We naturally go towards play, fooling around, it just can’t be stopped, well not completely. Western culture has certainly put it into it’s own little basket over there, way over there.
The opposite of play is not work it is depression, dissatisfaction with life, social inadequacy and isolation, developmental stunting, together with physical deterioration and ill health.
I believe play is the natural state of mind, which is open. Open to learn, to love, to imagine, to surrender, to receive, to give and to connect to things, people and information.
Humans are not the only ones playing. Play is universal and friendly play also comes in strange combinations play crosses the species divide. It creates trust, fun and co-operation between all sorts of animals.