# Perth Airport: 'That's my favorite book'

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-perth-airport-favorite-book
- Themes: books, kindness, recognition, travel
- Life situations: feeling your work matters, travel fatigue

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Landing at Perth Airport around 11 pm after Taiwan, the immigration officer asks if he has written any books. When he names Opening the Door of Your Heart she lights up — it is her favorite; she bought three extra copies for friends — and waves him through.

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

it's even just coming back last night, 11:00, I think, through Perth Airport. You know, just after you Those of you who do travel like me, as soon as you sort of go through the immigration, they check your card to see whether you go through straight through the um the customs or you have to get things x-rayed and stuff. And the lady who sort of checked me said, "Have you written any books?" Said, "Yeah, I've written this book, Open the Door of Your Heart." "You are Open the Door of Your Heart. That's my favorite book. I bought three extra copies to give to my friends. It's so wonderful. You're such a great man." Go through. Now, it's very nice being able to go through instead of getting everything checked and standing in line.

## Teaching point

A book that lands in someone's heart is a form of aid you may never see.

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

Arriving late at Perth Airport, Ajahn Brahm was asked if he'd written any books. When he named one, the officer lit up: her favourite, she'd bought copies for friends; go straight through. Skipping the queue was nice, he admits. Better was learning that something he'd shared had helped her. Kindness travels far.

## Source

- [Oh What A Relief! | by Ajahn Brahm | 16-05-2013](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_3cozc023Y) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 33:33 to 34:20: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_3cozc023Y&t=2013s