(or: ‘The Power To Light Up’ – Part 3)
The more you practice the ‘Participant/Observer’-method as outlined in the previous article, the more you’ll realize you are not your thoughts, emotions, brain, or body:
- You’ll appreciate how your body is much like a ‘space suit’ of sorts, which serves as a vehicle that allows you to experience what we call ‘the world’ or ‘reality,’ a tiny frequency range within ‘infinite possibility’ that we’re able to perceive with its five senses and that we call ‘the world.’
- That ‘space suit’ is not who we really are; it’s only what we often think we are. We’re actually consciousness having an experience through it.
Life as a ‘struggle’ is only part of the ‘participant’-perspective identifying with the five-sense ‘reality’ of the ‘space suit’ and its ingrained, involuntary patterns that are driven by the subconscious system of the ‘egg.’
As long as we keep identifying with the mental turbulence and emotional turmoil taking place at this level, we’ll merely create an ever denser, more constricting and exhaustingly alert state that further blocks us from a fruitful connection with our expansive levels of consciousness, intuition and true creative potential.
Under the constantly and involuntarily triggered states of, worry, anger, frustration, sadness, resentment, depression and other imbalanced emotional atmospheres, we say:
“I feel so tight and heavy”…
And that’s the experience of our naturally expansive conscious essence being locked up and squeezed inside our ‘egg.’
But the ‘Participant/Observer’-method leverages our inherent ability to ‘lighten up’ almost instantaneously. It allows us to disidentify from the emotional turbulence imposed by our ‘egg’ and get an undistorted point of view on both the situation that triggered our ‘Egg Patterns’ and those patterns themselves.
From that newly-gained viewpoint we can permanently dissolve and free ourselves from those ‘Egg Patterns,’ which otherwise continue to enslave us to their will and to the dictates of circumstance, and thus confine us to a severely limited sense of options, choice and possibility.
The technique thus makes up the starting point to consciously break free and take charge, from where we can begin to apply additional methods and techniques to enhance its liberating effect by permanently dismantling and dissolving any inhibiting patterns and their sources as if they never existed to begin with.
This, in turn, will shift our paradigm and fundamental orientation in life, and increases our ability to take charge to deliberately create the kind of life experience we dream about, and lifts it to whole new levels of power and influence.
The insights and techniques that we cover in the Crack Your Egg Program serve tremendously to that aim. But there’s one in particular that’s almost too simple and obvious to consider it an immensely powerful technique. We therefore tend to discount it, although it’s especially effective and above all very simple to apply.
The trick is to…:
LAUGH!
I know that at first this may sound ridiculously simple (and perhaps almost disappointingly plain), but think about it:
Try to be serious, tight and heavy when you’re genuine laughing or someone else is…
You can’t.
And I’ll tell you another thing:
You can look at all your ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ struggles in life, and you can decide to laugh about it or to cry about it. Depending on our point of observation and how you look at it, a situation can be depressing and fearful (<– from an attached/identified point of view), or ridiculous and funny (<– from a detached/disidentified point of view).
Ultimately, it’s a matter of choice.
I’ve had plenty of days in my life that I felt depressed and/or victimized. But when I saw or heard something I thought was funny, or as the urge to laugh just came up spontaneously as I managed to detach from the superficial emotional disturbance of the moment and looked at the situation from a much wider outlook, I was completely incapable of holding up this façade.
On the ‘Participant’-level my ‘egg’ would still react somewhat along the lines of…:
But the moment I gave in to the urge, the laugher burst the bubble of pomposity and self-pity in an instant.
That feeling was amazing! In terms that seem appropriate: I just ‘cracked myself up.’
It’s the same when you manage to make other people laugh at moments they’re actually in intense states of anger, sadness, resentment, etc.
It’s just a fact:
You can’t be tight and heavy when you’re genuinely laughing. Laughter breaks up the density and frees up the channels for our energies to flow. The wonderful healing effect of laughter on your body has even been explicitly confirmed in medical research. [1,2,3,4]
Now obviously, I’m not saying we should all laugh uncontrollably twenty-four hours a day, nor am I suggesting the typically proposed remedy of positive thinking (<– which isn’t inherently bad, but in its commonly instructed application can actually do more harm than good when we want to ‘crack our eggs,’ as this article and this article explain).
What I am saying is that from the ‘observer’-perspective we can leverage the power of a sense of humor to instantly dissolve uncomfortable emotional states, and the underlying patterns that cause them along with it. Here’s one way in which you can:
Most people don’t laugh enough by far. There are even people who hardly laugh at all. But to be able to leverage this skill we need to keep practicing it. There’s an English comedian called Ken Dodd who put it like this:
“We’re all born with a chuckle muscle, and if you exercise it every day, it’ll keep
you young and frisky all your life. But if you don’t, it dries up and drops off.”
Now think about it:
How many times are we told we mustn’t laugh? It starts when we’re kids as throughout school we’re often told to keep quiet if we do.
But let’s lighten up. If we’re ‘infinite consciousness’ having an experience in this tiny frequency range we call ‘reality,’ then we can make it a ‘fun’ experience if we want. Make time to regularly read or watch stuff you think is funny to keep your chuckle muscle in shape.
And that brings us to the best thing about it:
Laughter is infectious. When one person laughs, it’s like permission has been granted to others to laugh as well. This phenomenon is known as ‘mood contagion,’ and even applies to those who are afraid to loosen their corsets and let themselves go. They simply won’t be able to help it. [5]
And if genuine laughter doesn’t seem to be part of the realm of possibilities, simply begin by plastering a smile on your face. Fake one if necessary. Even though it may feel awkward, paste one on your face as fully as possible, involving the mouth and the facial muscles around the eyes.
The smile doesn’t even need to be based on real emotion. Research has shown that the biofeedback resulting from even a fake one significantly lowers heart rate and produces a change in brain activity that corresponds with a happier mood. (<– To wit, frowns have been shown to have the opposite effect.) [6]
Just step out of the density of the ‘body space suit’ (<– i.e. ‘participant’) now and then, and see things from the ‘observer’ perspective. ‘Out there’ can be so much fun, and there’s so much joy in just ‘being.’
You’ll not only lighten up, but you’ll light up as well. And as you’ll see, others will follow; they won’t be able to help it. Everyone will feel better because of it.
So to all curmudgeons, pessimistic sourpusses, and grumpy old downers out there… here’s to you:
References:
[1] Bennett, M.P. and C. Lengacher (2008), “Humor and Laughter May Influence Health: III. Laughter and Health Outcomes,” Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 5(1), pp. 37-40;
[2] Bennett, M.P. and C. Lengacher (2009), “Humor and Laughter May Influence Health IV. Humor and Immune Function,” Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 6(2), pp. 159-164;
[3] Wooten, P. (1996), “Humor: an antidote for stress,” Holist Nurs Pract. 10(2), pp. 49-56;
[4] Yazdani, M., Esmaeilzadeh, M., Pahlavanzadeh, S. and F. Khaledi (2014), “The Effect Of Laughter Yoga On General Health Among Nursing Students,” Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 19(1), pp. 36-40;
[5] Neumann R. and F. Strack (2000), “Mood contagion: The Automatic Transfer Of Mood Between Persons,” J Pers Soc Psychol. 79(2), pp. 211-223;
[6] Kraft, T.L. and S.D. Pressman (2012), “Grin And Bear It: The Influence Of Manipulated Facial Expression On The Stress Response,” Psychol Sci. 23(11), pp. 1372-1378.
Heck, you put the smile on my face again. Please do not delay with the next topic as you can see that the momentum of good moods and observing positivity out of negetivity is flowing and vibrating in many of us. This topic is the best and the best is still to come. Thanks a lot.
Hey Henk, This one definitely shines a necessary resource for better mental health, and is an important reminder that societies call to “straighten up, and fly right” is usually a mask for, “lets everyone be miserable”. Thank Again, I very much needed this, Layne
I love movies and have favorite ones that make me laugh almost all the way through. Here’s my list in case anyone needs recommendations: Gunless, Paul, Stranger than Fiction, 50 First Dates, Liar Liar, Ace Ventura Pet Detective, Music and Lyrics, Benny and Joon, and Parenthood are just a few that make me laugh and bring my spirits back up in a hurry. I loved the Butterfly Circus, by the way. I’d seen it before, but it is truly worth a rewatch. Thanks again, Henk. You’re priceless.
Thanks Henk, A timely reminder, I went through some very stressful moments 8 weeks ago and was very upset but had to brush it aside and cope. So with my awareness thought I had got over it, looking at the lessons I have gained out of it. Of late those moments and thoughts keep coming back to haunt me. Someone actually said I suffered PTSD after the event. I was not sure if that was true as it was not something catastrophic. I spend all of today trying to work through it and BINGO! read this and yes, if it was not happening to me , the chain of events were like a comedy of errors and if you watch it in a movie would have laugh out loud moments. Keep laughing and loving. Namaste
Incredible piece.I had one (sort of) today. My daughter-in-law teaches at a rather prestgious
school in Arizona. Today in writing to a friend I wrote” My son’s wife teaches school In Az.
at Heavenly Alley Christian,’. My Mac sticks on soime letters.
Thanks for another food for thought , infinitely better than any food for the stomach
Hi Henk
This is awesome I’m a living testimony to this I sometimes make a joke out of a situation that angers me most and it does help They even call me SMILEY because of that I have benefitted so much from your messages
Thank You
Hi Henk,
Well researched and published article. So far I find interesting and like to read more of your articles. Who wants to laugh when there is trouble, it will be said that it is the craziest thing. On the other hand I think it is the best cure. Just like a child cries in the beginning and when some funny act is shown the baby laughs and the whole situation gets under control.
Thank you and I will think of using it.
Regards,
Alphons
Hi Henk,
Awesome article and I love the Benny Hill sound track, I don’t think I have ever been able to listen to it without at least having a huge smile on my face and usually it brings up some memory that is hilarious. It always brightens my mood. thanks for sharing your insights so freely. I do enjoy them.
he he heh he heh
Hey Henk-aka “The Eggman”
You put together another one that leads one to think outside ones self to get to that place we all love, want and need on a continuous basis if not just to survive the day and the onslaught of just life. You make it seem so easy so many times but you are and have been like the right on dude—and God Bless You for that fact. Opening ones eyes, mind, body and soul to awaken to the fact we are not just these “rental units” we live in but far, far more and you my very good friend have opened that “thought” door and let some really KOOL breezes blow through. And that kid stuff we are blended, blamed, battered and bewildered until we “FIT” into the society of our surroundings—not knowing of anything else out there…..til now!
Love ya brother from another mother, Mark SD aka “egglet”
Thank you for this last article! Actually there is nothing better than the effect of laughter on our lives. When we associate a ‘difficult’ situation with something fun, nothing of the difficulty lasts, and it immediately changes our minds. Congratulations and success! – Joaco
A wonderful article, clearly written. Laughter – and a smile as some of the comments state – are truly such wonderful gifts. They both have the power to brighten up a room, a group, an individual and can enable the participants to `escape’ themselves and enter into a state of joy – thus enabling healing of body, mind, emotions and spirit to occur.
The media is so full of `bad’ news that we all need to consciously connect to positivity and hope. What better way than through a laugh or a smile???
As a Kinesiologist so much of my work centres around people who are in pain or despair; and feel lost, anxious or sad. Part of my role is to help them to release their emotions and pains and rediscover their joys. I will be referring many to this article.
Well done.
Lindy (Australia)
Hi, I love this! I always remember the movies of Mr. Bean. True laughter is the best cure for today’s life! I would be reading this again and again to motivate me in facing all my struggles. I am blessed and guided to your site! Thank you!
i liked this article very much & i am deeply grateful for sharing this knowledge with me., thanks.
Henk, Thank you so much for posting this article! I really enjoyed reading the part about the “participant” and “observer” method in the previous article for dealing with our problems. I have tried this method many times (but not enough- I need to remind myself to keep using it), and it is amazing what you learn about yourself when you do this! I have learned that many of my reactions to my problems or hardships are absolutely ridiculous, especially when I reflect on it later. I often discover that what I thought was a catastrophe was just a simple mishap with a very simple solution!
Hi dear Henk; your article is a real eye opener. I liked it so much and i feel I am in need of it very much and at the right rime. It is great, keep educating people like me. Thanq
A timely reminder not only of the power of laughter, but also our ability to choose to laugh – made all the more possible by stepping out of our mundane selves into our “observers”. I think that it was Einstein who suggested that we cannot solve our problems from the same level at which they were created – I suspect that, from the expanded perspective of our higher selves, most things in our mundane, physical lives are worth a little chuckle!
Great article!! Who can argue the healing power of laughter. Some years ago now, we made the decision in my household to switch off the TV, except for a few “healthy” kids’ programs and every good comedy we could find. It’s amazing how a simple decision can change your life – life’s never been so good!! Of course, watching comedies isn’t necessarily the same as learning to laugh, but it’s a great place to start.
LMFAO, this is exactly what I needed at this time and space, thank you, thank you, thank you! Your message is just what I needed. You are so inspirational and honest it blows my mind. Continue to keep the message going. In gratitude
Thank you for the articulate article – it was helpful and a good reminder. I forget to swing out to the observer vantage point and need to do it more often because the participant feels a lot sometimes.
I believe it was Norman Cousins who healed his terminal illness through laughter. So, in honour of this good advice, I would like to add a laugh here! : D Lost In Translation was on last night, so I watched it (it’s a good movie!)….. This scene made me laugh so much! Enjoy (and for gods sake – watch out for elliptical machines!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0nc_pfSYoY
Nancy : D
OMG!! did I ever need to be reminded of this today. Thanks so very. very much.
“Y’all remember…don’t let your laugh muscle fall off!!! Yuk it up.”
Woke up crying and there was your article in my email. The value of your work is beyond measure. You definitly get to check off the “raised the vibration of the planet” section of life goals. I have yet to come accross anything in your work than doesn’t resonate as true and useful information. It should be handed to newborns as the instruction manual for the control panel. My most heartfelt thank you for everything that you have shared over the years. You have certainly cracked my egg and unscrambled my yoke.
Barb
Hi there dear Henk I moved residence and had my internet disconnected temporarily!
You never cease to surprise me. This article is out-standing! Thank you again and again!
You reminded me of what I learnt years ago, to laugh at everything and release the tension!
I have dozens of e-mails to read and yours, EnkiSpeaks, and Animal Rescue are the first
I read. MAY THIS BE THE BEGINING OF THIS HUMANITY’S SPIRITUAL AWAKENING AS A WHOLE.
HENK, DEAR ONE, YOU ARE BLESSED FOREVER!
Very interesting topic, to transform the mind and have a better concept in every thing. Thank you for giving me the chance to read this.
Yes indeed, getting to know what are we made of originally is leading the enlightened like you to shed the light about our limited physical reality vs the unlimited spiritual one!
thank you for an enjoyable soul tour!
Nice article! good stuff.
I am going thru a transformation within myself, from being THE participant with the “I (always) feel tight and heavy” feeling in my stomach to finally having an “aha” moment, realizing that I have lived my life in the “participant” mode and am now working my way into the “observer” mode. The former is so heavy…so awful..so negative, well it has been for me, and the latter mode, ahhh…feels so much lighter. I will admit that it takes conscious work and am treading carefully as I do not want to slip back….so yes it takes constant awareness.
So I am here to thank you for this blog, hits home like none other, put a smile on my face as I could relate to so much of what you have shared.
Thank you both…I always anxiously await your email.
Thank you….God Bless
Really appreciate your insights into each of us in common…concerning Laughter:
Here is a situation anyone can change the vibrations in:
A friend of mine was quite depressed, and sad, and scared, and not knowing how a situation would turn out with she and her boyfriend, she being pregnant!
After talking awhile that didn’t seem to help, I suddenly introduced a game into the situation. What would make this situation worse? She and I would go back and forth with
new “worses”, and it finally got so ridiculous that we burst out laughing, and laughing about our “consequences”!!!! This may sound weird, but it worked. This kind of opening up has helped she and a number of others over the years…Love it, Lila