# Everyone has invisible spikes

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Analogy
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-invisible-spikes
- Themes: relationships, criticism, safety, metaphor
- Life situations: difficult relationships, wanting closeness

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Analogy: everyone grows invisible spikes. Some people enter a room and scratch everyone; most have average-length spikes that hurt only up close; a few have almost none — you feel safe no matter how close or foolish you get.

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

invisible spikes I forget where I learned this story it's a very beautiful image everyone has got spikes coming out of them invisible spikes some people their spikes are so long and so sharp they come into this room and everyone feels uncomfortable you get scratched you feel real you don't want to be around such people most people have got average leg spikes yeah you can be sitting next to them it's fine but you get too close and you get scratched but most some people have only got small amounts of spikes yeah you know you can be friendly to one another but you get too close and no you get scratched you know even in relationships you know your spikes are very very withdrawn but you get too close and there were some people who've got no spikes at all if you ever meet there wow they're amazing people you feel so safe they will never criticize you or harm you no matter how close or stupid you get

## Teaching point

How far your spikes stick out decides how close anyone dares to stand.

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

Everyone has invisible spikes, Ajahn Brahm says. Some scratch the whole room; most hurt only up close; a rare few have none, and around them you feel completely safe. Grow fewer spikes yourself. And with prickly people, love the tiger from a distance. Compassion includes protecting yourself.

## Source

- [Blaming Yourself And Others | Ajahn Brahm | 7 April 2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9wwjzeMVFM) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 50:50 to 51:58: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9wwjzeMVFM&t=3050s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Buddhism and Evil | Ajahn Brahm | 6 July 2018](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8WvK3y3tKE) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 42:36 to 43:23: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8WvK3y3tKE&t=2556s
- [A Buddhist's Valentine | Ajahn Brahm | 14-02-2014](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4RusDxPXmw) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 31:08 to 32:13: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4RusDxPXmw&t=1868s