--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "geezerfreak" <geezerfreak@> > wrote: > > > > --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "feste37" <feste37@> wrote: > > > > > > I'm all for self-mockery, but I don't think that's what's going on > > > here, for the most part. > > > > > > --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Sal Sunshine <salsunshine@> > > > > Feste, you're all for "self mockery"? Really? Can you give some > > examples as it relates to the TMO? Humor and the ability to laugh > > at oneself are all important aspects of personal growth IMO. > > I agree. And there WERE such things, but they tended > to be in private. I seem to remember you and I having > some pretty funny discussions when we both lived at > National, towards the end of our respective TM "careers." > We laughed our asses off at some of the antics that we > and others were being asked to perform. Remember your > record-cleaning ritual done while singing the puja? > That STILL cracks me up, all these years later. :-) > > But we laughed like this in private, because we knew > what would happen to us if we did it publicly. > > I completely agree with the basic premise -- a religious > or spiritual movement's "mental health" can be judged > pretty accurately by its ability to laugh at itself, > and at the very things it considers holy. When a group > can do that, it's still sane. When it veers into the > aberration of taking itself completely seriously, and > starts to persecute those who laugh at it, then there > is something wrong IMO. >
FWIW, my experience was that there was a deep sense of humor in the 60's and early 70's. Organizational paradoxes would inspire laughter and sweet jokes from Jerry -- and MMY. And a whole host of other leaders as I recall. Some of the regional coordinators were pretty funny and could really rip into things -- but in an endearing way. For example, I enjoyed being able to spend a little bit of time with Joe Clarke, and a few of his posse, including time on some long drives and walks. It was sort of petal to the metal humor. One theme was how only Tom Wolfe (present day one) -- in style of "Elect4ric Kool-Aid Acid Test" would be able to adequately capture the craziness, insanity and paradoxes of the organization. With lots of examples of such flying around -- with hoots of fall-down laughter. As well as celebrating the weird-ass antics of some. Not mocking them, but it was inclusional humor -- like "this is one of our crazy family members -- ain't it great! Ain't life full, rich and wonderful." (and this was totally non- bliss ninny style).
