# Hypnosis made the ice bath feel warm

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-hypnosis-ice-bath-warm
- Themes: mind, hypnosis, pain, perception
- Life situations: cold weather, chronic discomfort

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

On a TV hypnosis show a man sat in freezing water convinced it was a warm bath and enjoyed it — illustrating how much of cold and pain is mental.

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

put a person in a freezing cold tub of water but they convinced this guy under hypnosis that it was nice and warm, just like a warm hot bath. You like going in warm hot baths this time of year? Really nice, warm and hot is very very nice. I don't usually indulge but I remember one of the people here we went to Bhutan together. When I walked up this mountain when you came down again, all your legs were very sore because really exerting yourself. I remember just going into the bath, a good excuse at last, a monk can have a hot bath. Lovely just to relax there. But in this particular case it was ice cold water. But they convinced him it was a warm hot bath and he was having a wonderful time in the cold icy water

## Teaching point

Much of discomfort is the story the mind adds.

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

Hypnotised to believe it was warm, a man happily lounged in icy water on a TV show. On a freezing Perth morning, Ajahn Brahm suggests telling yourself what a lovely day it is. Cold preserves milk, he jokes, so it might add years to your life. Much of discomfort is the story we tell. Change the story.

## Source

- [How to deal with chronic pain | Ajahn Brahm | 04-07-2014](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As9jmZBCUWU) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 5:48 to 6:42: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As9jmZBCUWU&t=348s