Martin: Hello.
In one of the satsangs, Ram tells Peggy that she has the humor siddhi, that she can generate it almost at will and work it on other minds, and that it’s a rare gift and highly developed in her.
I’m wondering what the humor siddhi is and how might I develop it. I realize the siddhis are not the goal, but I’m a comic and I think it would help me on stage.
Sundari: You are right, siddhis, or special powers, are definitely not the goal of self-inquiry, because the Self has no special powers, although by its presence it gives rise to all powers. All siddhis come from and belong to Isvara.
There is no such thing as a “humour siddhi” as such. We call humour the fourth guna because Self-knowledge makes you see how silly and funny mithya, the apparent reality, really is. In fact it can be said that Isvara has a great sense of humour!
So, to answer your question, if you want to develop the humour “siddhi,” assimilate the teachings of Vedanta and understand the difference between what is real and unchanging (satya, the Self, you, that which is always present) and that which is always changing (mithya, the jiva/world and not always present).
When you know the difference between non-duality and duality and never confuse the two again, you will find many things to laugh about, which by the way, most samsaris will NOT understand, so I doubt that this knowledge will help you much as a comedian.
Martin: Thank you for the thoughtful reply, that makes sense. I guess I had it in mind that it was like radiating a sense of inner joy, mirth or frivolity, and that that would incline people around one to laugh more, have more fun, be amused, etc. as kind of a comic energy type thing. But I can see now that it is not really that at all, and maybe something like that doesn’t really exist.
Sundari: Oh, it definitely exists, Martin. As I said, when you see the world from the Self’s point of view, there is a constant feeling of mirth occupying the mind because duality is funny. Others who are identified with the body-mind feel the bliss of the Self in you as a lightness of being, but will not know why or what they are feeling, even though it is the Self recognizing itself. Sadly, unless you have the non-dual vision of the Self, you will not see the humour, because you think the world and the person is real.
Martin: Ohhhhhh! That makes even more sense! That is kind of sad, in a way, that most people don’t get the “cosmic joke,” so to speak. I understand it intellectually, and that helps a bit to realize everything is not as serious as it seems (since everything is not as real as it seems either).
But to know it spiritually, as you say, to have the non-dual vision of the Self, that would be so great. Maybe some day! And with spirituality, it’s funny too because to chase after something like that like a goal is also comical. Because eventually you realize what you were seeking all that time was either seeking you all along actually or nothing really. You realize how ridiculous you’ve been. That last might be kind of blending things together or just plain wrong. I’ve been reading a lot about the cosmic joke in recent days. ☺
Well, thank you again for taking the time to reply,
Sundari: Yes, indeed! That is the cosmic joke, that you are what you are seeking and there is nothing but you. The fact that you get this means that your sadhana is working and Self-knowledge must be assimilating. Good for you!
~ Much love, Sundari
