The Buddha described seven faculties of mind that, when brought to a sufficient degree of maturity, lead one to an experience of unconditioned freedom. These faculties are referred to as the Seven Factors of Enlightenment: Concentration, Tranquility, Equanimity, Investigation, Energy, Rapture and Mindfulness. We’ll look at these more in coming weeks. But…
As sacrilegious as this may sound, I believe he forgot one: humor.
Without the ability to self-deprecate, to hold one’s earnestness with levity, to find amusement in the humiliating paradoxes of spiritual practice, we all run the risk of becoming sanctimoniously solipsistic (yes, OF COURSE, I know how ridiculous that alliteration sounds), and if not that, we might just become WAY TOO SERIOUS. And trust me, I’ve been down the Earnest Highway. Not only is it a dead-end, but it’s a rather insufferable situation for those remaining souls around us.
Over the years, I’ve come across a few articles and videos that perfectly lance the spiritual boil of chronic seriousness.
I hope these offerings deepen your naso-labial grooves, and if they don’t, seek medical attention immediately, for nothing will! :)
1. Some thoughtful reflections on How To Tell if You’re a Yoga A-hole!
2. Why I no longer ‘ommm’ in class, EVER!
3. And… The Sickest Buddhist.
Lastly, if you’re in Boston, suffering from Situational Hypertensive Intensive Disorder (SHID), come by and soothe your nerves with Yin at 5:45pm, Samara Yoga Studio, before the Celtics take care of the Knicks in Game 3!!
Just havin’ a laugh!
Originally published on April 22, 2011
