Being in the Present
It is very hard for many of us to be in the present. One of the reasons I think children laugh more than adults (300 to 15) is because they live in the present and find wonder in it. As adults we are thinking of the past, the future, and very little of the present. If you think of it the present is all we have. The present moment is never intolerable. It is always what happened five minutes ago, or five days ago, or what is coming five minutes from now, or five days from now that makes people despair.
The Law of Life is to live in the present, and this applies to both time and place. Keep your attention to the present moment, and in the place where your body is now.
A woman was visiting a great cathedral in Italy. Just inside the door was a magnificent mosaic extending the width of the building, but not yet completed. It represented the Last Judgment and the number of tiny pieces of different colored marble involved in it staggers the imagination. A man was on his knees working away and the women, who speak Italian, whispered to him, "What a stupendous task you have! I could not even dream of undertaking so much work."
The man replied quietly, "Oh, I know about how much I can do comfortably in one day. So each morning I mark out a certain area, and I don't bother my head thinking outside of that space. Before I know where I am the job will be complete."
If we stay in the present the journey and destination will be that much better.
BE IN THE PRESENT. As the saying goes, "The Past is History, and the Future is a Mystery, and the Present is a Gift."
Jana Ruth
Author of "Laugh and Live Happier: P.L.A.Y.S. for Life"
www.janaruth.biz
www.laughandlivehappier.com
www.laughingworld.blogspot.com
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
What Makes Me Laugh?
Disclaimer: This point of view does not necessarily represent the view of Jana Ruth, all the time, just today, Thursday, August 16, 2007.
Serious people make me laugh. And they are everywhere. Like being serious is going to help anyone. Where is it written that says being a adult has to be serious. Why? Since when is too much fun and playing, and laughing, bad for you? Never, is my answer.
As Victor Borge said, "Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." Laughter and humor are needed everywhere, especially at work. We, as adults, spend most of our lives at work, and we don't want to be looking at our watches and crying, "Oh no, I have only been here a minute."
We know from surveys that employees don't leave jobs they leave bosses, and workers are not fired because of lack of competence, they are fired because of lack of inability to get along with their co-workers. My guess is that these people, that employees leave, and are fired, are not the friendly, happy, having a good sense of humor people. My guess is that they are the REALLY serious people.
Humor and laughter in the workplace are important. They increase communications, build relationships, and reduce stress. Again, research shows that when people are having fun at work they are much more productive. Somehow serious and fun do not go along.
So what to do with all the serious people? I say laugh with them, and if that doesn't work, laugh at them. As, Bill Crosby, or someone like that, once said, "If you can laugh at them you can live with them." I don't want to live with them, just work with them. I say, "I have to laugh at you, or else I have to kill you." Maybe that's where the term, "Died laughing comes from?"
Jana Ruth
Author of Laugh and Live Happier: P.L.A.Y.S. for Life
www.janaruth.biz
www.laughandlivehappier.com
www.laughingworld.blogspot.com
Disclaimer: This point of view does not necessarily represent the view of Jana Ruth, all the time, just today, Thursday, August 16, 2007.
Serious people make me laugh. And they are everywhere. Like being serious is going to help anyone. Where is it written that says being a adult has to be serious. Why? Since when is too much fun and playing, and laughing, bad for you? Never, is my answer.
As Victor Borge said, "Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." Laughter and humor are needed everywhere, especially at work. We, as adults, spend most of our lives at work, and we don't want to be looking at our watches and crying, "Oh no, I have only been here a minute."
We know from surveys that employees don't leave jobs they leave bosses, and workers are not fired because of lack of competence, they are fired because of lack of inability to get along with their co-workers. My guess is that these people, that employees leave, and are fired, are not the friendly, happy, having a good sense of humor people. My guess is that they are the REALLY serious people.
Humor and laughter in the workplace are important. They increase communications, build relationships, and reduce stress. Again, research shows that when people are having fun at work they are much more productive. Somehow serious and fun do not go along.
So what to do with all the serious people? I say laugh with them, and if that doesn't work, laugh at them. As, Bill Crosby, or someone like that, once said, "If you can laugh at them you can live with them." I don't want to live with them, just work with them. I say, "I have to laugh at you, or else I have to kill you." Maybe that's where the term, "Died laughing comes from?"
Jana Ruth
Author of Laugh and Live Happier: P.L.A.Y.S. for Life
www.janaruth.biz
www.laughandlivehappier.com
www.laughingworld.blogspot.com
Friday, August 10, 2007
Women and Men Laugh at Different Things
In 1996, I am watching "The Nutty Professor," the Eddie Murphy version, with my 14 year old son. Morrie, my son, was laughing, and than laughing some more during the dinner table fart scene. He loved it. I, on the other hand, maybe laughed once or twice, and as the scene went on, I started to find the scene very crude. I thought it was just a matter of my son being 14, but when I explained the experience to my brother, age 42, he told me he loved that scene and the entire movie. That was when I really realized that women and men laugh at different things.
The September, issue of "Reader's Digest," Doug Colligan's article, "Why Men and Women Laugh Out Loud: The Secret to Tickling His or Her Funny Bone," confirms this.
"Stanford University psychiatrist Allen L. Reiss, MD, recruited 20
male and female college students. Inside an MRI, the men and
woman looked at 70 cartoons flashed on a small overhead screen
and rated them on a funniness scale. When the results came back,
Reiss made an unexpected discovery: Men and women process funny
differently. The analytical region of women's brains was more
active than the men's, suggesting women studied the cartoons
more. When they found the cartoon amusing, the reward region of
their brains lit up noticeably more than the guys.
All of which is a fancy way of saying women appear to think a little
more about whether they find something humorous. They don't
necessarily expect to laugh and so they enjoy it a lot more when
the joke works for them. With men, apparently it was more like.
Hey.... cartoon. Must be funny. Funny is good."
Regina Barreca, a professor of English literature at University of Connecticut, has been studying women and men and humor for years, and written the following books, among others: "Too Much of a Good Thing is Wonderful," "Women's Humor," Perfect Husbands (and other fairy tales) Demystifying Marriage, Men, and Romance, " New Perspective on Women and Comedy, " "Last Laughs," and "They Used to Call Me Snow White but I Drifted: Women's Strategic Use of Humor." Dr. Barreca suggests that "women bash men for having the sense of humor of a nine-year-old boy, but men strike back, accusing women of having no sense of humor at all. It's a misperception, Barreca says, based on three things. One is that women don't like crude. We don't do eye-poking, head-slamming humor. No woman has gone up to another women and said, 'Pull my finger.' Second, women don't tell jokes. They tell stories. When a woman says, 'I have something funny to tell you,' if you are smart, you'll sit down, because you're going to be there for a long, long time. Third, women don't enjoy humor that makes fun of others' physical shortcomings. If women laugh at anyone, it's at themselves and their quirks."
So, I guess that when it comes to humor, women just are more intelligent. I think that women might be more intelligent in every area.
Once when my son, Morrie, was about three he came into the room I was in, holding himself, and I asked if he needed to go the bathroom, and he said, "No, Mom, I am just thinking." And I got thinking, men must do lots of thinking, because they are constantly touching themselves or adjusting it. Just a thought.
Jana Ruth
Author of "Laugh and Live Happier: P.L.A.Y.S. for Life
http://www.janaruth.biz/
http://www.laughandlivehappier.com/
http://www.laughingworld.blogspot.com/
In 1996, I am watching "The Nutty Professor," the Eddie Murphy version, with my 14 year old son. Morrie, my son, was laughing, and than laughing some more during the dinner table fart scene. He loved it. I, on the other hand, maybe laughed once or twice, and as the scene went on, I started to find the scene very crude. I thought it was just a matter of my son being 14, but when I explained the experience to my brother, age 42, he told me he loved that scene and the entire movie. That was when I really realized that women and men laugh at different things.
The September, issue of "Reader's Digest," Doug Colligan's article, "Why Men and Women Laugh Out Loud: The Secret to Tickling His or Her Funny Bone," confirms this.
"Stanford University psychiatrist Allen L. Reiss, MD, recruited 20
male and female college students. Inside an MRI, the men and
woman looked at 70 cartoons flashed on a small overhead screen
and rated them on a funniness scale. When the results came back,
Reiss made an unexpected discovery: Men and women process funny
differently. The analytical region of women's brains was more
active than the men's, suggesting women studied the cartoons
more. When they found the cartoon amusing, the reward region of
their brains lit up noticeably more than the guys.
All of which is a fancy way of saying women appear to think a little
more about whether they find something humorous. They don't
necessarily expect to laugh and so they enjoy it a lot more when
the joke works for them. With men, apparently it was more like.
Hey.... cartoon. Must be funny. Funny is good."
Regina Barreca, a professor of English literature at University of Connecticut, has been studying women and men and humor for years, and written the following books, among others: "Too Much of a Good Thing is Wonderful," "Women's Humor," Perfect Husbands (and other fairy tales) Demystifying Marriage, Men, and Romance, " New Perspective on Women and Comedy, " "Last Laughs," and "They Used to Call Me Snow White but I Drifted: Women's Strategic Use of Humor." Dr. Barreca suggests that "women bash men for having the sense of humor of a nine-year-old boy, but men strike back, accusing women of having no sense of humor at all. It's a misperception, Barreca says, based on three things. One is that women don't like crude. We don't do eye-poking, head-slamming humor. No woman has gone up to another women and said, 'Pull my finger.' Second, women don't tell jokes. They tell stories. When a woman says, 'I have something funny to tell you,' if you are smart, you'll sit down, because you're going to be there for a long, long time. Third, women don't enjoy humor that makes fun of others' physical shortcomings. If women laugh at anyone, it's at themselves and their quirks."
So, I guess that when it comes to humor, women just are more intelligent. I think that women might be more intelligent in every area.
Once when my son, Morrie, was about three he came into the room I was in, holding himself, and I asked if he needed to go the bathroom, and he said, "No, Mom, I am just thinking." And I got thinking, men must do lots of thinking, because they are constantly touching themselves or adjusting it. Just a thought.
Jana Ruth
Author of "Laugh and Live Happier: P.L.A.Y.S. for Life
http://www.janaruth.biz/
http://www.laughandlivehappier.com/
http://www.laughingworld.blogspot.com/
Saturday, July 28, 2007
The Importance of Interpersonal Relationships
Daniel Goleman in his book, Social Intelligence, provides studies that support my beliefs that fun and laughter are important in the workplace. Working in an environment that allows for and encourages fun and laughter helps people feel secure. As Daniel Goleman notes in his book, "Secure bases are sources of protection, energy and comfort, allowing use to free our own energy. This is the conclusion of George Kohlrieser, a psychologist and professor of leadership at the International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland, who observes that having a secure base at work is crucial for high performance."
"Feeling secure, Kohlrieser argues, lets a person focus better on the work at hand, achieve goals, and see obstacles as challenges, not threats. Those who are anxious, in contrast, readily become preoccupied with the specter of failure, fearing that doing poorly will mean they will be rejected or abandoned (in this context, fired and so they play it safe."
"People who feel that their boss provides a secure base, Kohlrieser finds are more free to explore, be playful, take risks, innovate, and take on new challenges. Another business benefit: if leaders establish such trust and safety, then when they give tough feedback, the person receiving it not only stay more open but sees benefit in getting even hard-to-take information."
We effect each other more than we realize. My mood effects your mood and your mood effects my mood. As Daniel Goleman points out: "Even having just one person who can be counted on at work can make a telling difference in how we feel. In surveys of more than five million people working in close to five hundred organizations, one of the best predictors of how happy someone felt on their job was agreement with the statement. 'I have a best friend at work.'"
"As the head of a high-performing scientific team told me. 'I never hire anyone for my lab without them working with us provisionally for a while. Then I ask the other people in the lab their opinions, and I defer to them. If the interpersonal chemistry is not good, I don't want to risk hiring someone- no matter how good they may be otherwise."
Creating an environment in your home and at work of security, fun, and laughter is beneficial for everyone. We as human beings are much more connected than we ever thought before. When you say, "So and so much me sick." They probably do.
I highly recommend Daniel Coleman's book, Social Intelligence. It is a great read with very important information.
Jana Ruth
Author of Laugh and Live Happier: P.L.A.Y.S for Life
http://www.janaruth.biz/
http://www.laughandlivehappier.com/
http://www.laughingworld.blogstop.com/
Daniel Goleman in his book, Social Intelligence, provides studies that support my beliefs that fun and laughter are important in the workplace. Working in an environment that allows for and encourages fun and laughter helps people feel secure. As Daniel Goleman notes in his book, "Secure bases are sources of protection, energy and comfort, allowing use to free our own energy. This is the conclusion of George Kohlrieser, a psychologist and professor of leadership at the International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland, who observes that having a secure base at work is crucial for high performance."
"Feeling secure, Kohlrieser argues, lets a person focus better on the work at hand, achieve goals, and see obstacles as challenges, not threats. Those who are anxious, in contrast, readily become preoccupied with the specter of failure, fearing that doing poorly will mean they will be rejected or abandoned (in this context, fired and so they play it safe."
"People who feel that their boss provides a secure base, Kohlrieser finds are more free to explore, be playful, take risks, innovate, and take on new challenges. Another business benefit: if leaders establish such trust and safety, then when they give tough feedback, the person receiving it not only stay more open but sees benefit in getting even hard-to-take information."
We effect each other more than we realize. My mood effects your mood and your mood effects my mood. As Daniel Goleman points out: "Even having just one person who can be counted on at work can make a telling difference in how we feel. In surveys of more than five million people working in close to five hundred organizations, one of the best predictors of how happy someone felt on their job was agreement with the statement. 'I have a best friend at work.'"
"As the head of a high-performing scientific team told me. 'I never hire anyone for my lab without them working with us provisionally for a while. Then I ask the other people in the lab their opinions, and I defer to them. If the interpersonal chemistry is not good, I don't want to risk hiring someone- no matter how good they may be otherwise."
Creating an environment in your home and at work of security, fun, and laughter is beneficial for everyone. We as human beings are much more connected than we ever thought before. When you say, "So and so much me sick." They probably do.
I highly recommend Daniel Coleman's book, Social Intelligence. It is a great read with very important information.
Jana Ruth
Author of Laugh and Live Happier: P.L.A.Y.S for Life
http://www.janaruth.biz/
http://www.laughandlivehappier.com/
http://www.laughingworld.blogstop.com/
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Jana's Corner
Get Rid of the Buts and Butts in Your Life
I have decided that butts, or negative people, do not belong in my life. I don't want them. I don't need them. I refuse to let negative people in, or influence me. At times this is not a easy task. And sometimes, unfortunately, I am the butt.
This new found knowledge of my disliking butts, got me thinking about the other but. You know this one. This is the one we use in our language and in our writing. "She is a wonderful person, but...." "You did a great job, but..... " "I am so proud of you, but..." "I love you, but..."
This last example is the one that hurts the most, and unfortunately, I have heard it a few times. Anytime I hear a but, I know that everything the person said, or wrote , before the but, is nil and void.
The great replacement for but is and. "She is a wonderful person, and...." "You did a great job, and...." " I am so proud of you, and..." "I love you, and..." This and replacement comes from the world of Improvisational Theater where you are taught to add to whatever idea, your improvisational partner gives you. You are taught to contribute positively with an and instead of responding with a negative but.
Think about how much better our world would be if we all used and instead of but? Think about how much better the workplace would be if we all contributed to each others ideas, instead of saying "Tom, great idea, but let me tell you all the reasons why it won't work." Tom, after hearing this is not likely to contribute again. What if Tom heard, "Tom, great idea, and to add to that, what if we do this?"
I think that if we outlawed all the buts and butts from her homes, schools, and workplaces, we would all communicate more, and be much more productive. Let's add to each other lives, and quit being so negative. And what do you think?
Jana Ruth
Author of Laugh and Live Happier: P.L.A.Y.S. for Life
www.janaruth.biz
www.laughandlivehappier.com
www.laughingworld.blogspot.com
Get Rid of the Buts and Butts in Your Life
I have decided that butts, or negative people, do not belong in my life. I don't want them. I don't need them. I refuse to let negative people in, or influence me. At times this is not a easy task. And sometimes, unfortunately, I am the butt.
This new found knowledge of my disliking butts, got me thinking about the other but. You know this one. This is the one we use in our language and in our writing. "She is a wonderful person, but...." "You did a great job, but..... " "I am so proud of you, but..." "I love you, but..."
This last example is the one that hurts the most, and unfortunately, I have heard it a few times. Anytime I hear a but, I know that everything the person said, or wrote , before the but, is nil and void.
The great replacement for but is and. "She is a wonderful person, and...." "You did a great job, and...." " I am so proud of you, and..." "I love you, and..." This and replacement comes from the world of Improvisational Theater where you are taught to add to whatever idea, your improvisational partner gives you. You are taught to contribute positively with an and instead of responding with a negative but.
Think about how much better our world would be if we all used and instead of but? Think about how much better the workplace would be if we all contributed to each others ideas, instead of saying "Tom, great idea, but let me tell you all the reasons why it won't work." Tom, after hearing this is not likely to contribute again. What if Tom heard, "Tom, great idea, and to add to that, what if we do this?"
I think that if we outlawed all the buts and butts from her homes, schools, and workplaces, we would all communicate more, and be much more productive. Let's add to each other lives, and quit being so negative. And what do you think?
Jana Ruth
Author of Laugh and Live Happier: P.L.A.Y.S. for Life
www.janaruth.biz
www.laughandlivehappier.com
www.laughingworld.blogspot.com
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Laugh and Live Happier: P.L.A.Y.S. for LifeThe above image is so exciting to me. It is my first book. If you are interested in getting more information go to www.laughandlivehappier.com
I just got through reading a wonderful book called, You Can Learn to Be Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar, Ph.D.. According to the teacher of Harvard University's most popular and life-changing course you can learn to be happier. Dr. Ben-Shahar suggests that the way to do that is to balance your pleasure with your passion, in the present and the future.
Instead of asking, "Should I be happy now or in the future," ask, "How can I be happy now and in the future?' So often we think that we can't have both happiness now and happiness in the future. Dr. Ben-Shahar says it best.
Attaining lasting happiness requires that we enjoy the journey
on our way toward a destination we deem valuable. Happiness is
not about making it to the peak of the mountain nor is it about
climbing aimlessly around the mountain; happiness is the
experience of climbing toward the peak.
My strong belief is that we can discover our pleasure through play and laughter, and being in the present instead of living in the past, or worrying about the future. Coupled with pleasure is the need to discover our passion or purpose for life.
One of the best ways to discover our purpose is to do what Harold Whitman suggests, "Don't ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
One method to use to discover your passion is to write your obituary. Write out what you want to accomplish in your life and what you want people to say about you when you die. It helps you discover your mission, purpose, and and passion in life.
Laugh and Live Happier.
Jana
Thursday, July 05, 2007
It's All In the Meaning
My ex-husband Richard, who I affectionately called Dick, used to get very upset when I said the "F" word. Dick, didn't mind when I "f***ed" him, he just didn't want me to say it. He said it wasn't ladylike. As if I was ever a lady.
Anyway it got me thinking. Which is scary, although I am a legend in my own mind. It got me thinking. The "F" word is not bad or dirty by itself, it is the meaning we give it.
For instance let's suppose that the "F" word meant what the word church means and vica versa.
So you might ask your friend if "he was going to "F***" on Sunday." Or you might tell your sister that she "should go to hear the great preacher at "F***." Or a survey would find that 40% of the American population goes to "F***" every Sunday.
The opposite would also be interesting. If you were really angry at someone you would say, "Well church you." Or, "I churched her brains out last night." Kids would get into big problem if they used the "C" word but saying f*** would be considered okay and very good if you went to f*** on Sunday.
It really isn't the word, it is the meaning that gets us into trouble.
So if you don't like it, well CHURCH YOU!
And so as the little boy answered when asked what part of him was hurt when he fell on the slippery floor, "The End."
My ex-husband Richard, who I affectionately called Dick, used to get very upset when I said the "F" word. Dick, didn't mind when I "f***ed" him, he just didn't want me to say it. He said it wasn't ladylike. As if I was ever a lady.
Anyway it got me thinking. Which is scary, although I am a legend in my own mind. It got me thinking. The "F" word is not bad or dirty by itself, it is the meaning we give it.
For instance let's suppose that the "F" word meant what the word church means and vica versa.
So you might ask your friend if "he was going to "F***" on Sunday." Or you might tell your sister that she "should go to hear the great preacher at "F***." Or a survey would find that 40% of the American population goes to "F***" every Sunday.
The opposite would also be interesting. If you were really angry at someone you would say, "Well church you." Or, "I churched her brains out last night." Kids would get into big problem if they used the "C" word but saying f*** would be considered okay and very good if you went to f*** on Sunday.
It really isn't the word, it is the meaning that gets us into trouble.
So if you don't like it, well CHURCH YOU!
And so as the little boy answered when asked what part of him was hurt when he fell on the slippery floor, "The End."
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Play with These Ideas
1. Change your attitude towards work, and life and if you can't change your attitude, change your job and or life.
2. Put more "Plerk" (perks of fun and laughter at work) into your work.
3. Spend at least one day a year without any plan, watch, or cell phone, and just play all day.
4. Be in the present moment as much as possible. We only have this moment and no other.
5. Play with your children, or grandchildren, they can teach you how to play.
6. Look for play and it will find you.
7. Practice playing. The more you play the better you get at it and the more you do it.
Jana Ruth
Author of Laugh and Live Happier: P.L.A.Y.S for Life
www.janaruth.biz
www.laughingworld.blogspot.com
1. Change your attitude towards work, and life and if you can't change your attitude, change your job and or life.
2. Put more "Plerk" (perks of fun and laughter at work) into your work.
3. Spend at least one day a year without any plan, watch, or cell phone, and just play all day.
4. Be in the present moment as much as possible. We only have this moment and no other.
5. Play with your children, or grandchildren, they can teach you how to play.
6. Look for play and it will find you.
7. Practice playing. The more you play the better you get at it and the more you do it.
Jana Ruth
Author of Laugh and Live Happier: P.L.A.Y.S for Life
www.janaruth.biz
www.laughingworld.blogspot.com
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Just Smile
But Jana, because that's my name. I have no reason to smile. The wonderful thing about your body is that it is stupid and it doesn't know the difference between a real and fake smile. When you smile Kimberly Read in an article called, "What's in a Smile," points out the following:
"In psychology, there is a theory entitled the "facial feedback hypothesis." This hypothesis states, "Involuntary facial movements provide sufficient peripheral information to drive emotional experience. " In other words, you may actually be able to improve your mood by simply smiling.
I challenge you to walk around all day smiling and I promise that you will actually start feeling better. Your body will notice the smile on your face, and automatically you will feel better. If anyone asks you why are you smiling just reply, "I smile because I don't know what the hell is going on around here."
Join me in a smile revolution and image what a better and happier world there would be.
Jana Ruth http://www.janaruth.biz/
http://www.laughingworld.blogspot/
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Ways of Bringing Laughter into the Workplace
- Have a "Thanks in Advance" party for an employee on the day he/she joins the organization.
- Celebrate employees birthdays.
- Put together a "stress support kit" that can be handed out (or requested) by an employee under pressure or stress. Contents could include comedy CD's or DVD's, books, candy, chewing gum, a small dartboard, worry beads, etc.
- Put up a "humor board" in the office where people can pin up cartoons, jokes, etc.
- Have a weekly or monthly humor contest where people for $1 or $2, can submit a joke or cartoon, and everyone in contest votes on them and the winner gets the money.
- From the humor contest keep a "Humor Book" where all the jokes and cartoons can be kept.
- Have an actual "Stress Relief Station," which can be a room or corner at work where the employee can to listen to comedy CD's, or read funny books, paint, draw, play with clay, or just come to laugh.
- Encourage each other to establish or take a "Call in Well day," where people can take time to seriously enjoy themselves.
Jana Ruth author of http://www.janaruth.biz/
http://laughingworld.blogspot.com
Author of "Laugh and Live Happier: P.L.A.Y.S. for Life
Thursday, June 07, 2007
What Makes Me Laugh?
People make me laugh.
I make myself laugh.
Children make me laugh.
Dogs make me laugh.
Laughter makes me laugh.
Stupid thinking makes me laugh.
No thinking makes me laugh
People who think they are always right make me laugh.
President Bush makes me laugh and than cry.
Crying makes me laugh.
Taking myself too seriously makes me laugh.
Playing makes me laugh.
Being silly makes me laugh.
I love to laugh.
What about you? What makes you laugh?
Jana Ruth
Author of Laugh and Live Happier: P.L.A.Y.S. for Life
www.janaruth.biz
Sunday, May 27, 2007
This story is so wonderful that I want to share.
A Love Story
"When the power of loveovercomes the love of power,the world will know peace."—Jimi Hendrix
There's an old story about a group of monks living with their master in a Tibetan monastery. Their lives were disciplined and dedicated, and the atmosphere in which they lived harmonious and peaceful. People from villages far and wide flocked to the monastery to bask in the warmth of such a loving spiritual environment.
Then one day the master departed his earthly form. At first the monks continued on as they had in the past, but after a time, the discipline and devotion that had been hallmarks of their daily routine slackened. The number of villagers coming through the doors each day began to drop, and little by little, the monastery fell into a state of disrepair.
Soon the monks were bickering among themselves, some pointing fingers of blame, others filled with guilt. The energy within the monastery walls crackled with animosity.
Finally, the senior monk could take it no longer. Hearing that a spiritual master lived as a hermit two days walk away, the monk wasted no time in seeking him out. Finding the master in his forest hermitage, the monk told him of the sad state the monastery had fallen into and asked his advice.
The master smiled. "There is one living among you who is the incarnation of God. Because he is being disrespected by those around him, he will not show himself, and the monastery will remain in disrepair." With those words spoken, the master fell silent and would say no more.
All the way back to the monastery, the monk wondered which of his brothers might be the Incarnated One. "Perhaps it is Brother Jaspar who does our cooking," the monk said aloud. But then a second later thought, "No, it can't be him. He is sloppy and ill tempered and the food he prepares is tasteless."
"Perhaps our gardener, Brother Timor, is the one," he then thought. This consideration, too, was quickly followed by denial. "Of course not" he said aloud. "God is not lazy and would never let weeds take over a lettuce patch the way Brother Timor has."
Finally, after dismissing each and every one of his brothers for this fault or that, the senior monk realized there were none left. Knowing it had to be one of the monks because the master had said it was, he worried over it a bit before a new thought dawned. "Could it be that the Holy One has chosen to display a fault in order to disguise himself?" he wondered. "Of course it could! That must be it!"
Reaching the monastery, he immediately told his brothers what the master had said and all were just as astonished as he had been to learn the Divine was living among them.
Since each knew it was not himself who was God Incarnate, each began to study his brothers carefully, all trying to determine who among them was the Holy One. But all any of them could see were the faults and failings of the others. If God was in their midst, he was doing a fine job of hiding himself. Finding the Incarnated One among such rubble would be difficult, indeed.
After much discussion, it was finally decided that they would all make an effort to be kind and loving toward each another, treating all with the respect and honor one would naturally give to the Incarnated One. If God insisted on remaining hidden, then they had no recourse but to treat each monk as if he were the Holy One.
Each so concentrated on seeing God in the other that soon their hearts filled with such love for one another the chains of negativity that held them bound fell away. As time passed, they began seeing God not just in each other, but in every one and everything. Days were spent in joyful reverence, rejoicing in His Holy Presence. The monastery radiated this joy like a beacon and soon the villagers returned, streaming through the doors as they had before, seeking to be touched by the love and devotion present there.
It was some time later that the senior monk decided to pay the master another visit to thank him for the secret he had revealed.
"Did you discover the identity of the Incarnated One?" the master asked. "We did," the senior monk replied. "We found him residing in all of us." The master smiled.
A Love Story
"When the power of loveovercomes the love of power,the world will know peace."—Jimi Hendrix
There's an old story about a group of monks living with their master in a Tibetan monastery. Their lives were disciplined and dedicated, and the atmosphere in which they lived harmonious and peaceful. People from villages far and wide flocked to the monastery to bask in the warmth of such a loving spiritual environment.
Then one day the master departed his earthly form. At first the monks continued on as they had in the past, but after a time, the discipline and devotion that had been hallmarks of their daily routine slackened. The number of villagers coming through the doors each day began to drop, and little by little, the monastery fell into a state of disrepair.
Soon the monks were bickering among themselves, some pointing fingers of blame, others filled with guilt. The energy within the monastery walls crackled with animosity.
Finally, the senior monk could take it no longer. Hearing that a spiritual master lived as a hermit two days walk away, the monk wasted no time in seeking him out. Finding the master in his forest hermitage, the monk told him of the sad state the monastery had fallen into and asked his advice.
The master smiled. "There is one living among you who is the incarnation of God. Because he is being disrespected by those around him, he will not show himself, and the monastery will remain in disrepair." With those words spoken, the master fell silent and would say no more.
All the way back to the monastery, the monk wondered which of his brothers might be the Incarnated One. "Perhaps it is Brother Jaspar who does our cooking," the monk said aloud. But then a second later thought, "No, it can't be him. He is sloppy and ill tempered and the food he prepares is tasteless."
"Perhaps our gardener, Brother Timor, is the one," he then thought. This consideration, too, was quickly followed by denial. "Of course not" he said aloud. "God is not lazy and would never let weeds take over a lettuce patch the way Brother Timor has."
Finally, after dismissing each and every one of his brothers for this fault or that, the senior monk realized there were none left. Knowing it had to be one of the monks because the master had said it was, he worried over it a bit before a new thought dawned. "Could it be that the Holy One has chosen to display a fault in order to disguise himself?" he wondered. "Of course it could! That must be it!"
Reaching the monastery, he immediately told his brothers what the master had said and all were just as astonished as he had been to learn the Divine was living among them.
Since each knew it was not himself who was God Incarnate, each began to study his brothers carefully, all trying to determine who among them was the Holy One. But all any of them could see were the faults and failings of the others. If God was in their midst, he was doing a fine job of hiding himself. Finding the Incarnated One among such rubble would be difficult, indeed.
After much discussion, it was finally decided that they would all make an effort to be kind and loving toward each another, treating all with the respect and honor one would naturally give to the Incarnated One. If God insisted on remaining hidden, then they had no recourse but to treat each monk as if he were the Holy One.
Each so concentrated on seeing God in the other that soon their hearts filled with such love for one another the chains of negativity that held them bound fell away. As time passed, they began seeing God not just in each other, but in every one and everything. Days were spent in joyful reverence, rejoicing in His Holy Presence. The monastery radiated this joy like a beacon and soon the villagers returned, streaming through the doors as they had before, seeking to be touched by the love and devotion present there.
It was some time later that the senior monk decided to pay the master another visit to thank him for the secret he had revealed.
"Did you discover the identity of the Incarnated One?" the master asked. "We did," the senior monk replied. "We found him residing in all of us." The master smiled.
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