# Your brother will snore — and so will you

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-brother-snoring-guest
- Themes: snoring, listening, humour, hospitality
- Life situations: shared rooms, family visits

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

A visiting monk's brother needs a bed; Brahm warns that sharing a room means the brother will snore — and so will the monk. The guest insists it will be fine; of course Brahm is right.

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

his brother was visiting him and you know there was not enough space for him to stay at our Monastery so he asked can he stay in the same room with me so well it's your brother you know can't see why not but I told him you know you know cuz he said that he grew up with his brother lived in the same room with his brother when he was growing up but I said that's not the same as when you're in your 50s he will snore and so will you

## Teaching point

People who grew up with a snorer still underestimate the sound until it is their night.

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

A monk's brother came to stay, and Ajahn Brahm warned them both would snore. The monk was sure it would be fine. Of course the abbot was right. Lying awake, the monk recalled Ajahn Chah's teaching that we disturb the noise. So he heard the snoring as a Beethoven symphony, woodwinds and all. Change the perception, and the night changes.

## Source

- [The Art of Listening | Ajahn Brahm | 11-04-2014](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sylr4u_stxY) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 8:48 to 9:22: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sylr4u_stxY&t=528s