# What drug is he giving you?

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-sydney-executive-what-drug
- Themes: retreat, meditation, work, humour
- Life situations: work stress, taking leave, burnout

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

A high-flying Sydney executive has to beg and grovel to her boss for time off for a nine-day retreat at Jhana Grove. Afterwards she emails Ajahn Brahm: as soon as she got back, her boss took one look at her and said, 'I don't care what drug Ajahn Brahm is giving you, but please bring me back some next time.'

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

This lady from Australian girl from Sydney, one of these high executives. When she came, she said, "I had to beg and crawl and grovel from my boss to get the time off." But then she sent me this email after the 9-day retreat had finished and she said, "AJ, as soon as I got back to work, my boss took one look at me." And she he said to me, "Look, I don't care what drug Ajan Brah is giving you, but please bring me back some next time." She looks so peaceful and happy. It's weird.

## Teaching point

Sitting quietly can transform you visibly; going inside gives more joy than outside entertainment.

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

A Sydney executive begged for time off to sit a nine-day retreat. When she came back, her boss took one look and asked whatever drug Ajahn Brahm was giving her, could he have some too. Nothing but sitting quietly. Peace shows on a face. Rest is not wasted time; it's good for you and everyone you live and work with.

## Source

- [Happiness and Wanting | Ajahn Brahm | 24 February 2023](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taAa3uWPm2o) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 56:29 to 57:16: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taAa3uWPm2o&t=3389s

Other tellings of this story:

- [It's OK to Cry | Ajahn Brahm | 5 November 2021](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGUifWXKcbU) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 1:09:55 to 1:10:50: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGUifWXKcbU&t=4195s
- [Finding fault or finding beauty | by Ajahn Brahm | 5 June 2015](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K8ejLdmOK8) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 27:31 to 27:47: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K8ejLdmOK8&t=1651s
- [Stress and Meditation | Ajahn Brahm | 12 July 2024](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNJGg_XVfvo) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 39:39 to 40:09: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNJGg_XVfvo&t=2379s
- [3 Silent contentment](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg0jViXbVEA) (BSWA Retreats 2011-15 & Media) — watch from 39:17 to 39:43: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg0jViXbVEA&t=2357s
- [2022 January (1/19) | 9 day Retreat | Ajahn Brahm](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSl9f1_vJNA) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 35:35 to 37:16: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSl9f1_vJNA&t=2135s
- [2023 April (1/19) | 9 day Retreat | Ajahn Brahm](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98nirVZgiG4) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 5:43 to 8:27: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98nirVZgiG4&t=343s