# The Biggest Loser

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-biggest-loser-monk
- Themes: letting go, humour, renunciation, identity
- Life situations: feeling like a failure, fear of others opinions

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Challenging the slur 'loser', Ajahn Brahm lists what he lost becoming a monk — money, girlfriends, possessions, a nice motorbike — sleeps on the floor with no phone or superannuation, and claims the title of The Biggest Loser. In Buddhism, he says, losing everything is the point; come and join him.

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

look I admit I'm a loser I've lost so much becoming a Muk I lost all my money I lost my girlfriends I lost all my possessions I lost my motorbike had a really nice motorbike so really in this whole world because now look at me I just sleep on the floor you know I've just got no possessions I've got no super annuation I've got no TV I've got no mobile phone I've got nothing you know in this Australia you know I claim the title is The Biggest Loser because I've let go so much so why is it that people say you're a loser see people said look at me a from you're a loser say yes thank you so much it's wonderful being a loser come and join me

## Teaching point

Reframe the insult: letting go can make 'loser' a compliment.

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

Call Ajahn Brahm a loser and he'll thank you. He gave up money, girlfriends and a nice motorbike; no phone, no pension, a floor to sleep on. He claims the title of Biggest Loser. Our culture says losing is bad. Letting go turns out to be freedom. The word only stings if you agree with it.

## Source

- [Understanding Arguments | Ajahn Brahm | 15-04-2011](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDgBfvFv-54) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 44:03 to 44:49: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDgBfvFv-54&t=2643s