The Devil's Advocate

The Gods are Laughing at Us: Black Humor and its Function in Spirituality

by John Shaden

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There are many different types or genres of comedy, some vanilla, some brutal and some that are flat out bizarre (I’m talking to you, Kipper Kids!!!!). For the sake of this article, I'm going to be referencing my favorite: black, morbid, and offensive humor. Ahhh, even saying it makes me float away. One thing that helps me shed the anxiety and trepidation of modern everyday life before I pray, meditate, spellcast, etc. is listen to comedy records (and some music, but separate subject) and laugh my balls off. It helps center and focus myself for the task at hand. Richard Pryor, George Carlin (obviously), Bill Hicks, Neil Hamburger, Doug Stanhope and Louis CK to name a few. The process of laughing seems to work as a pressure release valve for human emotions. This is why most people enjoy comedy. But, as it turns out it is also a wonderful way to ground before the work begins My practice seems to work tremendously after burning off the excess emotions.

Now, it doesn't help with all tasks. Any type of revenge or war-like rituals simply fizzle out if I let the psychic sludge run out of me before said rite is performed and also considering that the rage is what moves the godd*mn ball into the endzone. Other than that, giggle away.