The Beautiful Ties Between George Carlin, Crass Humor, Authenticity & Spirituality
A while back, Amma asked me to be her comedian at her retreats and events – and I created a playful, irreverent, and confronting comedy show about spirituality and the new-age, which is what She requested of me. I even asked Her to approve each joke so that I did not meander outside the lines – and She approved all of it.
After first delivering the show to 15,000 people at one of her ashrams, 10% of the audience was upset with me, thinking me the antichrist, not realizing that Amma requested and approved it. I continued to expand on the show and deliver it in other cities at the start of many of Her events and retreats.
Like any truly divine master, Amma wanted to rip the lid off of the false layers people project into their lives, their spirituality, and onto themselves. Amma is an immensely expanded and superconscious soul, whom I believe to be one of the most profound and illuminated Avatars in all spacetime.
And I LOVED creating and performing comedy shows for Her.
Being asked to serve as a comedian at the retreats and events hosted by Amma, is a remarkable and honorable role. Amma’s decision to incorporate comedy into Her spiritual events is a testament to Her innovative approach to spiritual awakening and Her deep understanding of the power of humor in spiritual growth.
What Is Humor’s Purpose?
Humor results from the intersection of two truths that we firmly believe. At that intersection is a myriad of emotions that can either produce confusion, disparity, profound insight, dark drama, or comedy. I prefer the latter, though profound insights are also quite delicious.
When we embrace our sense of humor, either as the comedian or audience, we free aspects of ourselves and awaken to truths that might otherwise have escaped us.
In humor, we allow the shedding of layers and false senses of reality – and we begin to awaken to the idea that there are many vails preventing us from seeing ourselves and all of Creation clearly.
Humor and genuine, authentic self-expression are not only illuminating, they can create immense healing for all of us. Shattering illusions can free our minds, hearts, and spirits to awaken us to a profound existence.
George Carlin & The Advaita Vedanta
Let’s dive into the spiritual implications of authentic self-expressions using curse words through the lens of Advaita Vedanta, using George Carlin’s famously taboo “Seven Words You Can’t Say on Television” (though he later amended these to include 9 additional words in various routines, as below). And let’s discuss genuine, authentic, emotional expression as a pathway to illumination.
Advaita Vedanta and Self-Expression
I love exploring the intersections of spirituality, self-expression, and emotional health.
The act of cursing, often seen as socially inappropriate or vulgar, can hold a deeper, more liberating function in human expression. In fact, without expressing these aspects, we can become stifled, apathetic, and physically ill.
Don’t buy into the bullshit of your favorite new-age influencers and other politically correct buffoons out there. BE YOURSELF and joyfully let everyone else exit the building.
Advaita Vedanta, a non-dualistic school of Hindu philosophy, and modern therapeutic techniques like the Sedona Method, both offer unique insights into why expressing oneself—even through curse words—can be spiritually significant and emotionally healing and powerful. At no time would a REAL spiritual teacher or illuminated person tell you to stifle your emotions or reject your authentic self.
A real lover of humanity will NEVER judge your free, self-expression according to some archaic catholic, christian or contrived ideology.
All aspects of oppressive thinking are cancers born from self-righteousness, religious ego, and self-denial – within people who have been carrying forward the broken, controlling identities they embodied during prior lives in the middle ages.
You and your spirit cannot go ANYWHERE within your mind, heart, or reality without first honoring your authentic Self and all that she needs to express.
Advaita Vedanta teaches that the true self, Atman, is identical with the highest reality, Brahman. From this perspective, all expressions—whether deemed polite or crude—are manifestations of the same underlying reality – and expressed through various versions of God – US.
In expressing anger or frustration through cursing, one might not be straying from spiritual truth, but rather embracing the full spectrum of human experience as a reflection of the Divine.
George Carlin’s 7 Words With Amendments
1. Shit: A declaration of life’s messiness, mirroring the decay that feeds new life in nature’s cycle. In the stench, there’s an honesty about the human condition, a reminder that from the dirt grows the lotus. Challenges the sanitized, overly polite society that hides the unpleasant realities rather than facing them.
2. Piss: The bitterness of being ticked off, a less intense but equally pungent spill of emotion. Like rain that washes streets clean, anger expressed can purify pent-up resentment. Directly confronts norms about expressing displeasure, suggesting that suppression leads to emotional stagnation.
3. Fuck: The warrior’s cry and the lover’s sigh; versatile, raw, and primal. It’s the chaos of creation and destruction in one breath, a testament to the intensity of human experience. By breaking the ultimate linguistic taboo, it forces a confrontation with our fears and desires, questioning societal norms about sexuality and power.
4. Cunt: A word of power reclaimed, speaking to the sacred and profane together. It’s a word that respects the divine feminine, even in its derogation, by acknowledging its force. It invites society to reexamine its relationship with female sexuality, often vilified or put on a pedestal.
5. Cocksucker: An insurgence against the prim and proper, it mocks the absurdity of sexual taboos while embracing the raw edges of human desire. It tests the limits of sexual expression and challenges homophobic undercurrents by bringing them into the open.
6. Motherfucker: The taboo of taboos; it’s Oedipus speaking truth to power. A word that combines reverence with the ultimate rebellion against authority. Forces a dialogue on the sanctity and oppression within familial and societal hierarchies.
7. Tits: A playful poke at prudery, it lightens the conversation about the body, turning objectification into a moment of levity. Questions the hyper-sexualization of the female body and invites a more relaxed dialogue about physicality.
8. Balls: A nod to courage, crudely encapsulating the essence of bravery. It’s the underdog’s shout, claiming space in the face of fear. Challenges the stereotype of masculinity, equating vulnerability with strength.
9. Jerk off: The solitude of self, a recognition of personal pleasure and the right to one’s own body. It’s a declaration of independence from the judgment of others. Confronts societal discomfort with masturbation and individual sexuality.
10. Pussy: Both a soft whisper and a fierce roar, it embodies the dual aspects of vulnerability and power in the feminine. Reclaims and redefines femininity from a term of weakness to one of strength and complexity.
11. Cock: Symbolic of both creation and crude power, it wields the duality of life’s force and the rawness of its expression. Encourages a reevaluation of male sexuality, often either glorified or vilified, advocating for a more nuanced understanding.
12. Fart: While often considered crude and juvenile, represents a natural bodily function, much like laughter or tears. In spiritual contexts, expressing such natural functions without shame can be seen as a form of honesty with oneself and with others, embracing the human body in its entirety. This acceptance is crucial for achieving a holistic understanding of the self, which many spiritual traditions argue is necessary for true enlightenment.
13. Turd: Another term that deals with bodily functions considered impolite or inappropriate for public discussion. The spiritual practice of acknowledging and accepting the less pleasant aspects of human existence, including decay and elimination, can lead to greater humility and understanding of the cycle of life and death.
By incorporating “turd” into his act, Carlin confronts societal aversion to discussing the disposal of bodily waste, which is a universal human experience. This confrontation can lead to a more grounded and less ego-centric approach to the body and its functions, aligning with many spiritual teachings that promote humility and the acceptance of all life processes.
By demystifying and de-stigmatizing such common bodily functions, Carlin encourages a more accepting and inclusive view of our physical natures.
14. Twat: A derogatory term for female genitalia, brings up issues of sexual shame and the broader cultural discomfort with female sexuality. From a spiritual perspective, reclaiming and destigmatizing such words can be an act of empowerment and healing, particularly for women who have been historically marginalized or silenced. This aligns with spiritual movements that seek to restore dignity and sanctity to all aspects of human sexuality, recognizing them as integral parts of the divine creation.
- Bitch: Originally a derogatory term for a woman, it has been reclaimed by some as a symbol of assertiveness and toughness. In a heated context, it can express frustration or dominance. When reclaimed and used positively, it can empower and signify resilience. In confrontations, it can help release feelings of anger or injustice, leading to emotional catharsis.
- Asshole: Commonly used to describe someone’s behavior as inconsiderate or contemptible. It’s a dismissal of another’s decency or respect. Calling out behavior perceived as harmful or selfish can serve as a boundary-setting tool, reinforcing one’s self-respect and expectations for how others should treat them.
Each of these words carries the potential to express a wide range of emotions, from minor annoyance to deep anger and frustration. The act of using such words can be a form of emotional honesty, bringing internal feelings into external expression.
This can validate feelings, release tension, and sometimes start the process of healing. In some contexts, the reclamation and positive reframing of traditionally negative words can also empower individuals and groups, changing the narrative around their identities and experiences.
In therapeutic or self-reflective settings, understanding the impulse to use these words can lead to greater insights into one’s emotional state and deeper issues. As with any powerful tool, the key lies in using such expressions judiciously and consciously, ensuring that they serve to clarify and heal rather than to hurt or alienate.
The Spiritual Liberation of Expression
In Advaita Vedanta, realizing that all experiences and expressions are part of the one reality can lead to a sense of liberation. Using curse words, then, is not inherently negative; rather, it can be a forceful affirmation of one’s true feelings, fostering authenticity and emotional clarity.
The Sedona Method and Emotional Healing
The Sedona Method, developed by Lester Levenson, teaches that welcoming and releasing emotions can lead to greater emotional resilience and peace. It posits that holding back our feelings often causes more harm than expressing them.
Healing Through Expression:
Welcoming Feelings: By not resisting the impulse to curse when frustrated or angry, one practices accepting their feelings without judgment.
Releasing: Letting go of the emotional charge around specific words or the situations they relate to can be profoundly freeing.
Moving On: After expressing and releasing, one often finds a clearer, calmer mental state, leading to greater inner peace.
NEVER in The Sedona Method do we tell people to be politically correct or to stifle their natural impulses. Otherwise, how can one heal?
Advaita Vedanta and Expressing Emotions through Crass Language
Both Advaita Vedanta and the Sedona Method highlight that true freedom comes from recognizing and embracing all aspects of oneself, including those found in the darker corners of our vocabulary. George Carlin’s comedic exposure of these “forbidden” words challenges us to question societal norms and, perhaps, to find a deeper, more honest expression within ourselves.
Through such expressions, we not only confront and release suppressed emotions but also step closer to a holistic acceptance of the Self as both human and divine.
In Advaita Vedanta, the non-dual nature of reality suggests that every form of expression, including cursing, is valid as it arises from the same universal truth. Such expressions can be seen as a spontaneous overflow of our deeper selves, bypassing the superficial layers of social conditioning and etiquette.
The Health Benefits of Crass Language
Studies have suggested that people who swear may often be more honest. They are less likely to filter their speech, which means they are being more true to their thoughts and feelings. From a psychological standpoint, swearing can:
Reduce Stress: Swearing has been shown to have a pain-relief, or analgesic, effect, which suggests a decrease in stress levels.
Enhance Group Cohesion: In social contexts, swearing can strengthen group dynamics and express solidarity.
Serve as a Safety Valve: It provides a way to express strong emotions and release anger, frustration, or other intense feelings without resorting to physical violence.
The Sedona Method and Swearing
The Sedona Method emphasizes the importance of letting go of inner resistance to feelings, which includes the suppression of certain words or expressions. By welcoming and then releasing these emotions:
Acknowledging Emotions: Allowing oneself to swear can be an acknowledgment of one’s true feelings.
Releasing Suppressed Energy: This act can help dissipate the emotional energy pent up in negative feelings.
Fostering Emotional Recovery: Post-expression, individuals often report feeling lighter and less burdened, suggesting a psychological reset.
Finally
Both the spiritual perspective of Advaita Vedanta and the therapeutic insights from the Sedona Method suggest significant benefits to expressing ourselves authentically, including through curse words. George Carlin’s 14 forbidden words challenge societal norms and invite us to reconsider the nature of offensive language.
This reconsideration opens up a dialogue about the authenticity and emotional clarity that can come from such expressions. By embracing even the crassest parts of our language, we can confront and integrate aspects of our shadow selves, leading to a more profound acceptance and understanding of our entire being.
You’ll love The Shankara Oracle – it wants you to be who you are. It’ll help you fully accept and love your unadulterated, completely authentic Self.
Get The Shankara Oracle and dramatically improve your perspective, relationships, authentic Self, and life.
