Very insightful thoughts and observations divine one. My observation from my own life is that cruel jokes are parcipitated because of deep hurt. Having this knowledge often saves us much inner turmoil. I have also met those who have little to laugh about. When someone takes themselves that seriously there is cause for concern. They are often silent but at a certain point you realize just how cruel their silence is. Being truly friendly must withstand the test of time. You never know when you may fall in disfavor of someone because life isn't going along according to to someones expectations of you.
Perhaps you know what it is like to spend a lot of time and energy to a cause or person and then to have them suddenly turn on you. It shows a lack of compassion and love. A coldness of heart. People can have very different views yet ultimately be of the same vibration. Views come from the mind. Spiritual attainment and love are qualities that we cannot measure with the intellect and often become apparent with time. Time the great leveler.
Turiyananda used a quip that was effective for the occasion but sometimes we can be sarcastic in our joking which Master himself has pointed out is not spiritual. All i can tell you is my reaction. Someone else might have not had the same reaction. So it leaves one to wonder: Was Turiyananda being helpful on whose ears it fell or was he a bit sarcastic? At any rate even if he was sarcastic that too was showing me something about myself.
There is purpose in a gurus plan for us. Nothing happens by coincidence. Discipline is often quite difficult to the ego. I'll never forget Yogananda saying he missed Sri Yukteswars' disciplne so much. What an attitude! If i could only see things that way! Yet eventually, with God's grace; understanding comes....
Turyianada's quip was real good, I would have laughed as well I reckon, I usually do not mind being the butt of a joke as you say, people are joking, it means they are happy, cruel jokes are different, no jokes is worrying, some people may be silent or apparently friendly then they stab you at the back.
