When laughter comes out of silence you are not laughing at anybody’s cost, you are simply laughing at the whole cosmic joke. And it really is a joke! That’s why I go on telling jokes to you… because jokes carry more than any scriptures. It is a joke because inside you you have everything, and you are searching everywhere. What else should a joke be? You are a king and acting like a beggar in the streets; not only acting, not only deceiving others, but deceiving yourself that you are a beggar. You have the source of all knowledge and are asking questions; you have the knowing self and think that you are ignorant; you have the deathless within you and are afraid and fearful of death and disease.
Little Ernie is doing his homework one evening and has a problem. “Dad,” he says, “what is the difference between anger and exasperation?” “Well, son,” says his father, “I will give you a practical demonstration.” His dad then goes to the phone and dials a random number. “Hello,” comes a voice at the other end. “Hello,” says Ernie’s father. “Is Melvin there?” “There is no one called Melvin here!” comes the reply. “Why don’t you learn to look up numbers before you dial them?” “You see?” says Ernie’s father. “That man was not at all happy with our call. But watch this!” He then dials the same number again, and says, “Hello, is Melvin there?” “Now look here!” comes the angry reply. “I told you there is no Melvin here! You have got a lot of nerve calling again!” And then he slams down the receiver.
“Did you hear that?” asks Ernie’s father. “That was anger. Now, I will show you what exasperation is!” He picks up the phone and dials the same number again, and when a violent voice shouts, “HELLO!” Ernie’s father says, “Hello! This is Melvin. Have there been any calls for me?”
