The dictionary says tears are a liquid produced by the body's process of lacrimation to clean and lubricate the eyes. As humans we also produce tears in response to extreme pain, or from an emotional response of sadness.  Sometimes we cry when we are happy and excited or extremely joyful.

So when the tears clean and lubricate our eyes, do they clean our minds and soul too? Shin Buddhism believes in the gift of tears as a way to cleanse the soul and heart. Christians as well believe tears to be a spiritual gift, "Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh" (Luke 6.21)

This past week, I sat in a public restaurant with a friend who is going through cancer. Our conversation soon turned into things we both experienced as cancer patients and life before and after cancer. We talked, we cried, we laughed, hugged and cried some more and we got stared at for our public display of emotions.

I realized that tears are indeed a form of stress release and therapy and soul cleansing, and promotes self awareness and self empowerment, but some people are uncomfortable witnessing it.

So why in most cultures is crying considered undignified and infantile and especially for men to cry is considered a form of weakness? In my humble opinion, I think we could all stand to do a little more public crying and sharing of this emotion whether in sadness or pure joy. If crying is childlike, well at least I enjoyed being a child again this weekend with a very dear friend and releasing a lot of fears, sadness, and bringing the joy of simple things back into our lives. I now feel that crying is as good a form of therapy as laughing.