.... but maybe humor does have something something to do with Buddhism. Having a sense of humor about yourself seems a mighty powerful antidote to anger. Anger is a terrible obstacle to those trying to tread the narrow path of Buddhist practice. A great passage in the currently fashionable book, "The Heart of the World," by Ian Baker recounts this episode deep in the trackless jungle of Pemako:

"Today was particularly bad for me as the rain would not let up and the leeches were relentless. ... Sloshing along the muddy trail in the pounding rain I came across a large, slimy log that had fallen chest high across our brush-choked path. In my agitated state I viewed the log as a menacing obstacle that was clearly separate, in my way and against me. With no way under or around I jumped, stomach first, and slid over the top. Regaining my balance on the other side, I was infuriated at the mud and decaying mush that seemd to have covered the entire front of my body. Rubbing off the crud I cursed the log and the goddamned rain. It was my brother Todd who suggested that we wait and see how the Lama could handle this formidable impediment. Surely this test would break him.

"Hiding off the trail we peeked through the underbrush just in time to see him trudge up to the log. Ever smiling he took a couple of steps back and tried to jump with a running start. With not enough momentum - coupled with a portly belly - he slid back down on the same side of the log and landed on his back in a large puddle. Shaking his rain-drenched head he burst into spasms of uproarious laughter. Staggering to his feet he repeated the same manuever - with the same results - no less than 3 times. With each collapse back into the puddle his laugher gre stronger and louder. On his fourth attempt he made it over the top and slid headlong into the muddy puddle on the other side. Again, the laughter was knee-slapping. Continuing to chuckle, he wiped himself off as best he could - lovingly patted the log as though it were a dear friend - and proceeded up the trail - smiling. Todd and I just stared at each other."

Perhaps Buddhism for me doesn't involve trying to attain some higher meditative state, but just being able to handle life's hurdles with the same tranquility.