# Insure the house — live in a prison

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Joke
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-sydney-insurance-prison-home
- Themes: humour, fear, security, Australia
- Life situations: insurance, anxiety

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Sydney man told to cut insurance premiums with screens, cameras and bars until home feels like prison — punchline setup for finding another way.

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

guy in Sydney I think I told this one before maybe some of you remember this guy in Sydney was just really really just upset at how much it cost for his insurance and the insurance company said if you want to get less premiums because of burglars and stuff you have to install security screens on your windows you get security guards like we've got over outside you have to have cameras everywhere bars on your windows it is like living in a prison but you have to because there's burglars around and he found a an alternative now he doesn't pay any insurance he's got free security and all he needed to do no bars on his windows no security screens no uh CCTV cameras all you did he went to Bunnings and brought a flagpole and on the flagpole is front garden he put a nicest flag

## Teaching point

Security that cages you is not safety.

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

A man told to fit bars and cameras to cut his premiums found free round-the-clock security instead: he flew a provocative flag that got the spy agencies watching him. Then a serious question: past trauma surfacing in meditation. Don't force it. Stop if you're not ready; care for it when you are, with professional support too.

## Source

- [Caring | Ajahn Brahm | 26 May 2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOVCsz6khAI) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 46:13 to 47:16: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOVCsz6khAI&t=2773s