# Tiger's Nest climb — then a hot bath

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-bhutan-tigers-nest-hot-bath
- Themes: travel, Bhutan, monastic life, humour
- Life situations: travel, austerity

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Bhutan: climbs Tiger's Nest in thin air panting; hotel has a bath — usually too much indulgence for a monk, but after the climb he soaks.

## The story, as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

bhutan and went climbing up the the tiger's nest and then it's a it's not that far up but it's like very low oxygen in the air so you're always panting just getting up there that's what you know what really makes it very arduous physically we're getting up there and coming back down again where they were letting me stay the night was in a hotel which had a bath i had a hot bath now usually as a monk that's too much indulgence

## Teaching point

Even austerity can negotiate a bath after thin air.

## Reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

After panting up to Bhutan's Tiger's Nest monastery in thin air, Ajahn Brahm allowed himself a rare hot bath and let the aches melt away. He had to ask what a jacuzzi was. Then he points out that meditation brings the same relaxation, no water needed. Enjoy simple comforts, and find the stillness that needs none.

## Source

- [Why Meditate? | Ajahn Brahm | 30 October 2020](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPlXnjcQIXw) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 15:59 to 16:34: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPlXnjcQIXw&t=959s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Guided Meditation | Ajahn Brahm | 8 June 2019](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKhOYvDRKrg) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 1:12:59 to 1:14:13: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKhOYvDRKrg&t=4379s
- [Guided Meditation | Ajahn Brahm | 9 November 2019](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MB-B7Kq4iA) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 11:44 to 12:03: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MB-B7Kq4iA&t=704s