Tag: Osho

The Hidden Genius Behind Laughing Yoga

When I first heard about laughing yoga, a practice where you deliberately laugh or even laugh silently within, it struck me as absurd. I dismissed it as theatrical, maybe even frivolous. Then I learned that OSHO had introduced it, and my skepticism deepened. What could possibly be the purpose of such a practice?

I come from a stand-up comedy background, having worked as a comedian for 12 years, 10 of those before I began meditating. One thing I know about laughter is that when someone hears a joke and laughs at the punchline, they must momentarily surrender a part of themselves. The ego’s protective shell, the facet of self concerned with judgment, insecurity, shame, and embarrassment, drops away in that instant. To truly laugh, one has to release these defences and embrace the moment without resistance.

This same mechanism operates on a far greater scale during a spiritual awakening. When the “cosmic joke” lands, it demands the complete surrender of all defences, along with the entire sense of self. The one who hears the punchline is the same one telling it, and in the moment of hysterical laughter, the separation between “comedian” and “audience” dissolves entirely. Sometimes, that laughter is so overwhelming it flows with unstoppable tears of joy, as if the heart itself is laughing through the eyes.

It’s in that context that OSHO’s laughing yoga makes profound sense. Perhaps it was never just about forcing a laugh, but about training the body and mind to tolerate joy without flinching, to let go of identity without panic. By practicing laughter, you prepare the psyche for the day it encounters the greatest punchline ever told.

Morgan O. Smith

Get Your Free Copy of My Book, Bodhi in the Brain!

https://subscribepage.io/oTSZQu

The Unforeseen Impact of a Brief Encounter

My Journey to Spiritual Awakening

Introduction: It was a chance meeting in 2006 that altered the course of my life. At an event where I was the emcee, I crossed paths with a young black man named Sanander Aniiuwah, who, to me, embodied the essence of an enlightened being. He stood at average height, his appearance marked by dreadlocks and a possible beard, draped in an off-white robe, reminiscent of a Jesus-like figure, wandering in sandals—or in my recollection, often barefoot, even in the chill of winter. The presence of attractive women by his side only heightened my curiosity about him.

Sanander’s Aura and Philosophy: Sanander was not just an ordinary man; he was a local vendor who used his booth at special events as a platform to engage in deep conversations about Eastern philosophical concepts, such as spiritual enlightenment. Despite having practiced meditation for three years by then, his ideas were beyond my grasp. But one late Saturday afternoon at a black cultural youth event, Sanander introduced me to the teachings of Osho, an unfamiliar name to me at that time. He read a quote that struck me profoundly: “God never created the universe, because the universe is still being created.” This statement resonated with me, sending me on a quest to explore Osho’s works and the broader concept of spiritual enlightenment.

My Path to Understanding: In 2008, everything changed. I experienced what I now understand as a spiritual awakening, finally grasping the ideas that Sanander and Osho had been trying to convey. It was a moment of profound clarity, where concepts like nonduality and the nature of awakening, once foreign and elusive, became clear and meaningful.

Conclusion: Gratitude for a Life-Changing Encounter: Reflecting on that brief interaction with Sanander, I am filled with gratitude. His words, seemingly cryptic at the time, were seeds planted in the fertile soil of my curiosity. They grew over time, leading me to a deeper understanding of spirituality and my path to enlightenment. It was a perfect alignment of time and place that allowed me to receive and eventually comprehend these life-altering teachings.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith