Second level of play : Hedonism – the pursuit of pleasure.

Pleasure is a helpful tonic for the overly serious and over responsible.

Whiny Simon looking `concerned’.

Hedonism is the pursuit of pleasure and the desire to minimise pain and suffering. Hedonism is the dominant philosophy of the western world. Hedonists believe and hope that having our desires fulfilled will bring us happiness, pleasure and joy. Pleasure is a helpful tonic for the over serious and responsible. Jesters, clowns and fools bring playfulness, spontaneity and joy to the ruler’s court when it is most needed.  

Bringing life to work: the benefits of pleasure.

Jack `the amateur tech guy’ gets enormous pleasure from problem solving his co-workers computer problems. He enjoys feeling helpful and achieving a sense of mastery over technical problems. Jack’s banter and good humour helps relieve the grind of the day to day routine of office work. Jack likes to show off his cooking skills by bringing a home- made cake into the office staff afternoon teas. Jill suggests the staff team bring their pets to work once a month. The team really enjoyed showing off their `fur children’ and having animals around the office. This lifted office morale and injected some fun and novelty into the workplace. Playful eruptions disrupt and suspend the routines and habits of work and whisper to us provocatively: `work is not an end in itself.’ Play is an invitation into the realm of pleasure , freedom and aliveness.

The dark side of hedonism.

Whiny Simon first became aware of the negative impacts of climate after one of his many overseas trip. Whiny Simon is ‘very concerned’ about climate change issues – particularly on the poor and vulnerable. He also loves to travel and has racked up many frequent flyer points. He felt a twinge of discomfort and inner conflict that his lifestyle was adding to the problem of global warming. Simon resolved this problem by ignoring it! He decided to mix business and pleasure by adding some volunteer work to his holiday plans. There were many opportunities to assist building orphanages and other projects.  After the end of the lockdown, he is looking forward to more overseas adventures to help the poor.

Hedonism has a dark side. It can be a way of avoiding suffering and pain. A temporary sedative or analgesic  – like  the advertisement says: `relieves pain and brings temporary relief.’ As an avoidance, hedonistic pleasures numb us to the pain and discomfort that can motivate us to make changes to our lives. Dissatisfaction is a great motivator to go beyond the existing `playing by the rules’ story and explore other alternatives ways of living.

The pursuit of pure hedonism is self-defeating and leads to failure. As an end in itself, hedonism does not produce long term satisfaction or happiness. Avoiding suffering in all it’s forms, ultimately minimises our ability to gain satisfaction. The satisfaction that comes from facing obstacles, striving for a better life or a more inspiring and uplifting life – this is not a life free from suffering but learns to embrace discomfort and suffering for a higher purpose.

Levels of Play: playing by the rules.

Hard work and getting qualified works for most of us. Some people manage to find work they really enjoy or find meaningful…Rules provide a level of security, predictability and communicate clear expectations around human behaviour.

Play has many layers of depth. `Playing by the Rules’ is the first level of play. It goes like this – get an education, an apprenticeship or a tertiary degree. Those who are lucky enough will get a secure, high paying job or start a successful business. This is the ticket to buying a house, a mortgage and being more attractive to a potential partner. We exchange time, money and energy for financial security, status and the things that money can buy. There are exceptions to the rule. Some people choose singleness as a `lifestyle choice.’ For others, a relationship breakdown, death of a partner or the imbalance between the sexes may mean temporary or long-term singleness through no fault of their own.

Let’s look at a `fictional’ couple called `Jack and Jill’. Jack and Jill climbed the hill of education and secured good jobs. They have a house in the suburbs with a large mortgage, 2 children, a daughter and son (Charlie and Travis) and a dog called ruffles. Jack and Jill will spend most of their lives working to pay off a house (and any other debts). They want to accumulate enough superannuation for a comfortable retirement. Outside of work, Jill really enjoys her weekly yoga class and likes reading self-help, motivational books like `Women Who Swim with the Sharks’, `Fearless Woman’ and `The Power of Me.’ Jack loves his Australian Rules Football, fixing things and is an avid reader of sports magazines. They both love Netflix and renovation shows. Jack and Jill are a `down to earth’, practical couple who are very accepting of other people.

In their retirement, Jack and Jill plan to travel, spend more time on their hobbies and are hoping for grandchildren. Jack and Jill aren’t religious people. Jack thinks churches are full of ` money grubbing-hypocrites’. Jack can put aside his opinions and relate well to people in general. Jill has some vague, fleeting thoughts on the possibility life after death. Jack and Jill are very self- reliant people. If there is no God or certainty beyond this life; then we must strive to look after ourselves and each other. In a universe where God is absent; we are all alone. Like cosmic orphans, we must look to our own efforts to survive through extended family, friends and relying on the state. 

Jack is very popular around the office. He’s very good at fixing things unlike `whiny Simon.’ Jack likes to help his co-workers with their computer problems. He has a practical knack for learning new skills and teaching others. Whiny Simon is usually ‘too busy’ to help other people. He always has time to ‘volunteer’ his opinions about the latest social cause or grievance to his jaded co-workers. Whiny Simon is a humanitarian; an advocate for many a good cause who dislikes people. Shaking his head in dismay, Whiny Simon can’t believe that most people stubbornly cling to their ‘outdated’ and `reactionary’ views that hold back progress. Whiny Simon prides himself on being ‘outspoken’. He loves posting on Facebook to share his thoughts with a broader audience. People usually find excuses to avoid Whiny Simon at work.

Jill is admired by her peers for her calm temperament and ability to make good decisions in stressful situations. Jill’s boss, Steve, nominated her for an `Emerging Leaders’ program at work. Jill struggles with another co-worker, Georgia or ‘Regan’. Georgia was nicknamed Regan after the young female lead character in the movie, `The Exorcist’, who was possessed by a demon. Some of Georgia’s co-workers believe she is possessed by an evil spirit. Georgia’s icy, cold presence causes the room temperature to drop by 10 degrees whenever she enters the office. Ruby the admin officer joked that everyone was waiting for Georgia’s head to rotate around 180 degrees while the demonic spirit openly manifests itself. Georgia resents Jill because she received a promotion for her good work. Georgia can’t understand this. ‘I’ve been in the job for six months…. where’s my promotion?’, she thinks to herself. Georgia feels that she is a victim of a massive systemic injustice.

Playing by the rules has many advantages.

Hard work and getting qualified works for most of us. Some people manage to find work they really enjoy or find meaningful. Jack and Jill have more freedom, comfort and choice over their lives. Rules provide a level of security, predictability and communicate clear expectations around human behaviour. What if Peter, the payroll officer decided to give into his non-conformist playful streak and take 4 weeks holiday leave without going through the formal leave application processes. While Peter is laying on the beach at Bali enjoying the sound of the waves breaking onto the sand, his angry co-workers can’t understand why they were not paid this fortnight. Whiny Simon and Georgia have the time to ride their favourite hobby horses and pursue grievances. For many people who are materially poor, life is a struggle to get the basics and with fewer options. Involuntary poverty is not much fun. People who ‘play by the rules’ can be very resentful of other people who `don’t pull their weight’ or the `work shy’ like their welfare dependent neighbours. Adversity is the great leveller of social status. We are only one accident away from being on a Disability Support Pension.

The downside of playing by the rules: ‘wage slavery.’

There is a downside to exchanging time, money and energy for financial security. The promise of having a `great career’ fades like a desert mirage in the grind of the daily routines of work. The mind-numbing reality of being stuck in a cubicle or open plan office doing repetitive tasks starts to wear thin. Collaboration is difficult when other people have mentally `clocked off’ and have low levels of motivation. Jill would like to find another position to avoid having to work with Georgia. This is not possible for Jill as she cannot afford to take a pay cut. The fear of the loss of financial security keeps many people in a state that feels like ‘wage slavery’. Most people will stay in jobs they have outgrown or dislike. Playing by the rules has another advantage. The ability to buy goods, consume experiences and pursue our pleasures self-medicates us from the mind-numbing reality of routines that become staid and boring. This dovetails with the second level of `play as hedonism’ or the quest for pleasure.

My failed career as an Astronaunt. (Part 2)

My more optimistic side hoped that Aliens would be more like characters in the original Star Trek series. You know the type. Aliens with large craniums dressed in togas would greet me through telepathic thought waves.





Photo by James Lee from Pexels

Around the same time, I became more interested in Unidentified Flying Objects. (UFO’s) I read every book that I could find on UFO’s. Most school libraries books had books on UFO’s, ghosts and creepy things `that go bump in the night.’ These books were `dog eared’, ruffled and worn out from the impact of eager school children constantly pouring over the pages. Several copies of these books went missing from my local library without any explanation. How these books disappeared from the watchful eyes of the stern faced, school librarians that patrolled the library is still an unsolved mystery.  

One book that remained on the library bookshelves was `Chariots of the Gods’, by author Erich Von Daniken. Von Daniken believed that aliens visited earth at various points in human history and contributed their advanced knowledge to the development of the human race. What motivated advanced extraterrestrial beings to take an interest in the humans? Did they think our ancient human ancestors were `slow’, ` thick between the ears’ and needed `a bit of a leg up’? How Erik Van Daniken came to write `Chariots of the Gods’ is a story in itself. Von Daniken embezzled money during a stint as a hotel manager to fund his `research trips’ to write and make a documentary of his book. He served one year of a three and a half year  prison sentence for embezzlement, fraud and forgery. He used the profits from his first book to repay his debts and support his new career as an author.

After reading `Chariots of the Gods’, I came to a startling conclusion. If Aliens could solve advanced mathematical calculations and help the Egyptians build the pyramids, they must be really, really smart! If they are really smart, then they probably had advanced telepathic powers and were looking to communicate with `more evolved’ human beings. I spent many evenings after school looking into the night sky trying to send telepathic messages to connect with alien beings.  I hoped that some aliens would teleport me into their flying saucer.

I had some slight anxiety about meeting alien creatures. I was part of a generation that was traumatised watching Sci Fi shows with cheap special effects on TV during the late sixties and seventies. Images of alien costumes made from paper mache layered over chicken wire or spray painted, green plastic bags with ping pong balls for eyes still terrorise me in my sleep. There were no trigger warnings. None of my teachers, parents or elders warned me (or my peers) of the dangers on getting on board flying saucers piloted by alien beings. This must be the ultimate in stranger danger! Seriously, I don’t know how I survived my childhood.

My more optimistic side hoped that Aliens would be more like characters in the original Star Trek series. You know the type. Aliens with large craniums dressed in togas would greet me through telepathic thought waves.

`We come in peace…finally…we’re glad to meet you…we were running out of hope that we might find intelligent life on this planet.’

Trying to decide who to make contact with on planet earth must stretched the mental capacities of our deathly pale, green tinted, toga clad friends with large heads. You would think that a highly intelligent species would like to meet with a winner of the Nobel Prize, a scientist or the leader of a major world power. Why would they choose to talk with a 10 year old boy? Only the imagination of an innocent child could believe they were the centre of the universe. Some adults never grow out of this belief.

Maybe I would be lucky. The Aliens would take me with them. It never occurred to me that I could be unlucky. Instead, I might be watching in fright as some strange, bug eyed alien leaned over me while I was strapped to a large table. The alien scientist prodding my body with electrodes while trying to decide which of my bodily organs it will remove to keep for further study. I didn’t expect this would include being dissected and having all my organs stored in a glass cannister. Meanwhile, on the bench, my brain is sitting in a glass container full of chemicals while kept alive by periodic jolts of electricity. Anyway, 44 years later, I am still waiting. Not a UFO in sight.

Games Religious People Play

Through the eyes of the Fool, I am going to explore games that religious people play.

Photo by Daniel Clay on Unsplash

As a young child, I had a growing interest in spirituality. My (adoptive) parents believed in the importance of being raised in the catholic faith. Religion (of any kind) is a thorny area. Loved by some and loathed by others as oppressive. As a teenager, I had a part time job at Woolworths. Every Saturday, I dressed in a white, short sleeve business shirt and black tie. I would get on my bike and travel to and from work. One afternoon, I was peddling back from work. A small boy pointed at me. He said to his friend: `there goes one of those religious fanatics.’

Religion provides a body of traditions, beliefs, and practices that people are socialized into as part of a religious community. At its best, religion inspires people to live for a bigger story rather than owning their interests. At its worst, religion can be tedious and unpleasant. Like milk that sours when exposed to the midday sun.  

I want to have a Fool’s look at religion…yes…the good, the bad and the ugly. As the old saying goes…people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones! Alright, I’ll `man up’ and take it on the chin. I have also ventured over to the `dark side’ of my own religious practices and lived to tell the tale. Through the eyes of the Fool, I am going to explore games that religious people play.

  1. ‘Do More and Try Harder.’ (DMATH) Karl Marx, the atheist philosopher, said religion was `the opiate of the masses.’ If so, then DMATH is an equal opportunity religious game. Whether rich or poor – anyone can play.  DMATH is the solution to every problem you are experiencing with your spiritual life (and life in general). If you are not getting the result you want, try to increase your efforts. If things are not as expected, work harder. `Do More and Try Harder.’ About 25 years ago, I participated in a bible study group. That’s when a woman named `Miriam’ admitted feeling depressed and anxious. Another woman in the group scolded her. She said, `The problem is that you’re not reading your bible enough!’ Miriam’s depression and anxiety decreased when she learned to be more vulnerable with other non-judgmental people in the parish. Another expression of Do More and Try Harder is:
  2. Put on a McHappy Face and Sing. (POMFAS) During a really difficult phase of my life, I had experienced a major depressive episode. I would leave church early to avoid listening to the praise and worship music. The light fluffy, sentimental lyrics and `la dee da’ tunes added to my pain. An elder in the church criticized me. He said, ‘You better get used to it. This is what you will be doing for eternity!’ Seriously, singing those sickly sweet, syrupy, sentimental love songs of the `Jesus is my boyfriend’ type forever sounds unbearable. It seems like a form of slow torture! A lot of contemporary worship music is like eating fairy floss on an empty stomach. After the first sugar hit, you are left feeling dissatisfied, hungry and with a queasy feeling in your stomach. Healthy religion encourages people to bring their whole selves (including sadness) to God.   

3. Global Citizen. Global Citizens play a larger game in response to climate change, poverty and injustice. They are motivated to travel and advocate for some of the most disadvantaged people in the world. The game becomes unhealthy when global citizens lecture the `peasants’ on the evils of consumerism, overseas travel and middle-class entitlement. Social media offers many chances for global citizens to `share their pain’. It helps to educate the ignorant, uneducated, and apathetic. Oh…and that trip to Bali…don’t even think about it peasant! Jesus had some confronting words for people who `play act’ while ignoring their own faults.

4. We’re a friendly church. Like most games, this usually has a positive start. A church congregation aims to welcome new people. They make a statement on their website that says, ” We’re a friendly church. As the congregation (or parish) grows, people form friendships and become comfortable with each other. New people who visit often find that existing church members are unfriendly, inhospitable, and more like a private club. Long-standing church members struggle to understand how newcomers experience them as unfriendly. `We’re a friendly church’…they think to themselves as they generalise from their own past experience…oh…and…um…It’s also on the church website.

An invitation to Play the Fool.

Photo: Scott Webb at Unsplash.

The Fool is an invitation to the aliveness, pleasure and play we experienced as children. Play is something we do for its own intrinsic reward and pleasure. Play is hard to define. However, pleasure, enjoyment, and fun motivate the wish to play. Children have a natural ability to play. They use play as a dress rehearsal for life. A towel becomes a superhero cape. It gives the child the belief they can leap off a building without getting hurt. A band-aid is the perfect remedy. They discover that even with a pretend superhero cape, jumping out of a tree results in a grazed knee. Children experiment, try on different personas, play `dress ups’ and have a good time.

I was leaving the office after a busy day at work. I watched a young child jumping in and out of the electronic sliding doors. His face was radiant with joy. He moved in and out of the sliding doors. He laughed out loud as if saying `I can get out before you try to close on me.’  Children can always find the `game’ or opportunities for play in any situation.

Play exists in the realm beyond right and wrong and `judgement’.

Ask a young child `can you sing?’ and most will respond enthusiastically with a `yes.’ The quality of innocence in young children leads them to believe that anything is possible. Childlike simplicity sees the good in everyone and is optimistic. They have a sense of wonder and delight in the world. Young children have not been socialised to critically evaluate themselves. Evaluation or judgments without grace stifles play and limits possibility. Play is possible in the absence of making harsh judgments of ourselves, our situation and other people.  

Play exists in the space in between right and wrong without making right or wrong, wrong. Imagine a scene at a local night club or dance venue. The DJ is playing music. You look around and become aware that no one else is on the dance floor. You feel the urge to get up and dance with you partner. The critical voices in your head whisper silently:

`Don’t do it…you can’t dance…what will other people think?

`You’ll look like a dork!’

You will make a fool of yourself!

Remember what happened the last time you took a risk?’

The voice of the Fool says `it’s ok to play.’ Play exists when you listen to your own wishes and ignore the critical voices urging you to stay seated. Letting go of self-criticism helps you enter the realm of play. Releasing the real or imagined criticisms of other people also grants this access.  

Play gives us permission to explore. 

Young children play naturally because they are (mostly) innocent of the problems of the world. If you are prone to cynicism, give yourself a rest and explore the `dark side.’ 

This is no serious feat in a world of 24/7 news and information. Take the opportunity to drink the tonic of innocence. This will help you to get into the frame of mind to play. We can `play’ for situations, ideas and other people. Sometimes we just need a kick start to get into the mood for playfulness and humour. Seriousness behaviour as a fixed habit can be unlearned. Playfulness and the ability to hold serious things lightly is possible.

Tips: what I have found helpful.

  1. Pay attention to your diet of media, reading and entertainment. Explore the `dark side’ – look for more innocent input. You Tube is a great source of comic videos on clowning and other types of more innocent humour.
  2. Grab a copy of the children’s book, `The Emperor’s New Clothes’, by Hans Christian Andersen. The story is a very humorous example of the power of innocence to accurately see reality without cynicism. 

Space oddity: my failed career as an astronaut. (pt 1)

There were a few obstacles to my dreams of becoming an Astronaut. Reality was a really, really big one

As a child, I developed a very rich imagination. I learnt to withdraw into a creative fantasy life as a way of avoiding difficult, boring and painful circumstances. I remember `feeling different’, an `outsider’ and never quite `fitting in.’ Not an uncommon experience as an adopted child. There are many advantages to having a rich fantasy life. I could escape from the tedium of compulsory singing during school and navigate an imaginary universe. From an early age, I aspired to be an Astronaut. I wanted to travel through space; the ultimate in `disassociating’ from the limits of an earth-based reality and explore beyond the boundaries of the known universe.

There were a few obstacles to my dreams of becoming an Astronaut. Reality was a really, really big one. While patiently biding my time on planet earth, I noticed there weren’t many vacancies for nerdy, insecure prepubescent children at NASA for Astronaut training. I consistently failed primary school maths and struggled to read maps. I was also prone to feeling car sick when travelling. I couldn’t think of anything worse. Struggling to remove my space helmet while having an `out of stomach experience’ and fumbling to find the barf bag. Not a great start for an aspiring space explorer.

Photo by Lavdrim Mustafi on Pexels.com

Space travel is also very, very expensive. In the early seventies, a Saturn V rocket cost around one hundred million dollars. (or one trillion dollars adjusted in today’s currency) That’s a lot of pocket money. (not to mention the postage and handling costs!) Even if I could afford the postage, the sight of a rocket sitting in my backyard would attract the attention of my parents and neighbours. I could imagine my bemused father asking: `What’s that son?’ `It’s a Saturn V rocket, Dad…the type that launched Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to their first moon landing.’ I imagined my Dad saying in reply, `Alright… don’t tell your mother…she’ll just worry about it.’

The countdown was magnificent…10…9…8…7…6…ignition sequence begins…5…4…3…2 …1…and blast off! The liquid oxygen and kerosene fuelled rocket engines roared into action as huge amounts of fire and smoke poured out of the nozzles. The cabin shook as the rocket slowly accelerated upwards into the clear blue sky. My back arched slightly as the vibrations from the rocket engines firing rattled through the whole structure. The pressure of gravity became stronger as the rocket sped upwards into the higher reaches of the atmosphere. `Looking good Mission control’, I thought to myself. I think my neighbours would have been miffed as their houses were incinerated during the launch. I never like old Mr Jones anyway. He had a flat earth view of reality that could be summed up as `wake up to yourself’, `get a haircut son and don’t march on our streets! ‘Some people’s stance on life is like gravity. Their attitudes exert a strong downward pressure to conform and keep lofty ideals firmly from soaring into the heavens.

My hopes of becoming an Astronaut fizzled like a wet fire cracker. I remember sharing my dreams with my grade four teacher. Her lack of enthusiasm was enough to sow seeds of doubt in my mind. Perhaps she thought to herself `not another one’ or knew that my lack of aptitude for maths would doom me to be grounded on planet earth forever. Reluctantly, I had to compromise my dream of space travel. It was not long after this time that my view of reality would begin to shift. A friend gave me a copy of a book. I discovered the phenomena of Unidentified Flying Objects. If intelligent life was out there cruising the galaxy… then… maybe… they would take me with them!

Failure: the `foolish’ pathway to learning.

…in the ‘clown’s universe’, failure is the gateway to resilience, playfulness and success!

Failure is horrible.

No one likes to fail.

 Some people are gifted or downright fortunate- sailing through life making every post a winner- but for most of us, we’ll probably experience more failures than successes. I still squirm with embarrassment when I think about my first attempt to ask a girl out on a date in my early teens.

“No” she said.

“I have a boyfriend… you would really like Peter if you met him”.

Oh how comforting! I thought. I wanted to crawl under a rock and never come out again. Another two years would pass before I would find the courage to ask another girl out on a date.

My embarrassing story is just one of millions. I have seen some people shrivel up due to self- criticism, or the shaming and scolding of unsympathetic peers. `Wounded spirits’ have a difficult (but not impossible) task of finding the inner motivation to cross the next steps of their personal journey. Some people however, develop the resilience to thrive and throw off the shackles of self- criticism and shame that binds them from the kind of risk taking that leads to growth.

Embracing failure… like a fool.

In my journey discovering myself as a performer and eventually experimenting with clowning, I discovered that in the ‘clown’s universe’, failure is the gateway to resilience, playfulness and success! I discovered that unlike the real world, Clowns have this magical quality to bounce back with enthusiasm and hopefulness.

In one workshop, the clowning tutor asked our group to come up with a spontaneous 5 minute clowning skit. Before I went on the stage, I saw a portable red fire extinguisher mounted on a bracket on the wall. I thought to myself `I could create some chaotic, slapstick routines using the fire extinguisher as a prop!’

… so of course I grabbed the fire extinguisher and started fumbling with it awkwardly in a contrived slapstick routine.

Stony silence in the room.

I looked into the eyes of my peers.

No one laughed.

The audience was deadpan.

This was the longest 5 minutes of my life… my feeble attempts to exaggerate my fumbling movements were met with deafening silence.

Feeling defeated, I walked away from the centre of the stage… embarrassed by my efforts.

I went to place the fire extinguisher on the wall bracket.

I struggled to re-attach it.

I fumbled badly, not sure what to do next.

I looked to my audience feeling the pain of embarrassment again…

… as the portable fire extinguisher resisted my attempts to put it back on the wall bracket. Now, I was feeling really frustrated!

… Then…

I heard something that really surprised me.

Small bursts of laughter rippled around the room. I looked at my peers – `They’re laughing at me… I’m funny!’ I thought to myself, `What happened…?’ I looked straight at the audience and shared my discomfort. My peers enjoyed every embarrassing moment!

You see, every day around the world, people take off and re-attach portable fire extinguishers onto wall brackets without so much as a comment. The humour came from my awkward struggles to resolve a situation as ordinary as attempting to re-attach a fire extinguisher to a wall bracket. In moments of stress or difficulty, it’s a common human experience to `double down’ and use more effort to resolve a situation. I call this the `do more – try harder’ philosophy of life.

Embracing unmet needs

Someone I met recently made a comment that struck a responsive chord with me – judgments are simply `unmet needs.’ Under the withering and disapproving gaze of the inner critic- are the hidden, unmet needs of the individual. In my experience of clowning, there is an underlying desire to be loved, accepted and appreciated. Paradoxically, people are more likely to identify with and accept us when we don’t hide our failures and vulnerabilities.

Blessed are the poor in spirit.

Through humor, clowns and fools help free us of the ‘props’ we use to hide from ourselves and each other. The clown’s vulnerability invites us to recognise our own vulnerability, folly and frailty. My experience of clowning reminds me of the words of Jesus in the Beatitudes. ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit’’.

Jesus taught that only the spiritually needy would enter his kingdom. The clown and the spiritually poor have this in common. They are both `unmasked’, open-hearted and avoid pride and self-reliance. The clown mirrors the Beattitudes call for a life of authenticity, vulnerability and inner richness. A life that is unconcerned with external appearances and impressing other people.  

Most people who embrace clowning struggle with giving up attempts to be `funny’, `interesting’ and making people laugh. Cleverness usually fails spectacularly, leaving audiences feeling bored and listless, since the clown’s failures by their very nature are a mirror image of our own comical attempts at life. Clowning in life can help us to face difficult truths and free us from unnecessary suffering, and can allow us to embrace creativity and playfulness. 

Embracing a clown lifestyle

Fool wisdom provides an alternative way of looking at life. In the universe of the clown, Fool and Jester, the ordinary takes on a new significance. The ordinary reveals a rich vein of spiritual insight for those who have `…ears to hear and eyes to see.’ As a general principle of comedy: Fools, clowns and jesters take the ordinary, pull it apart and raise it to a new and higher level. Rowan Atkinson’s character- Mr Bean, uses ordinary routines such as getting dressed or brushing his teeth to transform ordinary tasks into comedy gold.

Even if it is fool’s Gold!

Navel gaze time:

  • How do you `do more-try harder’?  What behaviours do you find yourself repeating over and over again that are unhelpful?
  • What’s some alternative strategies to doing more of the same?
  • How can you reframe this experience? What lessons have you learnt? What advice would a wise Fool give you?

Discovering Child-like Joy: Unveiling the Clown’s Universe

If life is a game, then clowns, fools and jesters play a different game.

Clowning is like entering an alternate reality. It started when I enrolled in a summer school clown workshop in Brisbane in 2003. Using a series of activities, the instructor helped us comprehend how truth can be represented via our physical bodies. One of these positions was dubbed “office worker” by him. The teacher asked us to imagine that we had a task to finish. We were instructed to keep little eye contact with the other participants as we moved about the room. The instructor told us to breathe quickly and deeply. I found that the physical posture of an “office worker” is very physically demanding to sustain for extended periods. A strong sense of internal discipline is required. We must force our bodies to `labour’ while being driven by an external goal.

`Emotional labour’ is the phrase that describes the way we discipline our emotions to conform to the workplace. Most front-line positions need employees to deliver “service with a smile.” Front-line employees must manage their true feelings. They need to align their emotional state with the goals and values of the organisation. Emotional labour is the socially acceptable mask we put on to fit in with society. Wearing a mask has certain advantages. A vulnerable person’s faith in the helping professions is damaged when they are treated poorly. A business will likely go bankrupt if its staff is rude or indifferent to customers’ needs. It makes sense to behave in a way that aligns with social norms or business principles. We incur a high cost to internalize the self-control needed to regulate our emotions. I discovered that being an “office worker” for extended periods is very taxing on the body. Not to mention exhausting.

Strolling down the Mall at the end of the day, I sat down to observe people as they were walking. I was in a very relaxed, open, and playful mood. I looked ahead and saw a group of men and women dressed in formal work clothes walking through the Mall.  I felt excitement and joy– an epiphany – ‘they’re in office worker’! This was a transformative moment, a powerful realization that changed my perspective. I wasn’t making any personal judgments about the people walking through the Mall. An ordinary moment yielded a fantastic discovery. It was like watching a performance of street theatre. Like the little child in “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” clowns, fools, and jesters have an “unsophisticated” perception. They “see things as they are” and not how we imagine them.

A clown philosophy

The clown’s red nose is the doorway to an alternative universe. In the clown’s universe, the standard rules of reality are suspended. The energy of the clown is an invitation to freedom. The freedom and joy we experienced as children. The clown is our imaginative, funny, and sometimes disruptive side. “Putting on a character” or “acting” is not what clowning entails. The consciousness arises from astonishment, spontaneity, and childlike wonderment. When we are young, everything seems brand-new and is constantly being discovered and learned. When I was younger, I pretended to have Superman abilities. I draped an ordinary sheet around my neck. Then, I jumped off the roof to soar into the sky. After several grazed knees, I discovered that the law of gravity was “kryptonite” to my fantasy of flying. As grown-ups, we are prone to overthink and create excuses not to be playful. Through the clown, we can rediscover the realm of imagination. In our imagination, anything is possible. It’s never too late for adults to re-experience child-like joy without the bruises!   

In the world and not of the world.

While the clown is vulnerable, the fool or jester is quick-witted and provocative. The Fool or Jester lives alongside the Ruler’s court. Fools exist to deflate or puncture the ego of the King or Queen. They are a living contradiction – `to be in the world and not of the world.’ They use comic humor to soften the blow and say what no one is willing to speak out aloud. They are in the center of power. Still, they rise above the political intrigues of the power structures. This gives the fool enormous power and freedom. In life, the fool unmasks and makes explicit the socially polite games we play that we hide behind.

The ordinary is important

In the clown’s universe, the divine is waiting to be revealed in the day-to-day ordinariness of life. As a general principle of comedy, Fools, clowns, and jesters take the mundane and the ordinary. They pull it apart and elevate it to a higher level. A clown character goes into the bathroom to brush his teeth. He fumbles and loses the toothpaste cap. The clown becomes increasingly frustrated with trying to find the cap  As the audience, we experience his frustration. We laugh at the absurdity of the clown as they try to resolve the problem with ‘clown logic’.  It’s like letting your impulsive, child-like self act freely. You can be joyful without a watchful, critical adult standing over you. Clown logic looks for the most creative, silly and fun path to resolving a challenge. In clown logic, if you are failing, then strive to fail gloriously.

Do more and try harder

In trouble, the clown `doubles down’ by using the same approach with more intensity. This is the `Do More and Try Harder’ approach to life. Meanwhile, the clown is failing gloriously. As a mirror, the clown reflects our absurdities and follies to us. Despite our attempts at being `clever’ or `sophisticated, scratch the surface, and we are all clowns. We have our silly side, our weaknesses, and our vulnerabilities. An ordinary routine has become a story that entertains and provokes. At the moment, the clown disarms our natural defenses with comic absurdity. The clown provokes us to reflect on how we complicate our lives. We keep using the same failed approaches while hoping for a different outcome.

Failure is never the final act

Clowning is a joyous celebration of making mistakes. Clowns fail often. Audiences enjoy watching clown characters fail. Clowns are overwhelmed and never defeated. In the failure and struggle, clowns thrive and show resilience. In clown training, embracing the fear of failure easily translates into ordinary life. The clown invites us to ‘play with our fears’ and enter the ‘scary places’. Clowns, fools and jesters encourage us to let go and accept failure as a normal part of life. The wiser Fool learns from their mistakes. The clown’s innocence and the Jester’s provocation are a gift. They can help us see the obvious, take ourselves less seriously, and play different, more life-giving and enjoyable games. If life is a game, then clowns and jesters play a different game.

The clowns red nose: a door way to an alternative universe

If life is a game, then clowns, fools and jesters play a different game.

Clowning is like entering an alternative reality. It started when I enrolled in a summer school clown workshop in Brisbane in 2003. Using a series of activities, the instructor helped us comprehend how truth can be represented via our physical bodies. One of these positions was dubbed “office worker” by him. The teacher asked us to imagine that we had a task to finish. We were instructed to maintain little eye contact with the other participants as we moved about the room. The instructor told us to breathe quickly and deeply. I found that the physical posture of an “office worker” is very physically demanding to sustain for extended periods. There is a strong sense of internal discipline required to force our bodies to `labour’ while being driven by an external goal.

`Emotional labour’ is the phrase that describes the way we discipline our emotions to conform to the workplace. Most front-line positions need employees to deliver “service with a smile.” Front-line employees are required to manage their true feelings and align their emotional state with the goals and values of the organisation. Emotional labour is the socially acceptable mask we put on to fit in with society. Wearing a mask has certain advantages. A vulnerable person’s faith in the helping professions is damaged when they are treated poorly. A business will likely go bankrupt if their staff are rude or indifferent to the needs of customers. It makes sense to behave in a way that aligns with social norms or business principles. We incur a high cost to internalise the self-control needed to regulate our emotions. I discovered that “office worker” for extended periods is very taxing on the body. Not to mention exhausting.

Strolling down the Mall at the end of the day, I sat down to observe people as they were walking. I was in a very relaxed, open, and playful mood. I looked ahead and saw a group of men and women dressed in formal work clothes walking through the Mall.  I felt a surge of excitement and joy– an epiphany – ‘they’re in office worker’! This was a transformative moment. I wasn’t making any personal judgments about the people walking through the Mall. An ordinary moment yielded an amazing discovery – a brief moment of ‘street theatre’ in an otherwise ordinary day in the Brisbane City Mall. Like the little child in “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” clowns, fools and jesters possess the “unsophisticated” perception to “see things as they are and now how we imagine them to be.”

A clown philosophy

The clown’s red nose is the doorway to an alternative universe. In the clown’s universe, the normal rules of reality are suspended. The energy of the clown is an invitation to freedom. The freedom and joy we experienced as children. The clown is the imaginative, funny, and sometimes disruptive side of ourselves. “Putting on a character” or “acting” is not what clowning entails. It’s the consciousness that arises from a state of astonishment, spontaneity, and childlike wonderment. When we are young, everything seems brand-new and is always being discovered and learned. When I was younger, I pretended to have superman abilities by draping an ordinary sheet around my neck and jumping off the roof to soar into the sky. After several grazed knees, I discovered that the law of gravity was “krypotonite” to my fantasy of flying. As grown-ups, we are prone to overthink and create excuses not to be playful. Through the clown, we can rediscover the realm of imagination. In our imagination, anything is possible. It’s never too late for adults to re-experience child-like joy without the bruises!