Humor and Mindfulness

Knock, knock.  Who’s there? Bean. Bean who? Bean a while since I saw you!

How did the bean ask the other bean for help climbing the garden cane?  “Can you give me a legume up?”

Can we experience play and find humor in our mindfulness practice? Yes! This month, I was reminded that humor can be part of practicing presence. I was finally able to go on a brief retreat in the Pocono Mountains. The retreat was yoga and mindfulness focused, so a bit different than my typical silent retreat format. In preparation for the retreat, I was very aware of the vegetables proliferating in my garden. I did my best to pick, process and store before leaving for the retreat. It was a bit overwhelming. Hence the garden jokes above.

After driving a few hours, I arrived at the retreat a bit frazzled and distracted, ready to drop into silence and practice present moment awareness. I was hoping to find some peace and ease. During the retreat, we practiced restorative yoga, walking meditation and silent sitting meditation. We also talked in small groups. I made connections with other women retreatants. During our meals and reflection/sharing times, humor and laughter were at the forefront. In retrospect, the gentle humor and connection shared with others was as meaningful to me as the practices of engaging in silence and spending time with myself.

Revisiting humor and play during the retreat broadened my perspective and awareness around the accessibility to joy, peace and awe. In a mindfulness practice, we are encouraged to attend to joy, peace and awe when it shows up; however, I contend that in the busyness of life, I can easily overlook and/or miss out on appreciating them fully when they are present. At times, the 24/7 push of information increases distractibility. I can fall into a pattern of doing and ruminating without being intentional about my focus and intentions. This observation reminded me to revisit the practices of savoring. To savor means to intentionally focus on the positive aspects of a moment or experience. I have been more intentional about noting positive moments and experiences since returning from retreat. I am taking time to savor the sensations, emotions, thoughts, perceptions, etc. of the pleasant and/or enjoyable moments as they arise. This is how I’m practicing savoring:

1. Note the Details—little things that occur throughout the day. E.G. a silly joke, a smile from someone, noting a flower blooming, the sunset, etc.

2. Note the Sensations—enjoying present moment smells, sounds, physical sensations and creating a memory of the sensations for future contemplation.  

3. Note what you’re enjoying and practice gratitude in those moments.

4. Use these awareness practices to incorporate doing what you enjoy into your life.

I have found that humor and being more playful makes me more aware of moments of peace, ease, pleasure. A silly joke or two or shared laughter shifts my perspective and allows me to remember to take in all that shows up—the pleasant, unpleasant, neutral, silly and to savor life. Here are a few more silly jokes. Perhaps they’ll assist you as you practice noting and savoring.  

How are coffee beans like teenagers? They both keep getting grounded.

What did one pea say to the other pea? “How you bean?”

Lima be honest with you, that was corny!

Join us in person or via Zoom on October 6th at EUCC Monthly Mindfulness. RSVP for Zoom link: (https://www.mindfulnessandmotion.com/events).

I will be teaching Introduction to Mindfulness in person through the SWSD Community Adult Education program, starting October 30th.  It is open to all individuals and is 3 sessions.  You don’t have to live in the school district to attend: https://southwestern.revtrak.net/rw-adult-education/.

Consider contacting me for Individual Mentorship (https://www.mindfulnessandmotion.com/general-6) to assist you in exploring and growing a mindfulness practice in ways that contribute to health and well-being.

Wishing you well as you contemplate humor, awe and savoring in your practices,

Karen