Being Mindful Stories

Joke · Ajahn Brahm

I think I'm enlightened — I don't feel myself

As told by Ajahn Brahm in Learning How to Live Together | Ajahn Brahm | 2 February 2018

1 min read

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

this monk who woke up one morning and he told his fellow monk he said I think I'm enlightened. Said how do you know whether when I woke up in this morning I didn't feel myself. Okay I thought that was funny. But I blame Fennel Chan. I don't feel myself. No self. No self

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 31:00 (to 31:33)

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

A monk woke up announcing he was enlightened: this morning I didn't feel myself. No self, Ajahn Brahm groans. Then he recalls a priest who believed everyone is searching for God. His first instinct was to argue. He chose to respect it and keep the conversation going. Look for common ground before 'us and them'.

In brief (our summary)

Monk wakes claiming enlightenment because he 'didn't feel himself' — Fennel Chan / anattā punchline.

Teaching point

Even no-self can be a dad joke.

When this story may help

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in Learning How to Live Together | Ajahn Brahm | 2 February 2018 · 2018-02-02 · ▶ watch from 31:00 to 31:33 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Caption notes: YouTube auto-captions: unpunctuated, words left exactly as captioned. 'Fennel Chan' = ven. / friend name?

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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