by
3.4 of 5 stars
In this refreshing new take on spirituality, bestselling author Deepak Chopra uses a fictional tale of a comedian and his unlikely mentor to show u... read full description

reviews

Apr 21, 2009
erry rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Ketika sedang luntang lantung ga karuan di toko buku Gramedia di Pekanbaru, tak sengaja mata melihat sebuah buku dengan judul “menggoda”.” Mengapa Tuhan Tertawa?”. Jadi inget si naga yang sering memanggil gus gieb dengan “han han“. Jadi teringat teman-teman dan keluarga di Jakarta. Homesick yang kuderita semakin kuat mendera *lebay mode on*.

Ternyata..setelah kudekati si buku tadi, nafsu membeli buku semakin kuat ketika kulihat nama sang penulis –Deepak Chopra-. Siapa coba yang tdk More...
42 comments like (5 people liked it)
May 24, 2009
Dahlia rated it: 2 of 5 stars
Hmmmmm...
Secara keseluruhan idenya hampir sama dengan fire in the heart yaitu pertemuan antara manusia terpilih dengan seorang incredible yang membuka paradigma berfikir walaupun menurut pendapat g lokasinya kurang tepat karena terasa kurang mistis (hahah, ga penting tapi g tetep merasa ada yang salah)

Lewat teka-teki, buku ini menyoroti sesuatu yang lekat pada diri setiap manusia yaitu takut, ego dan candu. Terdengar sangat bagus dan menjanjikan bukan? Tapi ternyata cerita dan More...
3 comments like (2 people liked it)
May 23, 2009
Adih rated it: 1 of 5 stars
Chopra tells the of tale of Mickey, a stage comic, whose recently deceased father's soul came to clue him in that he's about to get a lesson on life. A guide equipped with puzzles, Francisco, is provided to help Mickey sees that he has been, among other things, trapped in life of fear, addicted to his ego, and have been taken hostage by social role that life entices instead of being a free soul. These get in a way to his own happiness --a big irony for a guy whose daily job is to bring laughter More...
Oct 05, 2009
Cheryl rated it: 2 of 5 stars
there were some funny jokes in this book, funny enough for me to attempt to memorize them and add them to my whole 2 other jokes i can ever remember... but i just didn't like the parable story about a selfish comic who is visited by the ghost of his father and an otherworldy guide/guru who teaches him what life is really about: letting go of ego and living in the present moment and if you are quiet enough, you can hear the music of the spheres, which is god laughing. i liked the last part, the More...
Nov 30, 2008
Karen rated it: 2 of 5 stars
It's always good to be reminded not to buy into fear and not to be driven by one's ego. The storyline in this book is interesting, but I didn't find any big revelations. I was surprised by the assertion that sin does not really exist in this world and that God laughs when he thinks people believe there is sin. Really. Murder is not sin? Stealing is not sin? What are they? Oh, right, illusions. I don't buy it. I don't believe that grace comes from obtaining some secret knowledge or by un More...
Sep 06, 2008
Tommy rated it: 2 of 5 stars
The answer to the question, "Why is God Laughing?" might very well be, "He's doing something more entertaining than reading this book."

Sorry to slam Deepak, but this book just failed to connect with me for three reasons:

1) The spiritual platitudes, while solid, were ones I've heard many times before, from various sources. Not that I fault Chopra for this, maybe it's just that the basics of a spiritual life are universal and as ancient as wisdom itsel More...
Jun 09, 2008
Lee Anne rated it: 2 of 5 stars
I picked this up hoping it would make me "happier with my lot in life," as I tend to put it. Every once in a while, reading some Self-Improvement/New Age-y title seems like a good idea, and I'd never read Deepak Chopra before, and you know how I like all things Indian...

Too bad the lessons are awkwardly couched in a Mitch Albom-style narrative, in which an actor/comedian, upset over the death of his father, meets a mysterious stranger who encourages him, though various exe More...
Feb 11, 2010
Barry rated it: 2 of 5 stars
This book is divided into two parts: an illustrative story at the beginning, and some spiritual principles from Mr Chopra at the end. The story is mildly entertaining but the principles are flat and uninspiring. The principles don't reference the story at all and it felt like two different books. The story was interesting but unbelievable and the book as a whole is not a must read. It's not a bad book, just not inspiring or educational.
Feb 18, 2010
KellyWells rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Just like all of Chopra's novels, this one is wrought with philosophy! It's pretty easy to find in this one and he gives a discourse in the back that is wonderful!
Favorite Quote of the Book:

"you keep on doing what never worked in the first place...dont.

addictions are artificial substitutes...

you're stuck on things that never bring you what you really want

you can't have real roses so you buy plastic ones

you can't think sweet More...
Jan 13, 2012
Desiree rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed the fictional story in this book. The messages that were present in the story of Mickey's life were much needed during the time that I read this book. Several points were highlighted as much needed reminders. The second part of the book I didn't enjoy as much. Maybe because it followed such a captivating first half and was quite dry and harder to connect to in my opinion. Overall, it was a pretty good read.
Jun 16, 2009
Melcat7 rated it: 2 of 5 stars
Like so many other books I pick up to be inspired, this one let me down as well. I found it to be cliche and drawn out to say the very least. The only redeeming quality of this book is that there were a handful of notions that had me stop and think-and consequently gaining a slightly altered perspective than when I began the book.
Jun 08, 2010
Pam rated it: 4 of 5 stars
In this book, Deepak Chopra uses a story about an unenlighted comic and his trip down spirituality lane to illustrate the steps needed to gain joy and optimism in one's life.

The story was interesting but I found that the last chapter of the book where the author actually explains the steps outright to be the best part of the book. I will have to read it again.
Mar 17, 2009
Allie rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I liked the format of this book in that it was easy to understand and he slips important messages in without beating you over the head with it. The last section of the book was the most helpful to me and something i know I'll reference again and again. This made me want to read more of his books!
Mar 14, 2009
Heather rated it: 4 of 5 stars

This book was quite a bit different from the other Chopra books that I have read. The spiritual lessons and ideas come through story, which makes this a light read. The book ends with 10 "principals of spiritual optimism" that I found useful and will continue to refer to in the future.
Sep 05, 2008
Ashley rated it: 3 of 5 stars
After having just read "Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desires," I thought I would check out the newest one from Chopra. It is written in story format, not nonfiction lecture. I got into the story. The Epilogue contained Chopra's thoughts on joy and optimism. Since I remain fairly optimistic in my life, or at least end back up there after troubles, I wondered whether the advice would resonate. It left me with the same struggle I have had for years--one that pops up often in my affinity tow More...
Aug 05, 2011
Jenifer rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I loved that this book was a unique way of looking at how we succumb to our fears and ego. As one who has recently started on my spiritual journey, I have to say the lack of judgment in this book was appreciated. This is not a hilarious book...but well worth the read.
Apr 29, 2011
Becca rated it: 2 of 5 stars
The story was readable and engaged me, but then as it began to explain the "lessons" from the story it became more fluffy new age jargon with lack of substance. If you are looking for a relaxing read, give it a shot. However, if you are looking for depth in spirituality, this isn't the best option.
Feb 26, 2011
Laura rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I can't really rate books like this as anything other than amazing, due to their profound insight, and the revelations they offer. Suffice it to say that I will be re-visiting the content often over the next while, and hopefully for a long time to come.
Jan 15, 2009
J-russ rated it: 5 of 5 stars
A great read. It is a spiritual book but not in the lecture style of so many of the genre. Deepak Chopra is inspiring and writes narratives that are easy to relate to. Definitely a worth read!! (and it only took 2 days to read)
Jan 31, 2011
Samantha rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this book. it's about the connection between spirtiual awareness, optimism and humour. Anyone would like this book, anyone who wonders about God or afterlife. I certainly do, and this book was great!
Jul 05, 2010
Greta rated it: 2 of 5 stars
Ebenezer Scrooge meets the 21st Century. I'm not quite sure why God is laughing, but Chopra's message is the same as many of the other spirituality / New Age books out there: joy comes from within. And meditate.
Jun 07, 2009
Ovie rated it: 2 of 5 stars
too bad the translation is so very bad!!!

damn the translator !! and publisher !!

well, actually its pretty good.. some book u can learn smth from

so far ive learned bout fear n ego..

wonder what next
Dec 06, 2010
David rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Very inspiring, considering what I am going through right now; my whole world's being turned upside down, and I accept the challenge! --From A Reader's Journal, by d r melbie.
Feb 26, 2009
Lian rated it: 4 of 5 stars
The title made me so curious that I had to buy it right away... It's a different book with a very different point of view.. I think it's an interesting and enjoyable read...
Aug 15, 2010
colleendeborah rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Fast easy read. Focus of book was dubunking the myth that God is cruel or vindictive. Comedy and story used to illustrate the purpose of life, joy, and easing up on oneself.
Jan 13, 2009
Catherine added it
I loved the answer.
This is a fun read for anyone who is interested in learning why god is laughing. Deepak Chopra has a wonderful way of stating the obvious.
Nov 21, 2008
Steven rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Not my favorite of Chopras....His magnum opus is the Spontaneous Fullfillment of Desire.... read that one of Chopras before you pick up anything else by him...
Oct 13, 2010
Jeffrey rated it: 3 of 5 stars
It's a fun book, but only read it on the 15th of the month and not the first. I told my landlord to laugh when I was late with the rent. He didn't think it was so funny.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Aug 01, 2011
Sfdreams rated it: 3 of 5 stars
I have been a fan of Deepak since the mid-to-late eighties when I saw him along with Louise Hay, Marianne Williamson, and others at a killer event in the Bay Area. I went in thinking, "Deepak who??" and was blown away by his talk on quantum physics and the body.

I liked this book, even though I did not like the cheesy comic so much. I particularly like the thought of "listening to the music of the spheres" and the comic's father who after dying said that he heard More...
Jan 04, 2012
Alvi rated it: 3 of 5 stars
My very first Deepak Chopra book. He explains concepts of enjoying life without feeling fear in a very lucid fashion with jokes.