# The worst procedure in the ward

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-hospital-ward-worst-procedure
- Themes: fear, humour, illness, speech
- Life situations: hospital stay, awaiting a medical procedure

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

In a Rockingham Hospital ward with three other men, they compare medical procedures to decide which is worst. Someone names a barium enema; a man in the corner goes white — 'That's what I'm having this evening.'

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

But one of the things we did in that ward, there was three other gentlemen in that ward and a monk. [laughter] And then having nothing to do all day, we just have these stupid conversations. And one of the conversations that four of us had is what's because some of them been in the hospital many times. That's my first time in hospital for years. And they we asked, "What's the worst medical procedure?" And someone said, "Oh, this procedure." And said, "No, no, no, no, no. That's easy. This procedure, no, no, that's easy." And I think if I get it right, I don't know if I remember this correctly, so many years ago, they said, "Oh, a barerium enema is the worst." And this poor man in the corner, his face went white. He said, "That's what I'm having this evening.

## Teaching point

Fear from careless talk can be worse than the procedure itself.

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

Four men in a hospital ward compared procedures and agreed one was the worst, just as the quiet man in the corner went white: that's mine tonight. Careless talk breeds fear, and fear makes everything hurt more. Be careful what you say to someone about to face something hard. Help them relax.

## Source

- [Confidence, Fear and Anxiety | Ajahn Brahm | 28 January 2022](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnYwHoYJID8) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 42:31 to 43:24: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnYwHoYJID8&t=2551s