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Karma Talkwith Swami Beyondananda Dear Swami: You've written a lot about humor and laughter, but I haven't seen you say anything about happiness. Could you expound on the nature of true happiness? Lynn C. Doyle, Dear Lynn: First of all, let me say that I am not an exponent of expounding. Bashing former mates may feel good in the short run, but it is not the way to lasting happiness. However, I will answer your question anyway. It is true that in recent years, the pursuit of happiness has become one of our society's favorite pastimes. But like the dog chasing a car, the thrill is in the pursuit -- it is rare indeed to see a dog lounging in the sun munching contentedly on a Toyota. And in fact, a billion dollar consumer industry has grown up to encourage this pursuit -- an industry that would likely go out of business if enough people actually found the happiness they doggedly pursue. Sadly, money can't buy happiness -- even though it can rent it for a while. Ask anyone who's had a near-debt experience, and they will tell you the pleasure of having can rarely make up for the pressure of owing. Happiness is an inside job, and when we embody happiness in the now we find that it pursues us rather than the other way around. Take, for example, the contention that low frequencies can cause depression. Studies show that folks whose frequency is once or twice a year tend to be more depressed than those whose frequency is more frequent -- like three times a week. And yet, I remember meeting a man whose frequency was extremely low, and yet I've never seen anyone happier or more aglow. I had to ask how he did it. "You've just told me your frequency is once every six years, and yet you're smiling as if you're the happiest man on earth. Why is that?" "Because tonight's the night," he replied. And when we're happy in the here and now, tonight is always the night. * * * * Dear Swami: By now, you will have revealed Elvis's message for the millennium to those who have gathered at your shows. Well, how about the rest of us Presleyterians. Can we hear the King's message as well? Juan Knight, Dear Juan: Well, you may not be able to hear Elvis's message, but you can certainly see it. The message, which came to me during a visit to the Shrine of the Velvet Elvis in Toledo, contains the titles of 31 Elvis songs: Hymn to the King
Love me tender, please surrender,
return to sender
Love me tender, please surrender,
return to sender
Love me tender, please surrender,
return to sender This Month's Unanswerable Question Dear Swami: I want to share with you something I just realized about shiatsu... There are two kinds of ki: yin and yang. Sometimes ki gets stuck and causes pain or disease. The purpose of shiatsu is to move the stuck energy out of the body, back to the ground or the sky where it is supposed to be. In other words, the purpose of shiatsu is to make that yang ki go home. Philip Heller, * * * * Read also:
"Who
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About the Author Hear the Swami’s wisdom with your own ears -- just click onto www.beyondananda.com. To find out more about Swami’s products and appearances on the "outernet", call 1-800-SWAMI-BE. Swami’s Love and Laughter Special. Says the Swami: "Many people have found themselves challenged by the recent economic downturn, and some have even had 'near-debt experiences.’" Well, to paraphrase those 60s icons, the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, "Laughter will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no laughter." To help you wake up laughing ... and leave laughter in your wake, the Swami has put together a special package including his hilarious book on healing laughter, Duck Soup for the Soul, his latest audio cassette, Beyondananda and Beyond: Two Takes on Healing Laughter, and his latest music and comedy CD, Drive Your Karma, Curb Your Dogma, a $38 value for just $29.77 + 4.23 shipping. Not only that, but act right now and receive online Swami's Joke-A-Week (Zen Cohens from Harry Cohen Baba) for ten weeks. To order, call Swami's hot line 1-800-SWAMI-BE or visit www.wakeuplaughing.com |
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