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The "laughing revival" sweeping through some parts of the Pentecostal-Charismatic world is accompanied by "spirit slaying," uncontrollable laughter, loud cryings, barkings, roarings, shakings, spasms, and powerful feelings of joy and peace and love. It is interesting that the same phenomena are found in pagan religions. The following is reported by the Spiritual Counterfeits Project (SCP):
KUNDALINI ENERGY is typically described as a powerful energy source lying dormant in the form of a coiled serpent at the base of the human spine. When freed it reputedly has the capacity to effect great physical and spiritual healings. Christina and Stanislav Grof, New Age authors of the book The Stormy Search for the Self, describe how the awakening of the Kundalini energy can be triggered by an advanced spiritual teacher or guru. And how the awakening can bring up memories of past psychological and physical traumas. The Grofs state that "individuals involved in this process might find it difficult to control their behavior; during powerful rushes of Kundalini energy, they often emit various involuntary sounds and their bodies move in strange and unexpected patterns. Among the most common manifestations ... are unmotivated and unnatural laughter or crying, talking tongues ... and imitating a variety of animal sounds and movements" (pp. 78-79). The Grofs state that "careful study of the manifestations of Kundalini awakening confirm that this process, although sometimes very intense and shattering, is essentially healing."
Bhaghan Shree Rajneesh, the former Oregon guru, tells one of his followers in his book Dance Your Way to God, "just be joyful ... God is not serious ... this world cannot fit with a theological god ... so let this be your constant reminder--that you have to dance your way to God, to laugh your way to God" (p. 229). Often referred to as being "drunk on the divine," Rajneesh encouraged his followers to come and "drink" from him. Bhagvan's spiritual "wine" was often passed along with a single touch to the head. Many of his Sannyasins would fall to the floor in ecstasy after their encounters with Rajneesh.
Ramakrishna, an Indian saint, daily went into "samadhi," a trance in which one involuntarily falls down unconscious and enters a rapturous state of super-conscious bliss (ananda), complete with beautiful visions and often involving astral projection. These states could last anywhere from a few minutes to several days and were often accompanied by uncontrollable laughter or weeping. He could send others into this state with a single touch to the head or chest" (unpublished article by John Rice on file at SCP).
Swami Baba Muktananda, would transfer what was called "guru's grace" to his followers through Shaktipat (physical touch). This "grace" triggered the gradual awakening of the Kundalini which in turn produced various physical and emotional manifestations. Manifestations included uncontrollable laughing, roaring, barking, hissing, crying, shaking, etc. Some devotees became mute or unconscious. Many felt themselves being infused with feelings of great joy and peace and love. At other times the "fire" of Kundalini was so overpowering they would find themselves involuntarily hyperventilating to cool themselves down. (Performer Muktananda follower Joy Smith.)
AFRICAN KUNG BUSHMEN OF THE KALAHARI
The Grofs, in their book The Stormy
Search for the Self, also cite an interesting parallel
between the Kundalini awakening and the trance dance
of the African Kung bushmen. During rituals the
bushmen "enter a profound altered state of
consciousness associated with the release of powerful
emotions such as anger, anxiety, and fear. They are
often unable to maintain an upright position and are
overcome by violent shaking. Following these dramatic
experiences, they typically enter a state of ecstatic
rapture. According to the bushmen tradition, the dance
releases from the base of the spine a cosmic healing
force called ntum or `medicine.' This is then passed by
direct physical contact from one person to another."
QIGONG (ancient Chinese practice)
Yan Xin, a
Chinese Qigong master known to most of the over one
billion people in China, gave a talk in San Francisco in
1991. 1,700 devotees--most of them Chinese--showed
up at the Masonic auditorium to listen to Yan. The
San Francisco Chronicle on May 16, 1991, reported
that "minutes" into his talk, several began experiencing
what Yan calls spontaneous movements. The
Chronicle reporter said that "before long, the scene
began to resemble a Pentecostal prayer meeting with
many people waving their arms and making
unintelligible sounds." Yan told his audience, "Those
who are sensitive might start having some strong
physical sensations--or start laughing or crying. Don't
worry. This is quite normal." The article said that
"since 1985, when a Qigong revival started sweeping
China, 50 to 60 million Chinese have gone to see
Yan."
SUBUD
According to The Encyclopedia of American
Religions by J. Gordon Melton, the central element of
the Subud faith is the practice of "latihan." Latihan is
the way one surrenders to the power of God. It is a
group process. The Encyclopedia says, "The latihan
proper is a time of moving the consciousness beyond
mind and desire and allowing the power to enter and
do its work ... often accompanying the spontaneous
period are various body movements and vocal
manifestations--cries, moans, laughter and singing.
These occur in the voluntary surrender of the self to
the power. During this time, people report sensations
of love and freedom and often, healings. All reach a
higher level of consciousness.