# A terrible retreat — he only got the first jhāna

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Joke
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-joke-only-first-jhana-terrible-retreat
- Themes: humour, meditation, contentment, jhana
- Life situations: spiritual ambition, dissatisfaction

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

A retreatant complains his retreat is terrible because he can only reach the first jhāna, not the second. Ajahn Brahm: one jhāna is more than good enough — a complaining mind always wants more.

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

this guy who came up to me once and said he's having a terrible retreat. He can only get into the first genre. He can't get into the second. This is crazy stuff. If you know what the jas are, there's deep meditation. You're blissing out. Just one janna is more than good enough

## Teaching point

Contentment beats spiritual greed; deep peace is already extraordinary.

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

A retreatant complained his retreat was terrible: he could only reach the first deep meditation, not the second. Ajahn Brahm laughs; one is blissful enough. A complaining mind always wants more, at retreats and in life. Our homes are warmer than ever, yet never enough. Find contentment with what you have.

## Source

- [The Dangers of Complaining | Ajahn Brahm | 1 March 2024](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYLHU0eddYA) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 29:27 to 29:52: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYLHU0eddYA&t=1767s