Looking over my entries, I see there's not much in terms of humor, a shame.
And shame on me.
I love the religious stories and myths that make me laugh, stories of poor old Coyote in Native American myth, like the story in which he falls asleep and then his anus eats his dinner. "I'll show you," Coyote says, and takes a burning stick to his anus (which is why that part of the body looks like that). But the story says more, says so much about the way we "cut off our nose to spite our face." The way we hurt ourselves through our vindictiveness, through our personal (and collective) stupidity.
I like the laughing Jesus because the Christian myths are so devoid of humor, and humor is such an excellent tool for understanding.
Last night, I met with a group of writers at a local coffee shop to talk about writing. There were five of us, four women, one man. All of us teachers, except one. We delved into some pretty serious topics, such as empathy and the writer's responsibility. But we also laughed.
It was revivifying.
D. H. Lawrence wrote:
Let us talk, let us laugh, let us tell
all kinds of things to one another;
men and women, let us be
gay and amusing together, and free
from airs and from false modesty.
12 comments:
Yes indeed we have become a society that takes itself MUCH too seriously. As a storyteller I enjoy eliciting laughter and joy from my listeners. One of my favorite Coyote stories is when wildcat tricks him into eating his own intestines, something Coyote had done to wildcat but insisted HE would never be caught in such an act. I also enjoy the Brer Rabbit/Uncle Remus tales... like the one in which Brer Rabbit is able to convince Brer Tiger that a "hurry-cane" is coming and to let Brer rabbit tie him to a tree. Then the entire forest came by to watch the lowly Brer Rabbit prancing in front of the mighty and powerful Brer Tiger... secured to the tree. Stories are much more than strings of words but embody the hopes and dreams and aspirations of a people, the dreams of the weak and downtrodden to someday overcome powerful oppressors.
Thanks for the thoughtful entry... and for dropping by my place. Come again, door's always open and I'll set another place at the table. Toodles.
http://journals.aol.com/madmanadhd/ConfessionsofaMadmanInsightsinto/entries/1086
Laughter is one of the most enriching things in my life, and I don't have anywhere near enough. It's one of the reasons why I put the junk quizzes in my journal. They're fluff, but they can get a giggle out of me, and who knows, a giggle can lead to a laugh. The Christian mythic cycle is so serious that people often overlook that Jesus was such a social creature. I've often thought that humor had to be in his repertoire because masses don't cling to parables alone. I do love the laughing Jesus you shared, and it's important for me to remember that image of Jesus, especially during Lent, the grimmest time of the liturgical calendar. The coyote myths are fun, aren't they. I've always enjoyed how the tricksters were used to teach lessons people couldn't learn any other way. Anyway, laugh deeply, Theresa, laugh often, laugh til your sides ache and you're not sure you can make it to the restroom. It's just good for you. (One of my favorite Bible verses is A merry heart is good medicine, and laughter is good for the soul.)
Oh laughter - I had clean forgot.
I love laughter. And I haven't been doing enough lately. How lovely to read about your delightful evening, my dear.
I remember spending the weekend with two old friends from high school last summer. They are very dear to me and we know each other so well that no posturing is ever possible. We laughed and laughed and laughed, all weekend. One of them had been in a very serious accident a few years ago that had left her brain-damaged at the time. I spent a week with her a few months after it. Part of the healing process was our laughter. It was glorious to laugh with a loved one who had almost died a scant few months earlier. (She is all better now - a miracle, says her neurologist).
Thank you for reminding us all of this, one of our greatest gifts.
Laugh long, Theresa, laugh loud, and laugh well.
Vicky
http://www.livejournal.com/users/vxv789/
Also, a modern myth of the Mayas-Kekchis of Belize tells how coyote was the first animal to discover corn. According to the legend, coyote was selfish and ate the corn in secret. The other animals found out that the coyote was eating the coveted cereal because of the smell of his farts. Maybe I will do a whole entry on this story one day!
Laughter is something I have to do lately. I have to find the funny and good things to overcome the bad stuff right now.
I really liked this entry and all the thoughtful comments. I didn't knoe "...laughter is the best medicine came from the Bible." Huh! I have smiling Jesus on my studio wall of comfort. Laughing Jesus is very cool.
Theresa,
Laughter is great. Many of the standard Christian myths are comedy. I'd highly recommend a book by William Whedbee: The Bible and the Comic Vision. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0800634861/ref=sib_rdr_dp/102-9489277-7844143
He even manages to interpret the opening chapters of Genesis, which most have seen as tragedy, as comedy. He has a really amazing way of viewing the scriptures, and you might come away with a little more humor than you thought was there.
Great post. I love the Coyote story.
dave
how important laughing is your so write its always a good reminder...thanks.
Hm, it's interesting that someone has taken a humourous look at the Bible because you're right; overall, Christian myth is generally pretty lacking in humour. Much prefer the Native American and Celtic myths myself. But I'm pagan, so maybe that colours it.
As for humour in writing. I agree, it's necessary, and not necessarily easy. And, it's not always necessarily respected because a lot of people look at it as lower, somehow. I didn't use to write anything really funny (or that I thought was funny), but lately I have been, or I'd write something with the intention of writing it and realized later is was funny. Shrug.
Glad you had that get together. Some of the best times with friends are just sitting and finding things to laugh about.
Too much of pain and suffering in the world. I like to see the humor more often than the tragedy.
Yes, humor is such an excellent tool for understanding. We all need more smiles and laughter in our lives.
Great journal... CREATIVE~
{{{ Hugs, [smiling] }}}
V
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