# Apologising to the iPhone

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-iphone-apology
- Themes: loving-kindness, anger, humour
- Life situations: frustration with things not working, temper

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

A supporter hits his failing old iPhone, remembers he is a Buddhist, apologises to it and wishes it peace — and it starts working at once.

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

one very, uhh, strong supporter was telling me That his old iPhone was not working, you know, sometimes you're mobile phones you used them so much and they get a bit passed it, but you know, he was just, you know he was trying to live a simple life so instead of replacing it, get a new one, he kept the old one. And when it wasn't working he banged it, he hit it and of course it still didn't work and then he realised: "I'm a Buddhist that's not the way you should do things" so he apologized to his iPhone "I'm sorry iPhone, I should not have hit you, I really apologize, I will never do that again, I wish you all peace and happiness" and he said it started working immediately.

## Teaching point

Respond to frustration with kindness rather than force.

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

When the old phone failed, the supporter's first move was a thump and his second was an apology and a wish for its peace. Whether that fixed the phone is anyone's guess, and it's told with a smile. Still, it's a fine test for the rest of us: when something lets us down, kindness calms us far better than force.

## Source

- [Learn to be at peace with yourself | Ajahn Brahm | 6 Jan 2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu0RtEG6V4A) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 42:13 to 43:00: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu0RtEG6V4A&t=2533s