A Case of Uncontrollable Laughter and a Search for Religion

Have you ever been the victim of an uncontrollable urge to laugh? You know the type of urge I'm talking about. Usually this condition does not strike in isolation. In fact is most often involves other victims who become entrenched in the giggle cycle and unwittingly perpetuate the symptoms. What are the symptoms, you ask? Well, the symptoms are varied but may involve red face, tears streaming down the cheeks, belly busting laughter, an inability to speak without laughing, and uncontrollable bladder functions. And let it be known that this condition is extremely infectious, if one person comes down with a case of it, others in close proximity may also be induced into uncontrollable laugther -which incidentally further perpetuates the condition for the original victim.

I can't tell you how many times this has happened to me. And the fact that I have so many of these opportunites that I can no longer remember how many times I have been afflicted, quite frankly, is what makes life worth living.

I'm going to retell one of these laugh incidents that was encountered during my search for religion.

I guess you can say that I am a searcher. I loved that show "In Search Of" with Leonard Nimoy where they explored weird, creepy, and unusual events. I always am looking for meaning in things that happen-the lessons of life, if you will. And this searching and looking has obviously carried over into my quest to understand religion.

Just to bring you up to speed, I was raised Roman Catholic. So needless to say my religious upbringing was rigid and ceremonial. I exaggerate about the rigidity because in all truthfulness my parents were never authoritarian nor strict. But I have to admit that church experiences in the Roman Catholic tradition are not of the kind that encouraged me to enjoy church. There was of course the stand, sit, kneel routine that the Catholic Church organizes their mass around, most likely in an attempt to make sure no on falls asleep during the boring readings.

The music and singing were my favorite parts of the mass. That was when my sister and I would giggle at the organist everytime his voice cracked or missed a note. We also were reduced to giggles when the altar boy would ring the bell just a little too long or perhaps off cue when the Eucharist was prepared. You see, we could find humor in the most unlikely places. I also endured all the CCD classes I could care to remember which prepared me for all the holy sacraments: communion, confession, and confirmation. Although I have to interject, what 13 year old really knows what religion they want to proclaim to the high heavens to be their religion of choice for all eternity? I had to pick a Saint name (I picked Margaret, my middle name and grandmother's name). I made a sash and we had a stupid retreat where we had to make collages from magazine pictures that illustrated a certain quality-love, kindness, I can't remember what else. However, why can I distinctly remember The Wall t-shirt worn by Mike LaPoutre? Boy, the enthusiasm that this exercise elicited! And by the way, where the hell were my priorities anyway? My only defense was that I was 13!

So with this disillusionment with church I did some exploring on my own. I had a Jewish friend and in Girl Scouts (don't laugh) I earned a badge by attending her synagogue. I also attened Lutheran mass (and vacation Bible School at the Lutheran church). I've been to Episcopal mass to where they have Eucharist too, but it involves chunks of yeasty bread as opposed to the dull flat communion wafers. I went to a Presbyterian service in college when I was dating (I use that term loosely) this guy who went to that church. It was a univeristy church, so the minister wore blue jeans and Birkenstocks. Now that was a sermon I could kind of relate to, even though it came across rather preachy. But there was a spagetti dinner afterwards where I dined with other Christians.

Despite these experiences, I still hadn't found what I was looking for. It seemed like organized relgion, particulary Western Christianity, just couldn't offer what I was searching for. So, I decided to do some reading on Eastern religions. I read about Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and whatever other -ism that was trendy for a hip college student to explore. All that self-deprivation somehow didn't appeal to my hedonistic tendecies and I just couldn't find a connection.

Right now you're probably thinking-What does all of this have to do with the uncontrollable laughter affliction?

Well, I'll get to that now. During my curious phase, I happened to attend a religious gathering for Eckankar. Don't ask me why. Maybe it was the rag tag group of friends I was hanging around that needed some excitement and enlightenment. For whatever reason we saw the ad in the student newspaper and trasped over to the student union after inhaling some susbtance that will remain nameless. I had no business attending any religious event in that state of mind. But nevertheless, here I was with this motley crew of stoners attending this meeting.

It started innocently enough with some opening words and preparation for mediatation. The mantra for Eckankar, however, is not Om. Instead, the very serious and earnest attendees of this session got into their meditation by exalting the mantra:

"HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGH"

I swear I tried my best, but when I heard that one woman's high pitched HU ringing through, I could not control myself and broke into complete hysterics. The attendees acted as if nothing was unusual-from what I could tell. Which now that I think about it if they were doing it right they should've blocked out all earthly distractions, including my uncontrollable laughter. Everytime I thought I got my composure together they would break into the:

HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGH! again

I can't remember what else went on during this little adventure, but believe me I was embarrassed. Afterall, I really do have some respect for religion- even though I almost peed my pants.

So although, my search for religion still continues, I have to say that my search for laughter has not been as difficult. Thank God! or Buddah, or Vishnu or whatever Almighty Power you believe in.