Being Mindful Stories

Joke · Ajahn Brahm

Marquee or wigwam: 'You're too tense'

As told by Ajahn Brahm in The Dangers of Fear | Ajahn Brahm | 4 November 2022

1 min read

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

the last little story about fear is of this man who went to the psychologist. And as he went into the psychologist office, he said, "I've got a big problem." What's your problem, sir? Said, "Sometimes I'm sure I I I'm a a marquee." You know the marquee, the big tents which I use for big functions. He said other times of other days of the week I'm sure I'm a wigwam. That's you know what indigenous um uh Indians in US used to live in. Sometimes I think I'm a wigwam. Sometimes I think I'm a marquee. And the psychologist thought for a while this is weird. But the psychologist said oh yeah I know your problem. You're too tense.

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 47:06 (to 48:04)

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

A man tells his psychologist that some days he's a marquee and other days a wigwam. The diagnosis: you're too tense. Ajahn Brahm admits he's told it before, but wants everyone to leave smiling after a talk on fear. A good groan at a pun is a fine way to loosen up. Relax.

In brief (our summary)

A man tells his psychologist: some days he's sure he's a marquee; other days he's sure he's a wigwam. The psychologist thinks, then says: 'I know your problem. You're too tense.'

Teaching point

A pun to end a talk on fear with a smile.

When this story may help

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in The Dangers of Fear | Ajahn Brahm | 4 November 2022 · 2022-11-04 · ▶ watch from 47:06 to 48:04 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia

1 other telling of this story

Caption notes: YouTube auto-captions with machine-added punctuation; words left exactly as captioned.

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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