Why Is God Laughing?: The Path to Joy and Spiritual Optimism

By Deepak Chopra

Book Overview

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 us: 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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0307408892
• ISBN13: 9780307408891
• Release Date: December 2009
• Publisher: Harmony/Rodale/Convergent
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.5" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

The very best combination of Fun-to-Read and Food-for-Thought!

I'm so glad I purchased this book before I left on vacation. In Why Is God Laughing?: The Path to Joy and Spiritual Optimism I was surprised to find the very rare combination of a book that is both fun to read and food for thought. It was a fun, fast read. And by the time I reached the end of the story I was refreshed and inspired. I was also hungry for more. Thankfully that's where Chopra then shares 10 great principles that free our minds and fill our hearts. Namaste.

Intense

This is one of Chopra's best. This book makes you stop and think - a lot. But it is an easy read as well.

I found the answer..................

This is probably the funniest book Deepak has written and at the same time points to the TRUTH.................we make God out to be this judging monster...............then we realize that God doesn't judge, we do and we are the monsters, our own worst enemies!!!

Maybe Because He Gets the Joke?

"Either you're a person wondering if you have a soul, or you're a soul who knows that being a person isn't real." - From the book For comedian Mickey Fellows, life is about to get very interesting. On the heels of his father's death, Mickey meets a mysterious stranger named Francisco on the beach. Tucking riddles in his clothing, posing profound questions and inviting Mickey to engage in some potentially embarrassing--even dangerous--situations will forever alter the jaded comedian. Who is Francisco? Out of all the people in L.A., why did he pick Mickey for an enigmatic "process"? Will Mickey have to trade his sense of humor--his very livelihood--in order to become fearless? Or is it like Mickey's dead father says: God is laughing...always? So what is it that God's laughing about? What does Mickey's dead father know now that he's on the other side--and wants desperately to communicate to his son? And what does spirituality have to do with off-color jokes and humor in general? In the novel Why Is God Laughing, prolific author, spiritual teacher and medical doctor Deepak Chopra offers readers an entertaining parable about one man confronting his deepest fears during his unusual interactions with a man named Francisco. As he begins to ask questions about life and his reason for being, Mickey echoes the musings of millions in these hectic times. Originally, I had bought Why Is God Laughing? as a Father's Day present for my husband, especially since he enjoys Chopra's storytelling in both his fiction and non-fiction books. Turns out, though, that *I* ended up devouring it before my husband could even begin reading! And a thoroughly enjoyable read it was--especially as it's filled with hilarious jokes! Here are a few of the interesting passages I highlighted throughout the book as I was reading: * "Death is life on another frequency. The music doesn't end just because someone can't hear it." * "Fear cannot be trusted." * "You will correct the mistake that lies at the very root of victimization: a belief that the movie controls you, instead of the other way around." * "Once you have authorship of your self, you come out of silence into activity to write your own story." * "Whatever captivates you is also trying to wake you up." * "So how does God want us to grow, in what direction, according to what guidelines? None. You get to grow the way you want to, by following your own desires...The things that deeply interest you play the role of God." * "...take your place inside the drama with confidence. Everything is as it should be. The role assigned to you is right and proper. It is tailor-made for you, for your complete self." In the tradition of Father Joseph Girzone's Joshua series, Why Is God Laughing? presents gentle challenges from a humble stranger. Timeless and universal truths are shared in a non-threatening way throughout the story, and Chopra shares invaluable spiritual insight at the end with ten transformational principles tha

"Laughing" is contagious!

We're each on a journey in this life, and our passions help us to get there. The lead character in this story, Mickey, is a comedian, and so he gets to where he needs to go through humor. Ultimately, we're all headed in the same direction, to re-discover who we are. We learn from each other, and we can certainly learn from Mickey. Deepak is a gifted writer. The story unfolds with a series of riddles, and jokes sprinkled throughout. And then almost as a bonus, we get the lessons, the messages, so that we are guided along in our own journey. Sweet, and profound. Another terrific book from Deepak Chopra.