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Story · Ajahn Brahm

Only you, Ajahn Brahm — the retiring officer

As told by Ajahn Brahm in Hope | Ajahn Brahm | 8 April 2016

1 min read

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

come back to teach in our prison? And I said I'm too busy, and he said no we really want you to come and teach. Because I really am a very very busy monk, it is Friday night talk, tomorrow morning four o'clock leaving here to get to the airport to catch a plane to Indonesia to give a talk tomorrow night in Medan. 244 minutes I found out today, and then over to another city, six cities

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 9:29 (to 10:00)

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

A retiring prison officer insisted Ajahn Brahm himself come back to teach, despite his packed schedule. Why me? Because, the officer said, none of the prisoners from his classes had ever returned to jail. It was one of the greatest compliments of his life. Never underestimate what patient kindness can do.

In brief (our summary)

Retiring high-security prison officer insists only Ajahn Brahm return to teach; Brahm feels busy and lazy but the request is personal.

Teaching point

Sometimes the only invitation that matters names you alone.

When this story may help

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in Hope | Ajahn Brahm | 8 April 2016 · 2016-04-08 · ▶ watch from 9:29 to 10:00 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Caption notes: Manual (volunteer) captions; occasional misspellings kept as is.

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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