Originally published by our elephriends over at Recovering Yogi on July 11 2011. 

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It’s called humor, people!

By Don Ogata

I was in the middle of writing my latest post, “Politically incorrect events that make me laugh so hard I wet my pants” or “Things that crack up an incontinent, misogynistic, racist Buddha-head” when I realized it may attract some negative comments.

Actually, what I want to address is why some people seem to lose their sense of humor when they start on a path of spirituality. It’s especially baffling why someone would come to Recovering Yogi (a witty, sardonic, ironic website) and be a politically correct policeman policeperson person of police persuasion. The articles posted here are all written from a particular viewpoint, which is: “Life is a bitch so we might as well laugh at it.” Sometimes, in order to do that, you take something “serious” and add a dimension called “humor” to twist it slightly.

Here’s an example:

Being on a path of all things spiritual is a noble path to be on, and being Buddhist means there are eight of these noble paths. I’m pretty sure one of the paths is Truthful Sarcasm, both spoken and written. So in order to be a good Buddhist, sarcasm must always be forefront on your tongue and pen.

See, I just made an attempt at being witty. Along the way, that statement could be construed as being offensive to Buddhists, spiritualists and humorists. Others will read it, Google “Noble Eightfold Paths,” and respond that Truthful Sarcasm is not one of them; the author must have meant “Right Speech” and distorted it through the layers of damage they have amassed through drinking, smoking and abuse of small animals. Still others will read it and laugh. That’s it, just laugh. No interpretation, no analysis, no offense, just a chuckle, a nod of the head, and on to the next thing.

I know everything I say and write won’t appeal to everyone. Sometimes it won’t appeal to anyone, but that’s ok, it made me laugh at the time, which is all that counts.

There I go again, possibly offending the narcissists out there.

Personally, I think it’s okay to be spiritual but still be able to laugh at the absurd things that happen around you, even the ones that happen in the spiritual realm. So for those of you who don’t find a lot of humor in the articles here, maybe you shouldn’t be reading them. I know I won’t be offended if you don’t.

Oh, I want everyone to know that I don’t really laugh at incontinence (since that usually causes inadvertent leakage), misogyny is wrong (yeah, so all you women please just sit down), I’m not racist (I equally detest all races), and I am a Buddha-head, not the classic definition of being from Hawaii, but still an American of Japanese ancestry, so I can make that joke.

PS: My son just walked in and I was telling him my inspiration for this article. His comment was that maybe Knock Knock jokes would be more appropriate, so in honor of Matthew Teague’s recent story “When Yoga Attacks,” here you go:

Knock Knock

Who’s there?

Yoga

AUUUGGGGHHHH!!!!!

About Don Ogata

Don Ogata lives in Southern California and is gainfully employed. He doesn’t have a blog or website and he doesn’t run his own business. His current passions are Yin Yoga and contemplating his next RY sticker placement. He can be found on Facebook or wallowing in self-pity from the Corporate Wasteland.