Divine Play, Sacred Laughter, and Spiritual Understanding [Hardcover]

This study in the relationship between religion and the comic focuses on the ways in which the latter fulfils a central function in the sacred understanding of reality of pre-modern cultures and the spiritual life of religious traditions. The central thesis is that figures such as tricksters, sacred clowns, and holy fools play an essential role in bridging the gap between the divine and the human by integrating the element of disequilibrium that results from the contact between incommensurable realities. This interdisciplinary and cross-cultural series of essays is devoted to spiritual, anthropological, and literary characters and phenomena that point to a deeper understanding of the various mythological, ceremonial, and mystical ways in which the fundamental ambiguity of existence is symbolized and acted out. Given its interdisciplinary and cross-cultural perspective, this volume will appeal to scholars from a variety of fields.Introduction M?y? and the Divine Treasure Ambiguity of the Demiurge Dionysus, Shiva, Osiris Divine Troublemakers Coyote and Kin Reading the Trickster's Footsteps Thundering Clowns Spiritual Laughter Fools for Christ's Sake The People of Blame Fools on a Tightrope Epilogue: Cracks of Light Bibliography

Laude's great gift is to uncloak the sacred arena in which our laughter rises to heaven and beyond, for there are we returned to the most human, the free, exalted expression of our divine nature. - David Appelbaum, former editor, Parabola Magazine How can laughter truly heal? Why are we longing to laugh? Patrick Laude's insightful study demonstrates that laughter can take place where the Absolute and Relative meet - at a perceived incongruity. The divine dimension of human laughter may be a spiritual door predicated on the ability for self-transcendance and is condusive to a detachment. In his upcoming work A Return to the Spirit, the august Martin Lings, as well, answers the question What is the spiritual dimension of tears and laulã