Holy Laughter: Qiqong
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. Seventeen hundred devotees, most of them Chinese, showed up at the Masonic auditorium to listen to Yan. The San Francisco Chronicle on 5/16/91 reported that "minutes into his talk, several began experiencing what Yan Xin calls spontaneous movements." The Chronicle reporter said that "before long, the scene resembled 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" (citing Warren Smith by permission in an article for Spiritual Counterfeits Project entitled "HOLY LAUGHTER or Strong Delusion" (Fall, 1994, Vol. 19.2)). Holy Laughter: Kundalini Energy
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 healings. Christina and Stanislov Grof, New Age authors of the book "The Stormy Search for the Self," describe how the awakening of Kundalini energy can be triggered by an advanced spiritual teacher or guru. And how the awakening can bring up memories of past psychological traumas. The Grofs state that "individuals involved in this process might find it difficult to control their behavior; during power 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" (p. 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" (citing Warren Smith by permission in an article for Spiritual Counterfeits Project entitled "HOLY LAUGHTER or Strong Delusion" (Fall, 1994, Vol. 19.2), p. 14). Notice that the "Holy Spirit" is listed as similar to Kundalini. Donning's psychic dictionary defines the usage of the term "Holy Spirit" as:
"3. Usage: (John 20:22) 'receive ye the Holy Spirit' and Jesus transferred to them the ability to be psychic and receive the higher communications from God. . . . Inspirational Speaking: (II Peter 1:21) "for prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit"; they were able to predict the future, . . . by . . . psychic skills (moved by the Holy Spirit). . . . Syn. Holy Breath. The transference spoken of here seems compatible with the new move in the Church, where one must go to get "IT," rather than the Holy Spirit being everywhere to draw men to Christ through the reading of the word of God. Used over and over again, the "IT" that people go to get is defined in New Age circles as the Vital Life Force that "was in the air in the beginning given to all in accord with their ability to absorb and utilize it" (Donning). I actually heard one Christian international healer call out to those attending one of his televised meetings that the anointing was so strong that the audience must "breath in" the anointing quickly. Such is not the Personal God of Christianity, but "IT," the vital life force in the air. I remember reading one post on the Forum that a person testified to cautiously going up for prayer and saying that he felt an energy come up from earth rather from the minister when he was prayed for. I, too, have felt this power that wanted to rise up from the earth to rise up through me, but wouldn't allow it. Such power manifestations are common in the various non-Christian religions (New Age). There have been many testimonies in this latest questionable move of refreshing in the Church that also speak of God's power being manifested as electricity, or raw energy or a burning fire that can be experienced in the physical body. Twenty-five years ago, we taught these were Occult manifestations, because such manifestations were unheard of in the (charismatic/Pentecostal) Church. God was (and is) Spirit, not energy of any sort. The God manifested as energy or electricity is the God of the New Age. National leaders in the charismatic movement have been testified to as having this power that is electrical in nature, even to the point of affecting electrical and sound systems when they are in the same room. But God is not a God of confusion and disorder, who "walks" through meetings in His people disrupting electrical circuits, literally giving people a shock when His "anointed ones" touch people in prayer. When God is spoken of as an all-pervading energy, we should know this impersonal "IT" is the God of the New Age. The God of Christianity is personal: He creates (Gen. 1:1), destroys (Lk. 12:5), provides (Matt. 6:9-11), cares (1 Pt. 5:6,7), hears (Ps. 94:9-10), hates (Prov. 6:16), and loves (Jn. 3;16). Holy Laughter: Bwagwham Shreee Rajneesh
BWAGWHAM 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. Bahgvan'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" (citing Warren Smith by permission in an article for Spiritual Counterfeits Project entitled "HOLY LAUGHTER or Strong Delusion" (Fall, 1994, Vol. 19.2), p. 14). When I read this quote, I was absolutely astounded because of one of the video's I saw of Rodney Howard-Browne. Look at these comparisons (all RHB quotes from video of Browne unless specified otherwise):
1. R BROWNE: It is typical teaching that RHB tells people God likes to have fun with His children and wants them to laugh; this laughter is equated with "the joy of the Lord." 2. RAJNEESH: "God is not serious . . . this world cannot fit with a theological god . . ." 2. R BROWNE: "One night I was preaching on hell, and laughter just hit the whole place. The more I told the people what hell was like, the more they laughed." "The Holy Ghost . . . might have you do something that no one's ever done before, and he might have you do something that's totally unique. But don't question, and don't argue, and don't ask, and don't try to devise and to plan it out but just follow the prompting of the leading of the Spirit of God and, oh, great and wonderful things shall be done, for God will move in diverse ways and with diverse anointings in these last days." According to the August Charisma article, Rodney Howard-Browne "disparages" people who "try to apply theological tests" to what he does (SCP article).
3. R BROWNE: "We're drinking of that new wine. It's the wine that is divine." 4. RAJNEESH: "Rajneesh encouraged his followers to come and "drink" from him. 4. R BROWNE: "Take another drink . . . the bar is open. . . . Be filled! We loose the power! Have another drink!" 5. RAJNEESH: "Bahgvan's spiritual "wine" was often passed along with a single touch to the head." 5. R BROWNE: This same phenomena is typical of Rodney Howard-Browne in his services. 6. RAJNEESH: "Many of his Sannyasins would fall to the floor in ecstasy after their encounters with Rajneesh." 6. R BROWNE: This same phenomena is typical of Rodney Howard-Browne in his services. Holy Laughter: Ramakrishna
RAMAKRISHNA, an Indian saint, "daily went into 'samahdi,' 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), (citing Warren Smith by permission in an article for Spiritual Counterfeits Project entitled "HOLY LAUGHTER or Strong Delusion" (Fall, 1994, Vol. 19.2)). Ramakrishna "could send others into this state with a single touch to the head or chest," which is typical of Howard Rodney-Browne and others in the laughing movement. Such visions are occurring also with Christianity in the laughing refreshing. At a "Revival Fire" Conference in Petawawa, Ontario, a seven year old girl was healed of an eye problem, and once she arrived at the conference, the Holy Spirit fell on her, giving her visions of Jesus and heaven. For an hour or more, she laid on the floor praising Jesus while waving her hands. People began weeping and praying for her because this was such a beautiful thing to them. People testified to knowing the girl and that she could not fake what was happening because of her age. Eventually, she got up and danced and ran in a very graceful way. This scene was described as though she were watching Jesus as he told her what do or where to go or where to pray or when to worship or who to pray for. She then asked if she could run across the stage where other people were in prayer. She was told to do whatever Jesus said. She then prayed for the pastors and, as the person giving the testimony said, "they got blasted." She then ran through sections of people throughout the church and as she passed them, they would break out in holy laughter. My BIG question over this particular testimony is why did Jesus come to do what He sent the Holy Spirit to do? Who was she seeing? How could a seven year old have enough discernment or maturity to know if it was Jesus even if He did do such things? Further visions and phenomena have taken place during the PASSION & FIRE CONFERENCES being held by Master Potter ministries. In the brochure entitled The Great Intruder, "prophetically, the child Isaac, which means "Laughter," is [said to be] being released in nation after nation as the new wine is being passed. . . . It's a global move. What is beginning now is a picture of what will be worldwide. . . . God is strategically stirring the nations and changing the governments of the world and the Church. . . . I [am now] redefining the Church to prepare you for My Bridegroom." Prophetically releasing of the child Isaac into the nations on a global level to restructure them and redefine the Church is to me absurd. Why? Because when you look in Scripture for such a tremendous, overwhelming, breathtaking, worldwide move of God, it is not mentioned. The whole world is involved: governments, the Church, all peoples. Anything that comes out of such a move where the "child Isaac" is being prophetically released cannot be of God. The Holy Spirit came to glorify Christ. The Holy Spirit has been sent once and for all to indwell all who believe. Prophetically, the next step on the calendar concerning Christ is His VISIBLE, PERSONAL return to judge the nations. The following are some examples of what I consider unscriptural visions that have occurred as described in the promotional brochure: "* The Heart of Jesus--Hastings, New Zealand Holy Laughter: Swami Baba Muktananda I thought this section from the SCP article would be interesting if I pulled a few words out of it and read it, because it could perfectly describe a Holy Laughter meeting held in a Christian church.
". . . . (physical touch). . . . 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" . . . was so overwhelming they would find themselves involuntarily hyperventilating to cool themselves down." But now let's add everything I had taken out:
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 overwhleming they would find themselves involuntarily hyperventilating to cool themselves down (Per former Muktananda follower Joy Smith) (citing Warren Smith by permission in an article for Spiritual Counterfeits Project entitled "HOLY LAUGHTER or Strong Delusion" (Fall, 1994, Vol. 19.2)). Holy Laughter: Subud
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" (citing Warren Smith by permission in an article for Spiritual Counterfeits Project entitled "HOLY LAUGHTER or Strong Delusion" (Fall, 1994, Vol. 19.2)). As in latihan, what follows is "a spontaneous period [in which] various body movements and vocal manifestations - cries, moans, laughter and singing" occur, as well other things mentioned above:
LATIHAN: "the latihan proper is a time of moving the consciousness beyond mind and desire and allowing the power to enter and do its work. . . ."Other Articles On The Laughing Phenomena In Other Religions: Mantra vs. Tongues An investigative look at the use of New Age Mantra as opposed to speaking in tongues in the Browne ministry By Ed Tarkowski
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