laughter.
So let us embrace laughter wholeheartedly, for in its joyous embrace, we discover the true essence of life itself.
In conclusion, always remember:
If laughter is the best medicine, then
A chuckle is a cheeky chewable,
A giggle is a gentle gel cap, and
A roaring belly laugh is a full-strength, fast-acting syrup.
So next time life prescribes you a dose of gloom, don’t hesitate to laugh it off.
“After all, it’s the only medicine where overdose leads to an improved prognosis!“
In today’s rush, stress hugs us tight,
Yet laughter’s cure shines ever so bright.
A chuckle, a giggle, a roaring delight,
Heals the soul, makes the burden light.
So remember, in life’s complicated equation,
Laughter’s the best, a joyous revelation.