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Why Is God Laughing?: The Path to Joy and Spiritual Optimism
In this refreshing new take on spirituality, bestselling author Deepak Chopra uses a fictional tale of a comedian and his unlikely mentor to show us a path back to hope, joy, and even enlightenment—with a lot of laughter along the way.
Meet Mickey Fellows. A successful L.A. comedian, he’s just a regular guy, with his fair share of fears, egocentricities, and addictions. After his father’s death, Mickey meets a mysterious stranger named Francisco, who changes his life forever. The two begin an ongoing discussion about the true nature of being. Reluctantly at first, Mickey accepts the stranger’s help and starts to explore his own life in an effort to answer the riddles Francisco poses. Mickey starts to look at those aspects of himself that he has hidden behind a wall of wisecracks all his life. Eventually Mickey realizes that authentic humor opens him up to the power of spirit—allowing him to finally make real connections with people.
After taking the reader on a journey with Mickey, Chopra then spells out the lessons that Mickey’s story imparts to ten reasons to be optimistic, even in our challenging world. Chopra believes that the healthiest response to life is laughter from the heart, and even in the face of global turmoil, we can cultivate an internal sense of optimism. Rich with humor and practical advice, Why Is God Laughing? shows us without a doubt that there is always a reason to be grateful, that every possibility holds the promise of abundance, and that obstacles are simply opportunities in disguise. In the end, we really don’t need a reason to be happy. The power of happiness lies within each of us, just waiting to be unleashed. And Mickey Fellows’s journey shows us the way.
Meet Mickey Fellows. A successful L.A. comedian, he’s just a regular guy, with his fair share of fears, egocentricities, and addictions. After his father’s death, Mickey meets a mysterious stranger named Francisco, who changes his life forever. The two begin an ongoing discussion about the true nature of being. Reluctantly at first, Mickey accepts the stranger’s help and starts to explore his own life in an effort to answer the riddles Francisco poses. Mickey starts to look at those aspects of himself that he has hidden behind a wall of wisecracks all his life. Eventually Mickey realizes that authentic humor opens him up to the power of spirit—allowing him to finally make real connections with people.
After taking the reader on a journey with Mickey, Chopra then spells out the lessons that Mickey’s story imparts to ten reasons to be optimistic, even in our challenging world. Chopra believes that the healthiest response to life is laughter from the heart, and even in the face of global turmoil, we can cultivate an internal sense of optimism. Rich with humor and practical advice, Why Is God Laughing? shows us without a doubt that there is always a reason to be grateful, that every possibility holds the promise of abundance, and that obstacles are simply opportunities in disguise. In the end, we really don’t need a reason to be happy. The power of happiness lies within each of us, just waiting to be unleashed. And Mickey Fellows’s journey shows us the way.
192 pages, Paperback
Published December 29, 2009
93 people are currently reading
1158 people want to read
About the author
Deepak Chopra
690 books19.1k followersDeepak Chopra, MD serves as the Founder and Chairman of The Chopra Foundation, and Co-Founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing.
As a global leader and pioneer in the field of mind-body medicine, Chopra transforms the way the world views physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social wellness. Known as a prolific author of eighty books books with twenty-two New York Times best sellers in both fiction and non-fiction, his works have been published in more than forty-three languages.
Chopra’s medical training is in internal medicine and endocrinology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Dr. Chopra serves as Co-Founder and Chairman of The Chopra Center for Wellbeing, Founder of The Chopra Well on YouTube, Adjunct Professor of Executive Programs at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School, Columbia University, Assistant Clinical Professor, in the Family and Preventive Medicine Department at the University of California, San Diego, Health Sciences, Faculty at Walt Disney Imagineering, and Senior Scientist with The Gallup Organization.
GlobeIn acknowledges Chopra as "one of top ten most influential spiritual leaders around the world." TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as "one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century and credits him as "the poet-prophet of alternative medicine."
As a global leader and pioneer in the field of mind-body medicine, Chopra transforms the way the world views physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social wellness. Known as a prolific author of eighty books books with twenty-two New York Times best sellers in both fiction and non-fiction, his works have been published in more than forty-three languages.
Chopra’s medical training is in internal medicine and endocrinology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Dr. Chopra serves as Co-Founder and Chairman of The Chopra Center for Wellbeing, Founder of The Chopra Well on YouTube, Adjunct Professor of Executive Programs at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School, Columbia University, Assistant Clinical Professor, in the Family and Preventive Medicine Department at the University of California, San Diego, Health Sciences, Faculty at Walt Disney Imagineering, and Senior Scientist with The Gallup Organization.
GlobeIn acknowledges Chopra as "one of top ten most influential spiritual leaders around the world." TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as "one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century and credits him as "the poet-prophet of alternative medicine."
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 220 reviews
November 30, 2008
It's always good to be reminded not to buy into fear and not to be driven by one's ego. The storyline in this book is interesting, but I didn't find any big revelations. I was surprised by the assertion that sin does not really exist in this world and that God laughs when he thinks people believe there is sin. Really. Murder is not sin? Stealing is not sin? What are they? Oh, right, illusions. I don't buy it. I don't believe that grace comes from obtaining some secret knowledge or by understanding a great mystery. The events in the story don't justify the change in the main character's outlook on life. While the book contains some positive aphorisms, it is only so-so.
January 15, 2009
A great read. It is a spiritual book but not in the lecture style of so many of the genre. Deepak Chopra is inspiring and writes narratives that are easy to relate to. Definitely a worth read!! (and it only took 2 days to read)
September 12, 2025
Mi curiosidad por este libro nace de su título.
Que decir. Es un libro sobre espiritualidad, del tipo Paulo Coelho, Richard Bach, etc. Que deja un mensaje diferente para cada persona que lo lee. 3.3/5.0
Que decir. Es un libro sobre espiritualidad, del tipo Paulo Coelho, Richard Bach, etc. Que deja un mensaje diferente para cada persona que lo lee. 3.3/5.0
April 22, 2009
Ketika sedang luntang lantung ga karuan di toko buku Gramedia di Pekanbaru, tak sengaja mata melihat sebuah buku dengan judul “menggoda”.” Mengapa Tuhan Tertawa?”. Jadi inget si naga yang sering memanggil gus gieb dengan “han han“. Jadi teringat teman-teman dan keluarga di Jakarta. Homesick yang kuderita semakin kuat mendera *lebay mode on*.
Ternyata..setelah kudekati si buku tadi, nafsu membeli buku semakin kuat ketika kulihat nama sang penulis –Deepak Chopra-. Siapa coba yang tdk pernah mendengar nama ini. Sebuah nama yang identik dengan buku-buku tentang pencerahan, pencarian jati diri, spiritualisme dan semacamnya. Tanpa melihat isi dalam, penerjemah dan penerbitnya, aku langsung membawa si buku ke meja kasir.
Alhasil, sesampainya di hotel dengan semangat 45 kubuka sampul plastiknya dan langsung kulahap kata demi kata. Satu lembar..dua lembar....Semakin jauh ke dalam kerut di dahiku semakin bertambah... Gabungan antara bingung, ga ngerti dan melongo. Diceritakan sang tokoh -Mickey Fellows- sedang mengalami suatu masa perubahan besar dalam hidupnya. Perceraian, kematian ayahnya serta karir yang mulai menanjak. Diceritakan pula adegan demi adegan ketika Mickey bertemu dengan seorang sosok misterius yang menamakan dirinya Fransisco. Cerita berlanjut antara kejadian-kejadian aneh dan teka teki. Lihatlah ini:
Teka Teki Pertama:
“Ketakutan menceritakan banyak dusta, namun selalu dipercaya
Jika terjadi hal-hal yang buruk, ketakutan sungguh akan terbebas
Pada hari ketika engkau dilahirkan, ketakutan telah meracuni hatimu
Ketakutan akan tetap di sana ketika kau mati“
..........................berlanjut dengan teka keti kedua............
Teka Teki Kedua:
“Aku menjaga rahasiamu, engkau membayar upahku
Kau tahu, jika kau tidak membayarnya, maka aku tidak akan lagi bersikap manis
Perlindungan itu penting, bukankah itu yang kau katakan?
Hidup begitu hampa ketika kau tidak tahu cara menjalaninya
Siapakah aku?“
..............................teka teki ketiga........................
Teka Teki Ketiga:
“Suatu hari engkau mencintaiku, tapi esok kau membenciku
Namun, kau tidak pernah menepis kail dan umpan
Engkau meronta ingin melarikan diri, tetapi apa peduliku?
Jala yang kulempar adalah sebuah perangkap abadi“
...........................
Teka teki yang membingungkan. Tak hanya bagi Mickey, juga buatku. Kerutku semakin banyak…..kepalaku pusing…..sumpah, aku tak mengerti sebenernya inti cerita dan rangkaian teka tekinya dimana sih??? Terus apa hubungannya dengan pertanyaan “mengapa Tuhan tertawa?” semakin jauh kubaca, semakin tak bersemangat untuk meneruskan. Entah kenapa aku tak bisa menangkap jalan cerita apalagi pesan moral dan kesan mendalam yang umumnya kutemui dari tulisan-tulisannya Chopra. Yach, walaupun aku bukanlah pencinta sejati karya Chopra, paling tidak aku telah membaca satu dua judul bukunya. Untuk yang satu ini, aku merasa tertipu. Ekspektasi tinggi yang awalnya kurasakan ketika melihat namanya di sampul depan, semakin lama semakin pudar. Entahlah. Aku jadi bertanya, benarkah ini karyanya Deepak Chopra??? Apakah karena masalah terjemahan yang kurang qualified (lagi lagi masalah terjemahan)?? Ataukah hanya karena aku saja yang tdk bisa medapat mood dan feelnya?? Atau...memang akunya saja yang lemot dan ga nyambung. Hahahaha
Lantaran sudah terlanjur membeli bukunya, pun sudah diancam si naga agar membuat review, kuusahakan juga menamatkan buku setebal 241 halaman ini. Baru ketika memasuki bagian epilog dengan sub bab yang bertemakan “Jalan meraih kebahagiaan. Sepuluh prinsip optimisme spiritual”. Aku baru mulai “ngudeng” klo orang jawa bilang. Karena di bagian ini dijelaskan inti dari kisah sebelumnya. Walaupun kalau boleh jujur, ketika membaca kisah sebelumnya, aku sama sekali ga nyambung, apalagi bisa menemukan intinya :P
Menurut Om Chopra di buku ini, terdapat Jalan meraih kebahagiaan. Sepuluh prinsip optimisme spiritual
1. Respons yang paling sehat terhadap hidup adalah tertawa. penangkal ketakutan
2. Selalu ada alasan untuk berterima kasih. penangkal atas pengorbanan
3. Anda adalah bagian skema semesta. Tiada yang harus ditakuti. Anda aman. penangkal perasaan tidak aman
4. Jiwa anda menghargai setiap aspek kehidupan anda penangkal dari perasaan rendah diri
5. Ada sebuah rencana. Jiwa anda menetahui rencana itu. penangkal ketidakberartian
6. Ekstasi merupakan energi jiwa. Ketika hidup mengalir, ekstasi itu alami. penangkal kelesuan (kurang semangat)
7. Ada solusi kreatif untuk setiap problem. Setiap kemungkinan menggenggam harapan berlimpah. penangkal kegagalan
8. Berbagai rintangan adalah peluang yang tersembunyi penangkal. kekakuan
9. Evolusi memandu perjalanan menuju keinginan. penangkal masalah kemunafikan
10. Biarkan kebebasan terjadi. penangkal ketergantungan
Hmmmm… jadi ini ya intinya?? Tahu begitu ga perlu dech cape2 baca kisah sebelumnya yang mondar mandir ga jelas dan menghabiskan 187 halaman dari buku ini. Langsung aja hajar bagian ini. Ketauan dech klo aku adalah penyuka hal-hal yang serba praktis. Instant.
Secara ringkas sebenernya, buku ini bisa dirangkum dalam haiku berikut (lagi ikut-ikutan buat haiku):
Aahh.........
Ah ha !
Ha ha….
Selintas haiku itu tampak tak bermakna. But let wee see.
Aahh…..
Itu adalah masa ketika manusia menghadapi masalah, perubahan, ketakutan, cobaan dan masa lalu yang menekan. Kita cenderung untuk mengeluh, takut bahkan depresi. Lantas berteriak Aahh…. Aku lelah dengan hidup. Aku takut, aku tak sanggup.
Ah ha!
Adalah fase ketika ketika memperoleh ide, solusi, pencerahan dan mulai memperbaiki diri. Ah ha! Adalah sebuah ekspresi umum banyak orang ketika tiba-tiba muncul ide di kepala yang mulai stagnan.
Ha ha…
Ketika manusia udah mulai mendapat pencerahan, dia sudah mulai bisa mengatasi ketakutan-ketakutan yang sebenarnya dibuatnya sendiri. Hingga akhirnya kita sudah mulai bisa menertawakan diri sendiri. Menertawakan masa lalu dan menertawakan ketakutan itu sendiri.
Intinya, kalau kita lihat point 1 dari sepuluh prinsip di atas. Respons yang paling sehat terhadap hidup adalah tertawa. Jadi kalau kita ingin bahagia dan optimis, tertawa itu tidak hanya perlu, tetapi menjadi wajib. Kalau menggunakan prinsip ini, berarti orang yang paling sehat terhadap hidup adalah ‘orang gila’. Karena orang gila selalu tertawa. Ha ha ha. Tanpa beban, tanpa ketakutan dan tanpa kemunafikan. Orang gila adalah orang yang paling jujur. Karena orang gila tak terkotakan nilai, peraturan atau apapun yang sifatnya materi. Jadi..apakah kita harus jadi orang gila untuk bisa sehat terhadap hidup? Hahaha. Entahlah.
Awalnya aku hanya ingin memberi 2 bintang untuk buku ini. Karena sumpah..terjemahannya kacau balau (atau sebenernya aku saja yang ga nyambung sih). Tetapi, setelah dipertimbangkan lagi, kutambah jadi tiga bintang.
Satu bintang untuk judulnya yang provokatif serta nama seorang deepak chopra yang merangsang naluriku membeli buku ini
Dua bintang untuk bagian epilognya yang inspiratif
Tiga bintang karena aku ga tega memberi hanya dua bintang untuk karya Om Chopra.
Minus dua bintang karena
- terjemahannya yang kurang bisa kupahami
- lagi lagi terjemahan yang mengurangi nilai dari buku aslinya (mungkin, karena aku blm pernah baca buku aslinya)
Intinya, buku ini masih layaklah untuk dibaca. Tetapi sebaiknya baca buku aslinya, jangan versi terjemahan. Apalagi yang kubaca adalah versi terjemahan dari penerbit yang kurang dikenal. Karena takut anda akan kecewa karena terlalu memaang high expectation atas nama seorang Deepak Chopra. Dan kalau anda sudah mengalami kesulitan saat membaca bab bab awal, langsung lompat ke bagian epilognya. Karena disitulah intinya. Daripada buang buang waktu membaca sesuatu yang ga dimengerti kan?hehehe
Ternyata..setelah kudekati si buku tadi, nafsu membeli buku semakin kuat ketika kulihat nama sang penulis –Deepak Chopra-. Siapa coba yang tdk pernah mendengar nama ini. Sebuah nama yang identik dengan buku-buku tentang pencerahan, pencarian jati diri, spiritualisme dan semacamnya. Tanpa melihat isi dalam, penerjemah dan penerbitnya, aku langsung membawa si buku ke meja kasir.
Alhasil, sesampainya di hotel dengan semangat 45 kubuka sampul plastiknya dan langsung kulahap kata demi kata. Satu lembar..dua lembar....Semakin jauh ke dalam kerut di dahiku semakin bertambah... Gabungan antara bingung, ga ngerti dan melongo. Diceritakan sang tokoh -Mickey Fellows- sedang mengalami suatu masa perubahan besar dalam hidupnya. Perceraian, kematian ayahnya serta karir yang mulai menanjak. Diceritakan pula adegan demi adegan ketika Mickey bertemu dengan seorang sosok misterius yang menamakan dirinya Fransisco. Cerita berlanjut antara kejadian-kejadian aneh dan teka teki. Lihatlah ini:
Teka Teki Pertama:
“Ketakutan menceritakan banyak dusta, namun selalu dipercaya
Jika terjadi hal-hal yang buruk, ketakutan sungguh akan terbebas
Pada hari ketika engkau dilahirkan, ketakutan telah meracuni hatimu
Ketakutan akan tetap di sana ketika kau mati“
..........................berlanjut dengan teka keti kedua............
Teka Teki Kedua:
“Aku menjaga rahasiamu, engkau membayar upahku
Kau tahu, jika kau tidak membayarnya, maka aku tidak akan lagi bersikap manis
Perlindungan itu penting, bukankah itu yang kau katakan?
Hidup begitu hampa ketika kau tidak tahu cara menjalaninya
Siapakah aku?“
..............................teka teki ketiga........................
Teka Teki Ketiga:
“Suatu hari engkau mencintaiku, tapi esok kau membenciku
Namun, kau tidak pernah menepis kail dan umpan
Engkau meronta ingin melarikan diri, tetapi apa peduliku?
Jala yang kulempar adalah sebuah perangkap abadi“
...........................
Teka teki yang membingungkan. Tak hanya bagi Mickey, juga buatku. Kerutku semakin banyak…..kepalaku pusing…..sumpah, aku tak mengerti sebenernya inti cerita dan rangkaian teka tekinya dimana sih??? Terus apa hubungannya dengan pertanyaan “mengapa Tuhan tertawa?” semakin jauh kubaca, semakin tak bersemangat untuk meneruskan. Entah kenapa aku tak bisa menangkap jalan cerita apalagi pesan moral dan kesan mendalam yang umumnya kutemui dari tulisan-tulisannya Chopra. Yach, walaupun aku bukanlah pencinta sejati karya Chopra, paling tidak aku telah membaca satu dua judul bukunya. Untuk yang satu ini, aku merasa tertipu. Ekspektasi tinggi yang awalnya kurasakan ketika melihat namanya di sampul depan, semakin lama semakin pudar. Entahlah. Aku jadi bertanya, benarkah ini karyanya Deepak Chopra??? Apakah karena masalah terjemahan yang kurang qualified (lagi lagi masalah terjemahan)?? Ataukah hanya karena aku saja yang tdk bisa medapat mood dan feelnya?? Atau...memang akunya saja yang lemot dan ga nyambung. Hahahaha
Lantaran sudah terlanjur membeli bukunya, pun sudah diancam si naga agar membuat review, kuusahakan juga menamatkan buku setebal 241 halaman ini. Baru ketika memasuki bagian epilog dengan sub bab yang bertemakan “Jalan meraih kebahagiaan. Sepuluh prinsip optimisme spiritual”. Aku baru mulai “ngudeng” klo orang jawa bilang. Karena di bagian ini dijelaskan inti dari kisah sebelumnya. Walaupun kalau boleh jujur, ketika membaca kisah sebelumnya, aku sama sekali ga nyambung, apalagi bisa menemukan intinya :P
Menurut Om Chopra di buku ini, terdapat Jalan meraih kebahagiaan. Sepuluh prinsip optimisme spiritual
1. Respons yang paling sehat terhadap hidup adalah tertawa. penangkal ketakutan
2. Selalu ada alasan untuk berterima kasih. penangkal atas pengorbanan
3. Anda adalah bagian skema semesta. Tiada yang harus ditakuti. Anda aman. penangkal perasaan tidak aman
4. Jiwa anda menghargai setiap aspek kehidupan anda penangkal dari perasaan rendah diri
5. Ada sebuah rencana. Jiwa anda menetahui rencana itu. penangkal ketidakberartian
6. Ekstasi merupakan energi jiwa. Ketika hidup mengalir, ekstasi itu alami. penangkal kelesuan (kurang semangat)
7. Ada solusi kreatif untuk setiap problem. Setiap kemungkinan menggenggam harapan berlimpah. penangkal kegagalan
8. Berbagai rintangan adalah peluang yang tersembunyi penangkal. kekakuan
9. Evolusi memandu perjalanan menuju keinginan. penangkal masalah kemunafikan
10. Biarkan kebebasan terjadi. penangkal ketergantungan
Hmmmm… jadi ini ya intinya?? Tahu begitu ga perlu dech cape2 baca kisah sebelumnya yang mondar mandir ga jelas dan menghabiskan 187 halaman dari buku ini. Langsung aja hajar bagian ini. Ketauan dech klo aku adalah penyuka hal-hal yang serba praktis. Instant.
Secara ringkas sebenernya, buku ini bisa dirangkum dalam haiku berikut (lagi ikut-ikutan buat haiku):
Aahh.........
Ah ha !
Ha ha….
Selintas haiku itu tampak tak bermakna. But let wee see.
Aahh…..
Itu adalah masa ketika manusia menghadapi masalah, perubahan, ketakutan, cobaan dan masa lalu yang menekan. Kita cenderung untuk mengeluh, takut bahkan depresi. Lantas berteriak Aahh…. Aku lelah dengan hidup. Aku takut, aku tak sanggup.
Ah ha!
Adalah fase ketika ketika memperoleh ide, solusi, pencerahan dan mulai memperbaiki diri. Ah ha! Adalah sebuah ekspresi umum banyak orang ketika tiba-tiba muncul ide di kepala yang mulai stagnan.
Ha ha…
Ketika manusia udah mulai mendapat pencerahan, dia sudah mulai bisa mengatasi ketakutan-ketakutan yang sebenarnya dibuatnya sendiri. Hingga akhirnya kita sudah mulai bisa menertawakan diri sendiri. Menertawakan masa lalu dan menertawakan ketakutan itu sendiri.
Intinya, kalau kita lihat point 1 dari sepuluh prinsip di atas. Respons yang paling sehat terhadap hidup adalah tertawa. Jadi kalau kita ingin bahagia dan optimis, tertawa itu tidak hanya perlu, tetapi menjadi wajib. Kalau menggunakan prinsip ini, berarti orang yang paling sehat terhadap hidup adalah ‘orang gila’. Karena orang gila selalu tertawa. Ha ha ha. Tanpa beban, tanpa ketakutan dan tanpa kemunafikan. Orang gila adalah orang yang paling jujur. Karena orang gila tak terkotakan nilai, peraturan atau apapun yang sifatnya materi. Jadi..apakah kita harus jadi orang gila untuk bisa sehat terhadap hidup? Hahaha. Entahlah.
Awalnya aku hanya ingin memberi 2 bintang untuk buku ini. Karena sumpah..terjemahannya kacau balau (atau sebenernya aku saja yang ga nyambung sih). Tetapi, setelah dipertimbangkan lagi, kutambah jadi tiga bintang.
Satu bintang untuk judulnya yang provokatif serta nama seorang deepak chopra yang merangsang naluriku membeli buku ini
Dua bintang untuk bagian epilognya yang inspiratif
Tiga bintang karena aku ga tega memberi hanya dua bintang untuk karya Om Chopra.
Minus dua bintang karena
- terjemahannya yang kurang bisa kupahami
- lagi lagi terjemahan yang mengurangi nilai dari buku aslinya (mungkin, karena aku blm pernah baca buku aslinya)
Intinya, buku ini masih layaklah untuk dibaca. Tetapi sebaiknya baca buku aslinya, jangan versi terjemahan. Apalagi yang kubaca adalah versi terjemahan dari penerbit yang kurang dikenal. Karena takut anda akan kecewa karena terlalu memaang high expectation atas nama seorang Deepak Chopra. Dan kalau anda sudah mengalami kesulitan saat membaca bab bab awal, langsung lompat ke bagian epilognya. Karena disitulah intinya. Daripada buang buang waktu membaca sesuatu yang ga dimengerti kan?hehehe
February 19, 2010
Just like all of Chopra's novels, this one is wrought with philosophy! It's pretty easy to find in this one and he gives a discourse in the back that is wonderful!
Favorite Quote of the Book:
"you keep on doing what never worked in the first place...dont.
addictions are artificial substitutes...
you're stuck on things that never bring you what you really want
you can't have real roses so you buy plastic ones
you can't think sweet thoughts so you gobble down sugar
you can't figure out how to be happy so you make other people laugh"
That about says it all!
Favorite Quote of the Book:
"you keep on doing what never worked in the first place...dont.
addictions are artificial substitutes...
you're stuck on things that never bring you what you really want
you can't have real roses so you buy plastic ones
you can't think sweet thoughts so you gobble down sugar
you can't figure out how to be happy so you make other people laugh"
That about says it all!
March 19, 2018
I could have lived a full life without reading this book.
May 25, 2009
Hmmmmm...
Secara keseluruhan idenya hampir sama dengan fire in the heart yaitu pertemuan antara manusia terpilih dengan seorang incredible yang membuka paradigma berfikir walaupun menurut pendapat g lokasinya kurang tepat karena terasa kurang mistis (hahah, ga penting tapi g tetep merasa ada yang salah)
Lewat teka-teki, buku ini menyoroti sesuatu yang lekat pada diri setiap manusia yaitu takut, ego dan candu. Terdengar sangat bagus dan menjanjikan bukan? Tapi ternyata cerita dan candaan yang disodorkan garing, membingungkan dan kadang-kadang gantung. Aneh kalo inget buku-buku sebelumnya sangat sederhana tapi menginspirasi.
G heran, kenapa buku Copra (selain Buddha) selalu terkesan asal cetak. Buku ini yang terparah. G yang bukan pengamat teliti saja berkali-kali menemukan salah cetak dan proporsi yang kacau. Mengecewakan. G memang belum melihat edisi asli tapi kalau seperti ini terlihat jelas penerbit memaksakan penerbitan, kalau memang tidak bisa menerjemahkan/mencetak lebih baik atau minimal sama dengan edisi asli, bagusnya biarkan saja buku dalam kondisi awal,tidak usah diotak-atik. Biar kami pembaca saja yang berusaha memahaminya.
G hanya penikmat buku. Katakan apa yang akan terjadi kalo seorang penikmat tidak bisa lagi menikmati?
!885^^&*&$#HJlcPkjs@@*8***mk...
Secara keseluruhan idenya hampir sama dengan fire in the heart yaitu pertemuan antara manusia terpilih dengan seorang incredible yang membuka paradigma berfikir walaupun menurut pendapat g lokasinya kurang tepat karena terasa kurang mistis (hahah, ga penting tapi g tetep merasa ada yang salah)
Lewat teka-teki, buku ini menyoroti sesuatu yang lekat pada diri setiap manusia yaitu takut, ego dan candu. Terdengar sangat bagus dan menjanjikan bukan? Tapi ternyata cerita dan candaan yang disodorkan garing, membingungkan dan kadang-kadang gantung. Aneh kalo inget buku-buku sebelumnya sangat sederhana tapi menginspirasi.
G heran, kenapa buku Copra (selain Buddha) selalu terkesan asal cetak. Buku ini yang terparah. G yang bukan pengamat teliti saja berkali-kali menemukan salah cetak dan proporsi yang kacau. Mengecewakan. G memang belum melihat edisi asli tapi kalau seperti ini terlihat jelas penerbit memaksakan penerbitan, kalau memang tidak bisa menerjemahkan/mencetak lebih baik atau minimal sama dengan edisi asli, bagusnya biarkan saja buku dalam kondisi awal,tidak usah diotak-atik. Biar kami pembaca saja yang berusaha memahaminya.
G hanya penikmat buku. Katakan apa yang akan terjadi kalo seorang penikmat tidak bisa lagi menikmati?
!885^^&*&$#HJlcPkjs@@*8***mk...
December 8, 2021
I picked up this book - Why is God Laughing? by Deepak Chopra two weeks ago as a way to get myself back into a reading mood. And because I hate surprises, I read the reviews before I even started reading 😂 and the reviews weren’t all that great but I continued to read anyway…. N’ now that I’m done, I can honestly say it’s not all that bad. I think the book is a clear example of “if you ever have to explain a joke then it’s probably not that funny” 😂
Okay maybe that’s a little harsh but here is what I mean… I think the last pages where the author summarizes and shares insights is really great! -and I took notes and everything. But the fact that it exists means that the main tale for 80% of the book was clearly not effective at demonstrating that 20% of insight… which means, this book could have easily been a viral TED Talk of the last 20% of the book 😂
Anyway, in short it was an okay read with some really valuable takeaways but not like a “stop the clock life changing words” moment… which I guess is not what every book ought to be.
Okay maybe that’s a little harsh but here is what I mean… I think the last pages where the author summarizes and shares insights is really great! -and I took notes and everything. But the fact that it exists means that the main tale for 80% of the book was clearly not effective at demonstrating that 20% of insight… which means, this book could have easily been a viral TED Talk of the last 20% of the book 😂
Anyway, in short it was an okay read with some really valuable takeaways but not like a “stop the clock life changing words” moment… which I guess is not what every book ought to be.
December 4, 2008
I still don't know why God is laughing, but I know why Deepak Chopra is laughing...
Read
April 3, 2015Good reminders, but I wasn't wild about the format or the allegory. Still, the insights were helpful. And I like that the audio was read by the author.
May 7, 2022
It’s a good reminder of how to manage the difficult things in life - fear, ego, etc. However, the literature itself lacked a ‘wow’ factor that could have possibly drawn me more into the narrative.
May 28, 2019
Un libro que te invita a reflexionar sobre distintas reacciones que tenemos los seres humanos en nuestra vida cotidiana
July 23, 2015
This book is divided into two parts: an illustrative story at the beginning, and some spiritual principles from Mr Chopra at the end. The story is mildly entertaining but the principles are flat and uninspiring. The principles don't reference the story at all and it felt like two different books. The story was interesting but unbelievable and the book as a whole is not a must read. It's not a bad book, just not inspiring or educational.
March 18, 2016
For someone who is already very much aware of some of theses subjects... It´s more, of the same thing! As was expecting a diferente spin in the laughter effect really... Which is something I think is powerfull and still needs to be explored... But this wasn´t a brilliant essay on the matter...
However, I can see that for people that aren´t yet in to these things, that it can be rated better...
For me it´s just average!
However, I can see that for people that aren´t yet in to these things, that it can be rated better...
For me it´s just average!
June 28, 2017
This book was ok, I guess, nothing spectacular. The audio book version was read by the author, and apparently Mr. Chopra has about as much personality as a pile of dirt. And there's a lot of detail, where detail is not necessary. It's not an architecture book - who cares whether your bedroom is located off the foyer or down the hall? Given a little more enthusiasm and a little less detail, this book could have been a lot better.
October 6, 2009
About half-way through, I was so bored I started skimming the pages until it was over. There were some good one liners, but overall it was so blah!! There are so many other self-help/inspirational books that are so much better.
I saw an interview Deepak Chopra did once and thought he was so arrogant.
Yeah, not a fan.
I saw an interview Deepak Chopra did once and thought he was so arrogant.
Yeah, not a fan.
March 17, 2009
I liked the format of this book in that it was easy to understand and he slips important messages in without beating you over the head with it. The last section of the book was the most helpful to me and something i know I'll reference again and again. This made me want to read more of his books!
March 5, 2010
The best part of this book was the epilog
June 26, 2019
¿De Qué Se Ríe Dios?
¿Como me ayudo este libro?
Este libro me ayudo mucho en todo lo que es el lado espiritual de la vida. El libro trata de un joven comediante, de casi 30 años, llamado Mickey. Al principio del libro, muere alguien muy importante en su vida, y Mickey no sabe cómo reaccionar o cómo sentirse al respecto de la muerte de esta persona tan especial.
Un dia, Mickey conoce al hombre que cambiará su vida por completo. Un hombre llamado Francisco toma a mickey como su aprendiz y le empieza a dar acertijos de la vida. Le enseña el peligro de vivir con temor y de usar a su ego. Le empieza a enseñar a vivir una vida llena de gozo y sin aprobación de los demás.
Poco a poco, Mickey logra desapegarse de la superficie y conectarse con su alma, y con Dios. Este libro me enseño tantas lecciones, como a Mickey. Les contare las más valiosas, para hacerlo corto.
El temor te hace vivir en todos los lugares, menos el presente. Se podría decir que me considero una persona bastante preocupada en ciertas áreas de mi vida. Este libro me ayudó a darme cuenta que el temor es una mentira. El temor no existe, no tiene tiempo para hacerlo, es como el pasado y el futuro. Uno ya se fue y el otro no ha llegado. Vivir con temor es igual de tonto, o más, que vivir en alguno de estos dos. Explica que, el temor te roba de tu presente. Es más fácil de lo que pensamos, vivir sin temor. Solo tenemos que entender que es una mentira y ya.
¿De Qué Se Ríe Dios? Pues de todo. Dios se ríe de todo por que sabe gozar la vida, por que sabe que la mejor medicina es el gozo, el puro gozo.
¿Qué fue lo que mas me impacto?
Me impactó la manera que Deepak Chopra pudo transmitir este mensaje. Los temas que se tocan no son fáciles, vemos cómo pueden destruir la vida de una persona, y por ende la de todos.
El autor logra contar la historia de una manera tan visible y tan detallada que me puedo sentir cómo el estudiante de Francisco. Esto me impacto por que hizo que la historia fuera mucho más real y que pudiera tocar mi corazón fácilmente, como debe de ser.
¿Cual fue mi frase favorita?
´´La muerte es vida en otra frecuencia. La música no termina solo por que una persona no puede escucharla. ´´
Puedo decir que esta frase le trajo paz a mi corazón. Gente muy especial para mi ha ´´muerto´´ y sentí tanta tranquilidad al saber que estoy de acuerdo con esto. Que se que esta gente no desapareció, no murió, no se fue. Sus almas están, hasta puede que sea en esta misma tierra.
Es difícil, esto de la muerte, y es difícil no estar triste cuando pasa algo así con alguien que amas. Pero esta es de las pocas frases que me ha hecho entender que no es el fin del mundo ni lo más feo, al contrario.
¿Como me ayudo este libro?
Este libro me ayudo mucho en todo lo que es el lado espiritual de la vida. El libro trata de un joven comediante, de casi 30 años, llamado Mickey. Al principio del libro, muere alguien muy importante en su vida, y Mickey no sabe cómo reaccionar o cómo sentirse al respecto de la muerte de esta persona tan especial.
Un dia, Mickey conoce al hombre que cambiará su vida por completo. Un hombre llamado Francisco toma a mickey como su aprendiz y le empieza a dar acertijos de la vida. Le enseña el peligro de vivir con temor y de usar a su ego. Le empieza a enseñar a vivir una vida llena de gozo y sin aprobación de los demás.
Poco a poco, Mickey logra desapegarse de la superficie y conectarse con su alma, y con Dios. Este libro me enseño tantas lecciones, como a Mickey. Les contare las más valiosas, para hacerlo corto.
El temor te hace vivir en todos los lugares, menos el presente. Se podría decir que me considero una persona bastante preocupada en ciertas áreas de mi vida. Este libro me ayudó a darme cuenta que el temor es una mentira. El temor no existe, no tiene tiempo para hacerlo, es como el pasado y el futuro. Uno ya se fue y el otro no ha llegado. Vivir con temor es igual de tonto, o más, que vivir en alguno de estos dos. Explica que, el temor te roba de tu presente. Es más fácil de lo que pensamos, vivir sin temor. Solo tenemos que entender que es una mentira y ya.
¿De Qué Se Ríe Dios? Pues de todo. Dios se ríe de todo por que sabe gozar la vida, por que sabe que la mejor medicina es el gozo, el puro gozo.
¿Qué fue lo que mas me impacto?
Me impactó la manera que Deepak Chopra pudo transmitir este mensaje. Los temas que se tocan no son fáciles, vemos cómo pueden destruir la vida de una persona, y por ende la de todos.
El autor logra contar la historia de una manera tan visible y tan detallada que me puedo sentir cómo el estudiante de Francisco. Esto me impacto por que hizo que la historia fuera mucho más real y que pudiera tocar mi corazón fácilmente, como debe de ser.
¿Cual fue mi frase favorita?
´´La muerte es vida en otra frecuencia. La música no termina solo por que una persona no puede escucharla. ´´
Puedo decir que esta frase le trajo paz a mi corazón. Gente muy especial para mi ha ´´muerto´´ y sentí tanta tranquilidad al saber que estoy de acuerdo con esto. Que se que esta gente no desapareció, no murió, no se fue. Sus almas están, hasta puede que sea en esta misma tierra.
Es difícil, esto de la muerte, y es difícil no estar triste cuando pasa algo así con alguien que amas. Pero esta es de las pocas frases que me ha hecho entender que no es el fin del mundo ni lo más feo, al contrario.
July 21, 2019
mi-a plăcut partea poveștii în sine, a „parabolei” pe care autorul încearcă să o construiască. a inserat câteva chestii deep care mi-au plăcut, în rest mi se pare că a făcut o ciorbă spirituală mai nașpa decât aș fi putut face eu. din nou, povestea a fost faină, există câteva metafore și scene care mi-au plăcut mult, care au sens, sunt ca lumea. deci cumva prima parte a cărții (the novel itself) e chiar ok. apoi vine partea „abstractă” în care dr. Deepak Chopra ne înșiră vreo 12 (sau 20? it doesn't matter anyway) reguli pentru a trăi în armonie and shit like that. niște chestii care îmi amintesc de osho, cumva (which is not bad, I guess, doar că spiritualitatea lui mă lasă rece, ca să nu spun altceva). și ar fi fost okay chiar și așa, don't get me wrong, nu arunc pe geam o carte fiindcă îmi amintește de x autor, dar mi se pare că Deepak C. nu prea știe ce vrea să ne spună de fapt. sau n-am înțeles eu - și asta e posibil, of course. la un moment dat vorbește despre Dumnezeu ca de o entitate, mai apoi ca despre un concept uman, apoi pare că îl tratează ca pe o conștiință a universului; pe scurt, încearcă să facă din ideile sale ceva abstract și pretențios, când în 5 paragrafe medii ar fi putut rezuma tot ce avea în minte, fără a fi nevoie de 20 de pagini în plus ca să-și explice crezurile și „regulile” după care el se ghidează în viață. also, ce a zis nu mi s-a părut deloc profund sau edificator, nimic nou, „inovativ” în ce privește spiritualitatea modernă, deși pare să aibă pretenția unei perspective revelatoare. asta m-a dezamăgit cel mai mult, că mă așteptam la niște concepte cât de cât interesante, măcar o reinterpretare a unor idei vechi, ori at least să fi avut un discurs bine definit. în schimb am găsit niște idei EXTREM DE VAG DEFINITE care m-au dus la confuzie și exasperare. autorul vrea neapărat să scrie ceva care să sune bine și să dea aparența că are sens, aruncând la întâmplare niște idei pe care încearcă mai apoi să le lege, fără succes. cred că ar fi fost mai okay să lase doar prima parte a cărții, fără discursul autorului de la sfârșit (în care se presupune că trebuia ȘI să ne facă să înțelegem mai ca lumea ce a vrut să zică în prima parte, which doesn't happen). „parabola” cu comediantul ăsta care-și pierde tatăl și apoi e condus spre spiritualitate și regăsire de sine de către un necunoscut care apare din neant, e mai valoroasă de una singură și interesantă de interpretat. rating de 3, cu indulgență.
April 17, 2024
Small and simple with some great nuggets but I found the story to be a bit gimmicky to get his points across. The last section when it loses the plot and just goes into the philosophy hit best.
The nuggets that I found note worthy....
"When you aren't living in fear, you see the truth. It becomes obvious"
"Talking to the dead assumes that they are dead. They aren't. Death is life on another frequency. The music doesn't end just because someone can't hear it"
"When the pain of being the same becomes greater than the pain of being different, you change."
"But normal was shifting, and he wasn't scared now"
"God's world opens when you know the difference between illusion and reality. As I told you before, you have bought into the illusion that you are a person searching for his soul. The reality is that you are a soul playing the role of a person. Once you truly get that, you won't be a prisoner anymore. You'll be free." "There's nothing to feat, nothing to lose, nothing to be attached to. You won't recognize your old self anymore. You will get to be who you really are."
"Existence is pure gold. Nothing else is needed"
On mystics vs. materialists and the things that sustain life/make them worth living- beauty, truth, art, love, morality, community, discovery, curiosity, inner growth, higher consciousness: "They all have intuition in common. There is no objective proof that love is beautiful, or that truth can set you free. Rather, you must come to these realizations through your own inner experience. On the spiritual path everything depends on a shift in consciousness; nothing depends on atoms colliding."
"The expansion of consciousness is the divine plan."
To be happy at the soul level, 3 things are required:
YOU ACT WITHOUT EFFORT.
YOU FEEL JOY IN WHAT YOU DO.
YOUR ACTIONS BRING RESULTS.
You can ask:
AM I ACTING EASILY, WITHOUT STRUGGLE?
DO I ENJOY WHAT I'M DOING?
ARE RESULTS COMING OF THEIR OWN ACCORD?
"Learn to see anger as only energy, like electricity. Electricity isn't about you. Neither is anger. It's universal and sticks to anything that seems unfair or unjust. Learn to let it go."
The nuggets that I found note worthy....
"When you aren't living in fear, you see the truth. It becomes obvious"
"Talking to the dead assumes that they are dead. They aren't. Death is life on another frequency. The music doesn't end just because someone can't hear it"
"When the pain of being the same becomes greater than the pain of being different, you change."
"But normal was shifting, and he wasn't scared now"
"God's world opens when you know the difference between illusion and reality. As I told you before, you have bought into the illusion that you are a person searching for his soul. The reality is that you are a soul playing the role of a person. Once you truly get that, you won't be a prisoner anymore. You'll be free." "There's nothing to feat, nothing to lose, nothing to be attached to. You won't recognize your old self anymore. You will get to be who you really are."
"Existence is pure gold. Nothing else is needed"
On mystics vs. materialists and the things that sustain life/make them worth living- beauty, truth, art, love, morality, community, discovery, curiosity, inner growth, higher consciousness: "They all have intuition in common. There is no objective proof that love is beautiful, or that truth can set you free. Rather, you must come to these realizations through your own inner experience. On the spiritual path everything depends on a shift in consciousness; nothing depends on atoms colliding."
"The expansion of consciousness is the divine plan."
To be happy at the soul level, 3 things are required:
YOU ACT WITHOUT EFFORT.
YOU FEEL JOY IN WHAT YOU DO.
YOUR ACTIONS BRING RESULTS.
You can ask:
AM I ACTING EASILY, WITHOUT STRUGGLE?
DO I ENJOY WHAT I'M DOING?
ARE RESULTS COMING OF THEIR OWN ACCORD?
"Learn to see anger as only energy, like electricity. Electricity isn't about you. Neither is anger. It's universal and sticks to anything that seems unfair or unjust. Learn to let it go."
April 4, 2022
I feel like maybe 2 stars is a bit harsh, but I really wanted MORE from this book. Or maybe I just didn’t like the structure of it.
I blitzed through the story/parable part of it, but didn’t necessarily love it. I struggled with the lessons as well, because they were very brief and succinct, which is normally good, but I found that I myself struggling to let the information sink in after such a quick blip. That, though, is probably more to do with how I read the book. I think had I planned to read a lesson a day, I would have enjoyed the book more (or even better, if I had read a lesson and then discussed with a friend). As it was, I struggled to process the information, and just felt rather let down.
There were some really interesting ideas that I will continue to think over; the book just needs a little more space than I could give it.
I blitzed through the story/parable part of it, but didn’t necessarily love it. I struggled with the lessons as well, because they were very brief and succinct, which is normally good, but I found that I myself struggling to let the information sink in after such a quick blip. That, though, is probably more to do with how I read the book. I think had I planned to read a lesson a day, I would have enjoyed the book more (or even better, if I had read a lesson and then discussed with a friend). As it was, I struggled to process the information, and just felt rather let down.
There were some really interesting ideas that I will continue to think over; the book just needs a little more space than I could give it.
August 3, 2017
I had no expectation and guess when I first bought this book. I certainly had no clue at all. But then when I tried to give it a go, I was quickly absorbed to the remarkable Journey of Mike Fellow. This book offers an interesting perception which can be a material to discuss with your friends later on. It showed me a new enlightment which I never had anywhere before and sometimes I questioned them myself. I love the spiritual thought were delivered with a great story which surprisingly not gonna bore you and kinda made me guessing how it's gonna end. Plus point, it has lots of relatable quotes.
May 16, 2023
I wanted to know what Mr Chopra has offered to new age followers. I found it confusing. He seems to be saying the secret to life is to settle, be content and trust that it is all good. He agrees we are all craving something bigger but his answer is just be content with what is in you. As a Bible believer, I found it sad, empty and dangerous. Mr. Chopra concludes by saying that at the end of time he expects to be greeted by Love and I would just warn him that if he continues ignore the reality of a God who deserves better than our best, then he will see Love at the end of time and realize that the ultimate agony is being cast away from it.
December 28, 2017
I don't think I really got the just of what Deepak was saying in this book. Mickey was afraid of fear, but then, what really happened to him in the end? I felt like I didn't really know Mickey as intimately as I would have hoped, it felt as though I was only meeting him on the surface. I liked the tidbits that Deepak shared at the end of the book, it made me realize how important certain things are, and how looking at our lives can impact many people around us. Overall, an 'okay' book, but nothing that I would remember for years to come. I don't think these types of books really jive with me, for some reason or other.
January 19, 2018
Having now read a few titles by Deepak Chopra, I have to say that his work has a bit of substance. I would not suggest that one try to read everything he has written, but his rereading and rewriting of the Buddha was certainly a wonderful and eye opening book. I enjoyed the tale in Why is God laughing. I am already sensitized to the ideas that are presented in it, so in the absence of anything astounding I do not feel that I need to keep this book on my shelf. Having said that, It will not hurt you to read this book if you are searching on this wavelength.
July 27, 2020
Nunca leí a Chopra, solamente hice meditaciones guiadas y leí algún que otro escrito de él ¿De qué se ríe Dios? "lo considero un libro de lectura fácil, entretenido que deja enseñanza sobre cómo desprendense de lo conocido para poder vivir la felicidad plena. Aquellos que quizás tengan un mayor conocimiento en lecturas de dicho autor o incluso sobre temas espirituales lo considero bastante básico pero aquellos que se inician en la materia o necesitan una motivación para hacer algún cambio en su vida, este es el libro indicado.
July 7, 2024
The story is an archetype of awakening. It’s not written in a grand literary style, but that is beside the point. Your soul will recognize the archetype of awakening, and you will begin to be able to imagine how it could unfold in your own lifetime. Your ego will only accept the message if you are ready to embark on the journey. Not every spiritual text will appeal to every seeker, but this one spoke to me.
The last paragraph of the book has the most profound and moving imagery. Flip to the back and read that first if you are unsure about this book.
The last paragraph of the book has the most profound and moving imagery. Flip to the back and read that first if you are unsure about this book.
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