# I know you, Māra

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Analogy
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-i-know-you-mara
- Themes: Māra, depression, mindfulness, scripture
- Life situations: fighting depression, inner voices

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Buddhist scriptures: Māra the mischief-maker is overcome not by fighting but by recognition — 'I know you, Māra' — whereupon he droops his shoulders, lowers his head and leaves. Applied to knowing depression rather than fighting it.

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

I know you Mara that's all just understanding and as soon as the monk the N the lay person or in this case the Buddha said that I know you Mara this guy marao he knows me and would droop his shoulders lower his head

## Teaching point

Naming and knowing an inner troublemaker takes its power more than battling it.

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

In the old texts, Mara the troublemaker is defeated not by force but by recognition: I know you, Mara. Then he hangs his head and leaves. Ajahn Brahm applies it to depression and grief: get to know the feeling instead of fighting it. It passes like any weather. Hang in there, and ask for help when you need it.

## Source

- [Understanding suicide | Ajahn Brahm | 06-02-2015](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqPCMJH5Emk) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 22:41 to 23:06: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqPCMJH5Emk&t=1361s