# Where everybody thinks the same, no one thinks at all

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Analogy
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-everybody-thinks-the-same-slogan
- Themes: thinking, education, rebellion, wisdom
- Life situations: groupthink, study, spiritual inquiry

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

At Dalhousie University he joked their Latin motto should be replaced with: where everybody thinks the same, no one thinks at all — praising rebellious, deeper seeing.

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

change the name to the old slogan where everybody thinks the same where everybody thinks the same no one thinks at all

## Teaching point

Consensus without inquiry is not wisdom.

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

Visiting a Canadian university, Ajahn Brahm cheekily suggested a new motto: where everybody thinks the same, no one thinks at all. He loves a bit of rebellion. Meditation shows us things we never expected. Don't settle for agreeing with the crowd. Look more deeply for yourself.

## Source

- [Relax the Mind | Ajahn Brahm | 13 June 2025](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_HZAqnmAYM) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 41:11 to 41:26: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_HZAqnmAYM&t=2471s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Why Do People Do Bad Things? | Ajahn Brahm | 17-06-2011](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaEI0Z2tesA) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 19:06 to 19:22: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaEI0Z2tesA&t=1146s