# Please — no jokes after the hysterectomy

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-hysterectomy-please-no-jokes
- Themes: humour, hospital, pain, compassion
- Life situations: hospital visits, recovering from surgery, cheering someone up

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

The society's former secretary, after a painful hysterectomy, asked Ajahn Brahm to visit but begged him not to tell jokes because laughing hurt. He tried and failed; the laughs still eased much of her pain.

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

Ajahn Brahm, please, please, please no jokes; [laughter] because if I laugh it really hurts". And I did try my best, and I did fail (laughter from the audience) the poor lady she was like oooh ahh ooh-that really hurt. (laughing) So if you think my jokes are painful wait till you have a hysterectomy and hear them. (laughter) But it did take away much of her pain, with a few laughs in the hospital

## Teaching point

Even when laughter hurts the wound, it can still lighten the suffering.

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

Recovering from painful surgery, a friend begged Ajahn Brahm: please, no jokes, it hurts to laugh. He tried and failed, and the laughter still eased her pain. Don't ask sick people how they feel; they feel terrible. Bring warmth and a little humour instead. Lightness can lift heavy days.

## 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 37:17 to 37:53: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As9jmZBCUWU&t=2237s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Transcending Negativity of Our World | Ajahn Brahm | 12 April 2019](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8WL9MQss2o) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 55:30 to 55:54: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8WL9MQss2o&t=3330s
- [Only The Body Is Sick | Ajahn Brahm | 04-11-2011](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfy69sa-h8E) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 35:00 to 35:30: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfy69sa-h8E&t=2100s
- [Living a Happy and Peaceful Life | Ajahn Brahm | 10 July 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_17-u_j6w9Q) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 20:34 to 21:12: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_17-u_j6w9Q&t=1234s
- [9. Cultivating Happiness](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebl-6mwBPwo) (BSWA Retreats 2011-15 & Media) — watch from 21:58 to 22:45: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebl-6mwBPwo&t=1318s