[ambientambien]

Hello,

Thich Nhat Hanh, in his many books, often recommends smiling as a spiritual or Buddhist practice.

I suppose the method is not original to him, but at the moment I can't think of any other dharma teachers who especially recommend it. I can't think of any sutras that especially recommend it, though there are sutras I have not heard or read. I am more familiar with the Pali Canon, less with the Mahayana sutras.

Personally, I get gloomy sometimes. Sometimes don't smile much during gloomy periods. I'm a bit shy, too, sometimes reserved, and serious-minded. Sometimes I just can't muster a big bright smile when I would like to. During cheerful periods, it's easier. (During my gloomy periods, I'm not depressed, really, just kinda gloomy.)

Typically, I smile much more easily if someone smiles at me first. I would like to give that gift to others, too, and give it first, but genuine warm smiles are basically involuntary. You have to feel it first.

I invent a lot of spontaneous jokes during conversation. These probably make it easier for me to smile. Unfortunately, my sense of humor is so dry that I often have to say, "Uh... That was a joke."

If you're interested in the topic of warm, genuine smiles:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duchenn...chenne_smiling

Buddhism sometimes seems like a gloomy topic, at least to me, particularly when I'm in a gloomy mood. When I'm in a happy mood, it seems more like a happy topic.

I imagine Gautama Buddha as someone who smiled warmly and often. I have a vague notion that some sutras say that, though I'm not certain.

I'd like to know:

--What notable Buddhist teachers or traditions have specifically recommended smiling, or discussed it in detail?

--What are some sutras that specifically mention smiling?

--What tradition or teacher did Thich Nhat Hanh get the idea from?

--Is it reasonable to combine some kind of smiling practice with meditation practice? Any suggestions about how, or how not to do that?

--Any off-hand ideas or personal experiences on this topic would also be welcome on this thread.