Being Mindful Stories

Joke · Ajahn Brahm

'Now the drugs are wearing off'

As told by Ajahn Brahm in The Negativity of Positivity | Ajahn Brahm | 23-04-2010

1 min read

The story — as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

The story I read recently about the man who just woken up from his operation, just coming out of anaesthetic, and his wife was by his bedside, as you would expect. And the first thing he said when he opened his eyes and looked at his wife and said, "My gosh, you are beautiful." What a wonderful thing to hear from your husband when he just comes out of anaesthetic. And he closes his eyes, and a minute or two later, he opens his eyes second times, and said, "Wife, you're cute." "What would you mean 'cute'? You said I was really beautiful a few moments ago." He said, "Yes, but now the drugs are wearing off."

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 6:32 (to 7:15)

A reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

Coming round from anaesthetic, a husband called his wife beautiful, then just cute, because the drugs were wearing off. Ajahn Brahm expects trouble for that one. His point is honesty. Admit when life is painful, rather than forcing a smile. Then remember there is always something you can do about it.

In brief (our summary)

A man coming round from an anaesthetic sees his wife at his bedside: 'My gosh, you are beautiful.' He dozes, opens his eyes again: 'Wife, you're cute.' 'Cute? A few moments ago you said I was beautiful.' 'Yes, but now the drugs are wearing off.'

Teaching point

Told to make the point that honesty matters more than forced positivity.

When this story may help

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in The Negativity of Positivity | Ajahn Brahm | 23-04-2010 · 2010-04-25 · ▶ watch from 6:32 to 7:15 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Caption notes: Manual (volunteer) captions; occasional misspellings kept as is.

The narrative is Ajahn Brahm's own telling, quoted from the talk captions. The summary and reflection are Being Mindful Stories's editorial notes. Please credit the teacher and link the original talk. Markdown version

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