HUMOR: Happiness Is A Warm Gub!
Anyone who knows me, or who has read a couple of posts on this blog, knows that my life is a complete mix of spirituality and humor. I don't think one can exist without the other. What I mean to say is that I believe laughter is one of the greatest gifts we, as humans, have been given. And I use this gift often.
Maybe some of you are wondering why I published pictures of my X-rays on the blog. I had an incredible meditation the other night where I envisioned my spine and everything I've been through these past several months. It was the first time that it occurred to me--Wow! I had my neck reconstructed! It truly was an important part in my recovery to realize the scope and breadth of what I've been through; I tend to be hard on myself when I feel run down.
My neuro-surgeon always praises me for keeping my spirits so high. That got me to thinking: Hhmm...being run down--how do I ('me' personally) get myself back "UP"? I began to just sit and think about the things in my life that bring me joy and keep my spirits up. I thought I would share some of them with you:
I'VE GOT TO HAVE HUMOR!
Woody Allen
When I feel run down, I tend to call Cousin Chrissy. She's one of the funniest people I have ever met. We just riff off of each other. We've always contended that we should have a talk show, but decided that no one would find us entertaining besides ourselves. We recently (well, a year ago) discovered that we both LOVE the movie Take The Money And Run, by Woody Allen. Have you seen it? We love the part where 'Virgil' robs a bank but spells the word GUN wrong on the note he hands to the teller:
"That looks like 'gub'--it doesn't look like 'gun.'"--Bank Teller reading Virgil's holdup note.
I love the part where he's playing the cello in a marching band and every couple of notes he has to stand up, pick up his chair and cello, and move forward several steps in order to keep up with the rest of the band! I would highly recommend this movie--might be a little slow at times--but some of the gags are just too hysterical to miss!
CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT MY MUSIC!
Chet Baker
I can't live without music. I got my first drum set at age 5 (which my brothers trashed, as brothers will do), and my first guitar at age 7. As you already know, my favorite modern musician is Frank Zappa. I also listen to a slew of devotional music, mainly performed by Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, Jai Uttal, Krishna Das, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. (Right now, I'm listening to Jeff Buckley--who was a student of Nusrat's, by the way.)
I have a select few artists that I've been in the mood to listen to lately (I've spent the last 3 1/2 years listening to mostly devotional Indian--bindi not feather, Zombie Slayer!!--music). I love listening to Chet Baker. His voice just soothes me, as well as his melodic trumpet. Unfortunately, I haven't been in the mood to listen to my other jazz faves: Thelonious Monk and Charles Mingus.
The Crystal Method
I was in the hospital for three days before I had my fusion, and, believe it or not, the only thing I listened to was Community Service by The Crystal Method. What an incredible duo these guys are. The most amazing beats and hooks in the world. Thank God I can still listen to them. Did you ever have a favorite album that you listened to during a trying time and then couldn't listen to that album anymore because it reminded you too much of the pain? Not so with The Crystal Method--I love all of their albums. Unfortunately, I listened to Jai Uttal's KIRTAN album during my three days in the hospital after the surgery, and can't bear to listen to it now. But, I recommend that CD for anyone who wants to soar! (To the heavens, that is!) KIRTAN, as well as a chanting CD with Gurumayi, helped me weather the pain and fear of being in the Neurology ICU (without a phone!) for those three days. Thank you Jai!
BOOKS, BOOKS, AND MORE BOOKS
Ramana Maharshi
I love to learn, therefore, I love to read. I'm currently reading many books. Before turning my light off at night, I tend to reach for TALKS WITH RAMANA MAHARSHI. This book details the simplicity of God-realization through a series of questions and answers with this revered saint. I wake up in the morning and read the daily passage from RESONATE WITH STILLNESS from the words of Swami Muktananda and Swami Chidvilasananda.
Paramahansa Yoganandaji: the first Eastern Guru invited to the White House! (Around the 1920's)
Did you ever read a book where every single passage just sets your heart afire? No matter what religious or spiritual background you hold dear, I believe every human being should read AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI, by the sweet, loving, and gentle Paramahansa Yogananda. I can't even put into words the amount of love that his books generate. (Not only is he a great Hindu saint, he's also a great Christian Scholar.) I also read a lot of Eastern Philosophy: Hinduism, Advaita Vedanta, Kashmir Shaivism; as well as Christian, Buddhist, and Taoist texts.
I just finished reading FREAKONOMICS, which was a fun read. If you enjoyed Malcom Gladwell's BLINK, you'll like Freakonomics (although I must admit that I thought Blink was far superior). I just bought Maureen Dowd's ARE MEN NECESSARY?; When Sexes Collide. Don't get all bent out of shape guys, the title is a play on James Thurber's funny diatribe: IS SEX NECESSARY? Dowd is an Op-Ed writer for the Time's and I thought it would be an interesting read. I tend to go for the non-fictional over fictional. With one exception:
Leo Tolstoy, circa 1849
I'm still working my way through Tolstoy's WAR AND PEACE, which I LOVE! I started it last January and was giving myself a year to finish it (reading it intermittently, of course). I'm on page 1,000, with 400 to go. Don't think I'm gonna reach my goal. But hey, life happens.
MEDITATION, REFLECTION, PRAYERS
The basis of my true happiness comes from my meditation pratice and my trust and faith in my Self, God within and without. Nothing I have listed above would mean anything without my faith. A great Indian saint, Bhagawan Nityananda says that 'The Heart is the hub of all places; go there and roam." Meditation is a terrific way to anchor yourself in the Heart.
I am also a very grateful person: grateful for my family, my friends, my teachers, and the fact that I've been blessed with such a spiritual life, and a thirst for the Truth.
Thank you for being a part of my journey.
Love and Blessings,
Bhakti
Photos for this post were downloaded from:
http://www.poegilly.com/
http://www.norcalmovies.com/
http://www.yogananda-srf.org
http://www.ramana-maharshi.org.uk
http://www.thedjlist.com/
http://www.dancewithshadows.com/
tags: movies,humor,spirituality
Maybe some of you are wondering why I published pictures of my X-rays on the blog. I had an incredible meditation the other night where I envisioned my spine and everything I've been through these past several months. It was the first time that it occurred to me--Wow! I had my neck reconstructed! It truly was an important part in my recovery to realize the scope and breadth of what I've been through; I tend to be hard on myself when I feel run down.
My neuro-surgeon always praises me for keeping my spirits so high. That got me to thinking: Hhmm...being run down--how do I ('me' personally) get myself back "UP"? I began to just sit and think about the things in my life that bring me joy and keep my spirits up. I thought I would share some of them with you:
I'VE GOT TO HAVE HUMOR!
Woody AllenWhen I feel run down, I tend to call Cousin Chrissy. She's one of the funniest people I have ever met. We just riff off of each other. We've always contended that we should have a talk show, but decided that no one would find us entertaining besides ourselves. We recently (well, a year ago) discovered that we both LOVE the movie Take The Money And Run, by Woody Allen. Have you seen it? We love the part where 'Virgil' robs a bank but spells the word GUN wrong on the note he hands to the teller:
"That looks like 'gub'--it doesn't look like 'gun.'"--Bank Teller reading Virgil's holdup note.
I love the part where he's playing the cello in a marching band and every couple of notes he has to stand up, pick up his chair and cello, and move forward several steps in order to keep up with the rest of the band! I would highly recommend this movie--might be a little slow at times--but some of the gags are just too hysterical to miss!
CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT MY MUSIC!
Chet BakerI can't live without music. I got my first drum set at age 5 (which my brothers trashed, as brothers will do), and my first guitar at age 7. As you already know, my favorite modern musician is Frank Zappa. I also listen to a slew of devotional music, mainly performed by Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, Jai Uttal, Krishna Das, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. (Right now, I'm listening to Jeff Buckley--who was a student of Nusrat's, by the way.)
I have a select few artists that I've been in the mood to listen to lately (I've spent the last 3 1/2 years listening to mostly devotional Indian--bindi not feather, Zombie Slayer!!--music). I love listening to Chet Baker. His voice just soothes me, as well as his melodic trumpet. Unfortunately, I haven't been in the mood to listen to my other jazz faves: Thelonious Monk and Charles Mingus.
The Crystal MethodI was in the hospital for three days before I had my fusion, and, believe it or not, the only thing I listened to was Community Service by The Crystal Method. What an incredible duo these guys are. The most amazing beats and hooks in the world. Thank God I can still listen to them. Did you ever have a favorite album that you listened to during a trying time and then couldn't listen to that album anymore because it reminded you too much of the pain? Not so with The Crystal Method--I love all of their albums. Unfortunately, I listened to Jai Uttal's KIRTAN album during my three days in the hospital after the surgery, and can't bear to listen to it now. But, I recommend that CD for anyone who wants to soar! (To the heavens, that is!) KIRTAN, as well as a chanting CD with Gurumayi, helped me weather the pain and fear of being in the Neurology ICU (without a phone!) for those three days. Thank you Jai!
BOOKS, BOOKS, AND MORE BOOKS
Ramana MaharshiI love to learn, therefore, I love to read. I'm currently reading many books. Before turning my light off at night, I tend to reach for TALKS WITH RAMANA MAHARSHI. This book details the simplicity of God-realization through a series of questions and answers with this revered saint. I wake up in the morning and read the daily passage from RESONATE WITH STILLNESS from the words of Swami Muktananda and Swami Chidvilasananda.
Paramahansa Yoganandaji: the first Eastern Guru invited to the White House! (Around the 1920's)Did you ever read a book where every single passage just sets your heart afire? No matter what religious or spiritual background you hold dear, I believe every human being should read AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI, by the sweet, loving, and gentle Paramahansa Yogananda. I can't even put into words the amount of love that his books generate. (Not only is he a great Hindu saint, he's also a great Christian Scholar.) I also read a lot of Eastern Philosophy: Hinduism, Advaita Vedanta, Kashmir Shaivism; as well as Christian, Buddhist, and Taoist texts.
I just finished reading FREAKONOMICS, which was a fun read. If you enjoyed Malcom Gladwell's BLINK, you'll like Freakonomics (although I must admit that I thought Blink was far superior). I just bought Maureen Dowd's ARE MEN NECESSARY?; When Sexes Collide. Don't get all bent out of shape guys, the title is a play on James Thurber's funny diatribe: IS SEX NECESSARY? Dowd is an Op-Ed writer for the Time's and I thought it would be an interesting read. I tend to go for the non-fictional over fictional. With one exception:
Leo Tolstoy, circa 1849I'm still working my way through Tolstoy's WAR AND PEACE, which I LOVE! I started it last January and was giving myself a year to finish it (reading it intermittently, of course). I'm on page 1,000, with 400 to go. Don't think I'm gonna reach my goal. But hey, life happens.
MEDITATION, REFLECTION, PRAYERS
The basis of my true happiness comes from my meditation pratice and my trust and faith in my Self, God within and without. Nothing I have listed above would mean anything without my faith. A great Indian saint, Bhagawan Nityananda says that 'The Heart is the hub of all places; go there and roam." Meditation is a terrific way to anchor yourself in the Heart.
I am also a very grateful person: grateful for my family, my friends, my teachers, and the fact that I've been blessed with such a spiritual life, and a thirst for the Truth.
Thank you for being a part of my journey.
Love and Blessings,
Bhakti
Photos for this post were downloaded from:
http://www.poegilly.com/
http://www.norcalmovies.com/
http://www.yogananda-srf.org
http://www.ramana-maharshi.org.uk
http://www.thedjlist.com/
http://www.dancewithshadows.com/
tags: movies,humor,spirituality
posted by Unknown at 2:50 PM
22 Comments:
Then, another lady at the bank says, The note clearly says "gun", but what is apt?? Apt natural??
I love that movie!!
Yes, yes...the bank teller hands the note to the bank manager and they start discussing the typos of the letter.
by the way--you really should sign your name!! -CC
I think those pictures of your neck are very cool. Life hasn't been the same for me since I lost my X-ray glasses :)
I too love "Take the Money and Run".
Virgil Starkwell, voted the World's least dangerous criminal.
"Zellig" is another of my favorites.
Mark's list of top 10 funniest movies (in no particular order)
1. Harold and Maude ("An accurate count would be difficult to gauge.")
2. Silent Movie ("No", said by Marcel Marceau)
3. Animal House ("Mind if we dance wid yo dates?")
4. Dazed and Confused (no quote comes to mind).
5. An American Werewolf in London (okay this is as scary as it is funny, but still makes the list.)
6. All of Allen's early works, Bananas, Take the Money and Run,
7. Young Frankenstein ("Fire is our friend.")
8. Monty Python's Holy Grail ("Come see the violence inherent in the system. Help I'm being repressed.")
9. Kentucky Fried Movie (just for it's parody of "Enter the Dragon").
10. Napoleon Dynamite ("Pedro offers you his protection."
FLATLANDER: Yes, people keep saying I have implants...how let-down they must feel when they put the X-ray glasses on and realize the said implants are titanium and not silicone.
ERIC: 'Glad you like the blog--don't be a stranger! :)
MARK: Hmmm...if you like Harold and Maude (which I haven't seen for at least 15 years, then you will most definitely love "Wilbur Keeps Trying To Kill Himself". It's a little more poignant than H&M, but I sense you would enjoy it. I loved it!
Thanks for sharing your list: I, too, love Woody's early works. I kinda like his latest stuff, too. Especially the one where he plays a movie director that goes blind, but he doesn't let anyone know. 'Can't remember the name.
I still have a hard time being a 'fan' since he married his step-daughter. That still doesn't sit too well with me. I'm not judging--it just literally creeps me out.
I just realized something: What about AIRPLANE? Why didn't that make the list? That's just classic silliness! "Roger Roger!
"Surely, you cant mean that"
"Yes, I do...and dont call me Shirley"
Hmmm....well the answer would probably be something along the lines of "That's the problem with making lists."
BTW, "I like my coffee...." (the rest is censored, because this seems to be a family oriented blog).
And perhaps there is a lesson here. In that the problem with making lists is intricately linked with the problems inherent in creating duality where there is none.
Or some such nonsense.
Here's a challenge. When posting a comment, try to see if you can make a phrase out of the nonsense word that you type in as part of word verification.
Mine is "omhpq", could stand for
"Oh my, his people quit."
wlcfslm
Whenever Louis Calls Fred, Someone Leaks Messages
Like that??
soshoy
Some Odd Salamander Helps Order Yams
NAFVIWS
Now And Forever, Vice Is What Sells
Howdy! Just wanted to stop & say Hi. As I keep bumping into you around the blogesphere. You sound like a super nice person. I like your attitude.
L>T: Thank you so much for stopping by! Yes, I've run into you so many times at the Robot Depot (I love Gyrobo--he's so cool!).
I was thinking of visiting your blog, too, then I was crushed with the information that Fakiegrind was closing shop (at least Flatlander) So I spent a lot of time trying to persuade him to stay afloat.
Now my eyes are bleeding from too much bloggin...so I'll see you tomorrow!
Thanks again for visiting! :)
My wife hates Woody Allen. It's too bad because I really like him. We had a Woody Allen film class once and I used to sit in for it, so I've seen most of his works (pre-1990), but haven't seen that one.
As for Crystal Method, I actually like them. Never read War and Peace though.
11 21 05
Hello Bhakti:
Woody Allen eh? OMG that is funny; he has to have one of the most bizarre sense of humor ever. My parents love him. I think he is intriguing. I liked the one movie when a woman fell in love with a movie screen image- I forget the name of it; but it was heavy!
Yes, humor is the bestest!!! I cited your article on meditation on my blog for the article today. The previous post talks about the death penalty, you may like that one. I have switched my position on it and can't abide it; as I am pro life. If I am pro life, that makes no sense! But enough about that. I like your posts and will add you to the blog roll. Keep on and those pics of your neck are crazy! I wonder do they have to lubricate the screws? You are so blessed to have such a wonderful and loving attitude, especially after the physical pain. So many of us in physical pain become jerks to lash out; you don't do that here and all of us appreciate that. I wish you well:) And Happy Holidays:)
wonderful post, bhakti.. I agree, from your words we can see your spirituality (I did really appreciate your posts about it.. I've always been intrigued but always thought it is very difficult, but the way you explained with such easy words mada me more confident in trying) and sense of humour--- it is the best way to deal with bad things that happen in life...
they should teach it in hospitals ;)
ps: I love chet baker tooo!!!!!
Ha! I knew you was nice. I do want you to know i steer away from the 'spiritual stuff' nothing against anyone just a quirk of mine. I just want to say that right out. Am working on a series of 'Short Stories' explaining my 'quirks' right now, as a matter of fact.
Chow, girlfriend.
ZOMBIE SLAYER: I think you either love Woody Allen, or...not. (Talking 'bout his movies!)
I love War and Peace, but the strange thing is, I can't explain why I love it other than the characters are so real to life, and I feel like I am THERE, in the thick of it with them.
MAHNDISA--Thank you so much for acknowledging my optimism (love of life). I've always maintained that the glass is neither half empty or half full..it just "is". I'd like to make my "is" the best it can be!
I was reading someone's blog yesterday in which she was writing about all of the things she can't stand about herself. Now, I've been on the spiritual path long enough (pretty much all my life!) to know that you can't MAKE people become spiritual, we're all exactly where we need to be. My point is, it makes me happy that my sense of Self is appreciated. And if I ever do use this blog as a place to lash out, please smack me back into shape!
We have a choice (yes a choice!) and I choose to look within and create (yes create) happiness.
Thanks for the link!
MARIEL: I'm glad that you can sense my spirituality in my posts. That's a beautiful thing for you to say. Thank you. And, yes, humor is an important part of life, and recovery, and I found that many of the nurses (in the neurology ICU) were extremely funny! Thank God! That helped a lot, for sure.
L>T: I just tell it like I experience it...I don't try to convert people, or any of that nonsense. Like I've stated above, we're all exactly where we need to be on our paths. So, come here for the humor and leave here with a smile! :)
VKCFO
Very Kind Comments From Others
Suddenly my cold doesn't seem so bad anymore.
Gyrobo: That's probably due to the fact that you have that comfy, cute little nite cap on your head!
:)
I think you either love Woody Allen, or...not. (Talking 'bout his movies!)
Yeah, he is one of those people (the talent, not the person) who you either love or you hate. I think she just doesn't "get" him. She keeps wanting to strangle him and I tell her you're not supposed to like him, you're supposed to laugh at him. She doesn't get that.
Oh happy day! I know all those stories you speak of.
I have prob. ten books of just short stories. It is a good way observe a writers style for one thing.
I just finished 'Dubliner' James joyce's book of short stories.
One of my fav. short story books is a book composed of Russian Writers.
When my son was young he used to let me read short stories to him. One of his fav. was called 'The Vertical Ladder' (Idon't rember the Author) a very chilling story about a boy dared to climb the ladder on a high water tower & how he felt as he went up & up. i think this was one of the stories that led my son to love to read.
chow!
The Irony of life alone is proof that God has a sense of Humor. That and just take a look at teh duckbill platypus.
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