Laughter In Our Aberrant Time

The "Science of Laughter" is not a concept to be laughed off as absurdly trivial. Indeed, the power of mirth that produces guffaw is one is one of the most potent forces that can address the varied crises of our sordid time. We live in a time of nuclear threat; terrorism & refugee crisis; unemployment; poverty & sickness. If humor & laughter cannot cure all evils, it can surely enable us to survive the difficult times and develop a system of immunity within us to fight back the negative impacts with replenished energy!

Laughter keeps our life "flowing" when things, at large, seem to have come to a standstill. Apparently, the ridiculous or the nonsensical are taken for granted when a friend lifts up our low spirit with a merry joke. The hilarious photographs on Pinterest, & also, Cat videos & Bonobo monkeys on You Tube, seemingly, serve no purpose other than providing amusement. But when we introspect about the same it can be realized how these different items of entertainments provide support to our mental & physical health!

The slap-stick antics of a hilarious Chaplin comedy or the extremely funny British sitcoms, Black adder, & Mr. Bean, played by the great comedian, Rowan Atkinson, can transport our insomniac brains to an elevated state of glee! Suddenly the crude; the mundane & the mechanized world appear colorful and our perspective changes for the better! Even in the comedies of Shakespeare we discover how merriment & laughter has always been a survival instinct for mankind! When Antonio croons on his "sad part" in the world, Gratiano answers,

"WITH MIRTH AND LAUGHTER LET OLD WRINKLES COME"( Merchant of Venice, Act 1)

To lend credence to the belief of the greatest dramatist of the Jacobean age, modern science, today, affirms the tremendous significance of joy & laughter as a powerful defense mechanism against the problems of our day to day complex existence. It is recommended as "the best medicine" that heals us to be able to face the death threats that often show up in varied forms in different parts of the globe. It is time to take" humor seriously" or "seriousness humorously".

The Academy award winner, Roberto Bengini, in his "Life is Beautiful" has well exemplified the assertion that laughter is valuable even in Holocaust- related contexts! In a different setting, Charles Chaplin in his "The Great Dictator" presents us with a brilliant caricature of Hitler's serious ambition to project himself as a demi-god! In both the films, though of different times, laughter is a weapon against the oppressors. Bengini's film affirms the beauty & worth of life despite Holocaust & its grim reality. It is an affirmation that life can rise above the harsh realities of time if we can laugh off its seriousness!

However, human life is not just threatened by the impact of terrorism, oppression & brutality. The menace could be internal if it is triggered by the fear of death caused by incurable/ fatal diseases that afflict the human body.

Herein lies the role of the "Hope Doctors "whose emergence is a new, world- wide phenomenon. The heart of the idea is to introduce jocularity amidst the suffering patients who have been confined within the hospital wards and cabins for years. Laughter in a hospital is not a common sight. It is also not common to run into medical clowns within its ambiance. The concept of using trained professional comedians for therapeutic support has not gained ground around the world. Hence, it is unthinkable to apply in a country like India where hospitals wear a grim look of pain & fear.

Nevertheless, a former TV Journalist in India Diya Banerjee's Documentary" The Hope Doctors" surveys the new trend through the efforts of Fif Fernandes, a former nurse with hospitals in Canada, who has introduced the new idea in India. Assisted by her husband, Hamish Boyd, she operates with the Aaravind Eye Hospital in Pondicherry. Besides, the documentary explores how Ashwath Bhatt, a well- known comedian, is a regular visitor of pediatric cancer ward of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi.

The comedian visits with his company who are the funny actors with red noses & colorful wigs. It is heartening to see how their antics generate a chirpy atmosphere among the ailing children. One can hear twitters & happy squeals echo through the children's ward in AIIMS, one of India's largest public hospitals. The funny facial expression of the silver haired lady, and the guffaws she generates among the sick children, is highly fulfilling to watch!

Being funny can be a serious job as the "Hope Doctors" believe that the trained performers can complement the medical treatment through mime, music & dance which could immensely contribute to the benefit of the serious patients, alleviating their pain, and thus, improving the atmosphere of the hospitals.

It is curious to know that the renowned advocate of the philosophy that "Laughter is the best medicine", the American doctor & humorist Patch Adams, was the greatest inspiration of Robin Williams, the actor who expressed laughter in seriousness & seriousness in laughter with subtle touches!

Indeed, we may conclude that the idea to mingle comic skill with nursing expertise for the general well-being of the patients is a unique one! It is positive & cathartic in its implication. Hence, medical clowning should not be perceived as an appendage but a practice that can be embedded in the Holistic Health Care System. Scientific evidence corroborates that healing speeds up with the strengthening of the patient's mental health. Laughter lights up our mind to rejuvenate our body.

So always laugh whenever you find chance because it is the cheapest medicine found in the world!

CAN FUN & LAUGHTER BE THE HEALER OF OUR ABERRANT TIME?

Indeed it can! There is no doubt that this life is a serious business and just "not an empty dream."

However, it cannot be cheerless and bereft of joy and laughter. Lack of mirth kills the essence of "vitality" within us which is needed to counter the disharmony and the force of destruction that has been threatening our day to day existence. Noble deeds can be performed only by a harmonious spirit which is the gift of inner happiness. One may find the inspiration of joy and laughter even in the preachings of Christ, the Messiah of Love and Forgiveness!

Proverbs: 17.22:

"A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."

Psalm 126:2:

"Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "THE LORD has done great things for them". [The Bible]

If we explore the genesis of the idea that laughter & mirth, generated by humor, is an elixir for our physical & mental well-being, we must refer to the multiple verses found in the Bible, to strengthen our view. We wonder at the practical wisdom expressed in the Bible when we find, how, today, the doctors all over the world, assert the multiple health benefits of laughter generated by humor.


 By Mandira Mazumder


Article Source: Laughter In Our Aberrant Time

Post a Comment

Informations From: Taun17

Previous Post Next Post
  • Feeding Mistakes That Can Have Bad Effects On Your Child's Growth And Development

    It is not uncommon for parents to find difficulties with feeding their kids. Even getting them to eat something healthy for snack times can be quite an ordeal. Unfortunately, their eating habits can have negative effects on their present and future behaviors and attitudes. As such,... Readmore

  • Shop Safe - 2016

    It's that time of the year again, we are all busy getting gifts either at the Mall or On-Line. The bad guys are also very busy trying to get your "stuff" or your credit card information. I try to write every year about this time to update what you should be aware of. Shopping at the... Readmore

  • Needs: Is It Important For Someone To Be Comfortable With Their Needs When They Are Sensitive?

    When someone has the tendency to please others, it is likely to be a sign that they don't feel comfortable with their own needs. It is then not going to matter that they are a separate human being, as their life won't be a reflection of who they are. Point of Focus Their day-to-day life ... Readmore

  • How to Be Emotionally and Mentally Strong

    Do you lose your mind when chaos or grief sets in? Can you control yourself and bring yourself back to life without feeling out of nuts? Can you be emotionally and mentally stable? This article focuses on the answers to these. Do read on. First of all, when an accident or disaster ... Readmore

  • The Media: Can We Rely On The Mainstream Media To Tell Us What News Is Fake?

    Recently, the mainstream media has been talking about 'fake news' sites, and how these are having a detrimental effect on the world. Thus, if one is not aware of what has been taking place, they will be able to find out about it by reading paper or going online, for instance. Infor... Readmore

  • Are You Offended?

    Entering the Christian arena, one is immediately met with scenarios that will both bless and confuse the minds of the faithful. One area that defies spiritual reasoning is the number of people that are offended by different circumstances. It is amazing how many thin skinned Believer... Readmore

  • Your True Love Is Measured in Others

    When the concept of true love has to be explained even the well-spoken Paul needs quite a number of words to put it clearly. Therefore, he starts 1 Corinthians 13 by saying what it's not. Then he starts explaining what love truly is. 4 So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and ... Readmore

  • Great Sponsor + Great PM = Awesome Success - Ten Truths of an Effective Sponsor/PM Partnership

    A sad tale of a how a sponsor/PM relationship killed a project...  Exec identifies a need for a project and nominates self as sponsor. PM gets assigned to project and assembles project team. Sponsor is vague about problem to be solved other than "we need a new system". PM can't co... Readmore

  • Boundaries: Does Someone Need To Avoid People Who Lack Boundaries When They Are Sensitive?

    In order for someone to be able to express their true-self, they will need to feel comfortable doing so. If they only feel safe when they are putting on an act, it will still stop this part of them from seeing the light of day. How they generally behave around others is then going ... Readmore

  • Self-Worth: Can Someone Realise Their Value By Being Creative?

    While there are some people who feel comfortable in their own skin, so to speak, there are others who don't. When one does experience life in this way, they are likely to have a sense of their own value. Self-Worth Through being in touch with what they bring to the world, they won'... Readmore