# Vultures of metaphysics

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Analogy
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-chah-vultures-metaphysics
- Themes: intellectualism, heart, wisdom
- Life situations: over-intellectualising spirituality

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Ajahn Chah on overly intellectual people: they're like vultures — they fly very high in metaphysics, but where they live, they feed on dead stuff.

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

what actually what ajahn chah said he said they're like vultures they fly really high in metaphysics but where they live they feed on on dead stuff

## Teaching point

Feet on the ground and heart in the right place matter more than lofty theory.

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

Ajahn Chah said clever people are like vultures: they soar high in theory and come down to feed on dead things. Ajahn Brahm adds that we debate when we could love and laugh. Ideas are fine. Keep your feet on the ground and your heart in the right place, and let feeling and laughter in too.

## Source

- [Facing Difficult Situations in Life | Ajahn Brahm | 6 October 2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yy0k6zefVM) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 31:04 to 31:20: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yy0k6zefVM&t=1864s