Ep. 160 - The Cosmic Joke: Developing A Sense of Humor Along The Path

The path of awakening is often treated as serious business for serious people. This approach can make us rigid about our experience of reality, when what we want to develop is greater flexibility, appreciation, and openness to ouselves and others. For that, we need the path to include a great sense of humor. So when is the spiritual path funny? When is humor an obstacle or a neurotic defense mechanism? How can comedy point us toward Ultimate Truth? In this solo episode, Ethan explores where comedy and humor aid the path, where they might lead us astray, and why you should crack up every once in a while on your meditation seat. Please support the podcast via Substack and subscribe for free or with small monthly contributions. Additional links and show notes are available there . Paid subscribers will receive occasional extras like guided meditations , extra podcast episodes and more! The Thursday Meditation Group happens each week at 8am ET on Thursdays, and a guided audio meditations are released monthly. Another bonus podcast for paid subscribers discussed a mindful take on intuition , and Ethan also offered instruction in the RAIN method for working with emotions with self-compassion . These are all available to paid subscribers. You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods ( Apple , Ethan's Website , etc). Subscribe now You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods ( Apple , Ethan's Website , etc). Find out about the 2026 Yearlong Buddhist Studies program at this link ! Check out about upcoming live events like a live talk with Ethan and Dan Harris December 10, a New Year's Eve Intention-Setting Workshop, and a live talk with Ethan and Roshi Joan Halifax January 6th! A new free video course on a classic Buddhist contemplation called The Five Remembrances is available at this link . Check out all the cool offerings at our podcast sponsor Dharma Moon . Free video courses co-taught by Ethan and others, such as The Three Marks of Existence , are also available for download at Dharma Moon .