# Too comfortable to waste on sleep

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-enjoy-the-bed-cant-sleep
- Themes: sleep, letting go, effort, meditation
- Life situations: insomnia, trying too hard

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Once Ajahn Brahm lay in bed unable to sleep — probably too much tea — worrying he wouldn't get to sleep in time. Then he thought: I spend so much time cross-legged talking to people; this is the most comfortable position, in my lovely warm bed with my pillow and soft blanket — why do I want to become unconscious and waste it? So he decided not to go to sleep and just enjoy lying there. The next thing he knew, he was waking up in the morning.

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

difficulty getting asleep but I know it's too much tea or coffee probably but everytime I decided yeah I'm gonna fall asleep I really want to fall asleep I really have to fall asleep I'm gonna get up early in the morning I've got to give a talk I've got to do this if I don't fall asleep I'm gonna be in big trouble and of course the anxiety kept you awake so instead what I thought as a mark especially my bed is the most comfortable place in the whole world number one no one asked me any questions I'm quiet and you're really comfortably are your beds comfortable nice and cozy crane why do you want to waste that beautiful experience by going to sleep so lay down it's just so nice who wants to go and sleep this is just so cozy and nice I just really want to enjoy this I don't want to go to sea I just want to enjoy the comfort and coziness

## Teaching point

Stop trying — to sleep or to meditate — and simply enjoy the moment; what you wanted comes by itself.

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

Lying awake and worrying about sleep, Ajahn Brahm decided his warm bed was far too comfortable to waste on unconsciousness. He would simply enjoy it. Next thing, it was morning. The same works in meditation. Stop trying to get somewhere, enjoy where you are, and what you wanted comes by itself.

## Source

- [How To Fall Asleep | Ajahn Brahm](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQNkJOtVJTw) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 0:57 to 1:52: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQNkJOtVJTw&t=57s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Power of Kindness | Ajahn Brahm | 22 October 2021](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHXlaUjymZU) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 1:24:05 to 1:25:05: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHXlaUjymZU&t=5045s