DO WE DESERVE TO BE HAPPY?

Dear Swami: When I see how many humans behave, I have to question whether we humans are worthy of happiness in the first place.  Don't you think it's a bit arrogant to think we deserve to have it any better than we do?
Ronna
Studio City, California

Dear Ronna: Interestingly enough, I posed that very same question to my guru, Harry Cohen Baba "The Garment Center Saint," and he told the following Zen Cohen: It was Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement.  The lawyer, the doctor and the banker were all in the front row of the synagogue.  As was the custom in those days each was beating his breast and declaring his unworthiness: "I'm unworthy!  I'm unworthy!"  Just then, the lowly janitor walked in.  Observing the scene, he too walked to front and began crying out, "I'm unworthy!  I'm unworthy!  I'm unworthy!"

At which point, the lawyer turned to the banker and said, "So, look who thinks he's unworthy!" 

Ever since that great philosopher said "I think, therefore I am," we've been giving the mind descartes blanche.  So let's give the head a little rest and relax in knowing that life is indeed a joke, but God is laughing with us not at us.  The Creator is watching the Comedy Channel, and we are what's on.  If God is laughing, who are we to not laugh?  And if we are the Creator's primary source of entertainment and amusement, we should definitely cut ourselves a little slack.

To learn more about Swami Beyondananda, visit http://wakeuplaughing.com