# Harrow Brook neighbours filled the sitting room

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-harrow-brook-neighbours-helped
- Themes: community, family, UK, care
- Life situations: emergencies, neighbours

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Mother injured; blood trail into the apartment; before the ambulance, Harrow Brook neighbours pack the sitting room asking how to help — a village in a high-rise.

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

trail of blood going into my mother's apartment and before we'd know washed her before the ambulance came I don't know how many people from that Harmon Brock were inside my brother my mother sitting room asking what has happened is anything we can do to help I saw there was a village here and people actually cared for each other

## Teaching point

Closeness can make a village even in flats.

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

When Ajahn Brahm's mother was hurt at her London flats, neighbours packed her sitting room before the ambulance came, all asking how they could help. It was a village in a tower block. Living close, people know each other. High walls keep neighbours strangers. Get to know the people next door.

## Source

- [How to Change The World | Ajahn Brahm | 13-07-2007](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R6rUeUJZ5c) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 46:07 to 46:34: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R6rUeUJZ5c&t=2767s