# “A question for Mr. Monk”

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-mr-monk-sexologist-radio
- Themes: wisdom, stillness, humour
- Life situations: unexpected situations, out of your depth, public speaking

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Arriving late at a Perth radio studio after a Friday talk, Ajahn Brahm only learns once on air that he is co-hosting a two-hour adult-themes show beside Australia's best-known sexologist. Callers start asking questions 'for Mr. Monk', and the celibate monk of 33 years ends up outwitting the expert.

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

that sort of show I went on, on radio, on 6PR I think it was, and it was a show on adult themes, 10 to 12 p.m. people actually ringing up with sexual dysfunctions, problems in marriage. Imagine asking a celibate monk about that. But I was confident. I didn't know what I was talking about, but I was confident.

## Teaching point

A still mind sees deeply into anything — even subjects one has no experience of.

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

A celibate monk found himself co-hosting a late-night sex-advice show, and held his own beside the expert. He didn't know the subject, he admits, but he was confident. You don't have to feel ready to show up. Believing you're good enough is where growth begins, not where it ends.

## Source

- [Am I Good Enough? | Ajahn Brahm | 28 April 2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2mWuCk70Ck) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 1:02:58 to 1:03:24: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2mWuCk70Ck&t=3778s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Hissing But Not Biting | Ajahn Brahm | 11-03-2011](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzIzr7tJH7Q) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 22:26 to 22:48: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzIzr7tJH7Q&t=1346s
- [Building a House of Peace | Ajahn Brahm | 13-04-2007](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxK7iqG2XQA) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 7:36 to 10:19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxK7iqG2XQA&t=456s
- [Facing Difficult Situations in Life | Ajahn Brahm | 6 October 2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yy0k6zefVM) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 45:54 to 47:32: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yy0k6zefVM&t=2754s
- [Sex and Booze | Ajahn Brahm | 01-07-2011](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKQfkUXfx4Y) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 46:28 to 50:56: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKQfkUXfx4Y&t=2788s
- [Problems and Solutions | Ajahn Brahm | 30 Oct 2015](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivjWh2yuumk) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 3:25 to 7:40: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivjWh2yuumk&t=205s
- [Zero Ego | Ajahn Brahm | 6 March 2020](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlZbR1VMHrY) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 15:41 to 16:18: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlZbR1VMHrY&t=941s
- [Menghadapi Situasi yang Sulit Dalam Hidup | Ajahn Brahm | 6 October 2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCOm9Cy50Cc) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 45:54 to 47:18: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCOm9Cy50Cc&t=2754s