Joke · Ajahn Brahm
I noted jewelry going out, going out, going out
The story — as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)
i saw the burglars going in and i noted burglar going in berkeley going in burglar going in i saw jewelry going out and i noted jewelry going out jewelry going out jewelry going out i saw them backing a van into your house and i saw safe going out safe going out i was very mindful i was noting all the time madam it's not just about noting sometimes there's a response necessary so i'm restrained to make the mind really peaceful to safeguard your belongings and what do you really owe peace stillness joy don't let anybody burgle that
▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 1:01:50 (to 1:02:38)
A reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)
Burgled while meditating, a man calmly noted: burglar coming in, jewellery going out, safe going out. Mindfulness sometimes needs a response, Ajahn Brahm laughs. Guard what's truly yours: peace, stillness and joy. Don't let anyone break in and steal those. They're your real treasures.
In brief (our summary)
Joke about a meditator whose house is burgled: he was very mindful — noted burglar going in, jewelry going out, safe going out — but never responded. Mindfulness needs a response sometimes; don't let anyone burgle your peace.
Teaching point
Awareness without wise response is not enough; protect what matters.
When this story may help
- needing a laugh
- passive mindfulness
Themes
- humour
- mindfulness
- meditation
- protection
Source & credit
Told by Ajahn Brahm in Kindness, Generosity and Forgiveness | Ajahn Brahm | 8 July 2022 · 2022-07-08 · ▶ watch from 1:01:50 to 1:02:38 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia
1 other telling of this story
- Interview: Tough Questions for Ajahn Brahm | 06 Nov 2017 · 2017-12-13 · ▶ watch from 12:32 to 13:06 · Buddhist Society of Western AustraliaNov 2017 interview: guard notes burglars in/out with jewelry — was mindful.
Caption notes: YouTube auto-captions: unpunctuated, words left exactly as captioned. 'berkeley' = burglar; 'dear rats' = dear hearts.
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