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Story · Ajahn Brahm

Singapore Airlines after the Friday talk

As told by Ajahn Brahm in Investing in Inner Qualities | Ajahn Brahm | 19 June 2020

1 min read

Content note: death

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

I got a call from Singapore that the husband of one of our um supporters had really helped us so many times. Even just when we got John Cowell for our retreat center, we just didn't have enough money to pay the bills. And when I went to over to Thailand, she said, "How much?" And I said, "Here's a check." She did it. And a a little Well, maybe a little thing or big thing like that, I always remember that. People really helped me, got me out of difficult situations. I will never forget you. Her husband died. And they called up I think in the morning of Friday. And said, "Can you come, please, tomorrow for the funeral on Saturday?" I said, "That's impossible. I've got to give a talk on a Friday night. I've got so many things to do. It's a really stupid thing to try and probably won't be able to get a flight." So, I rang up Singapore Airlines and got a flight. Leaving right after the Friday night talk. That's so stupid. I just arrived in Singapore on Saturday morning, sort of really tired, half asleep, but did the funeral for her

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 7:20 (to 8:42)

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

When a generous supporter's husband died, Ajahn Brahm flew to Singapore straight after his Friday talk and led the funeral half asleep. Absolutely ridiculous, he admits, yet he felt full of energy. Giving for someone who needs you has its own power. Kindness can recharge you.

In brief (our summary)

A supporter who had bailed out Jhana Grove finances lost her husband; they asked him to do the Saturday funeral in Singapore. After the Friday talk he flew overnight, arrived exhausted, and did the funeral — energy from kindness, he says.

Teaching point

Serving someone who once helped you can outweigh sleep and 'sensible' plans.

When this story may help

  • repaying kindness
  • sudden travel for a friend

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in Investing in Inner Qualities | Ajahn Brahm | 19 June 2020 · 2020-06-19 · ▶ watch from 7:20 to 8:42 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Caption notes: YouTube auto-captions: unpunctuated, words left exactly as captioned. 'John Cowell' as captioned (Jhana Grove).

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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