Laughing Guru

There are stories of Ram Dass's guru, who traveled from village to village in India. Wherever he went, he performed miracles and healed people. He loved to laugh and was known for his childlike sense of humor.

Upon arriving as a sacred guest of the village, they would put him in a special home for several days, and surround the home to protect the guru from the crowds. He thought it was all quite hilarious.

They would bring him the food he requested, treating him like a king. But his lifestyle was limited by the entourage of security. With a grin, he would ask, “Tell me again, how did I become your prisoner?!”

Over and over, despite the security and crowds, he would be seen RE-ENTERING.... fighting to get back into the dwelling!

So the building containing a holy man is surrounded by thousands day and night. Yet the guards are baffled as to how the guru is leaving, and more, how he is managing to navigate thru the crowds to reach the outside of the home.

Moments after speaking with him, local security is flustered when the guru is knocking on the door, begging to be let back in.

On another occasion, many were thrilled to be able to join in a leisurely boat tour with the holy man. Twenty people were thrilled to participate in the boat ride through the quiet, deep river waters of the jungle.

But in the middle of the boat ride, the holy man is suddenly in the water!! Wildly splashing water and yelling “I cannot swim!” Anxious to be a part of the guru-rescue... many jump in and swim to his assistance. But his splashing is too much. He screams, "I'm dying!" Eventually the chaos subsides and the water becomes quiet. All present are near the breaking point, weeping and shouting their cries of grief.

Moments later, they spot him calmly doing the backstroke in a distant lagoon. He apparently has no recollection of the incident. The humbly asks if he can come aboard and return to the village.

The guru seemed to be continually tickled by the fact that he was "in the play" yet unlike others, knew it was a play.

Maybe he was teaching us that life should not be taken so seriously.