# “I wish I could do that”

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-travel-agent-i-wish-i-could-do-that
- Themes: stillness, meditation, busyness
- Life situations: overstimulation, busy shopping centres, longing for peace

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Ajahn Brahm hates braving the noisy shopping centre to buy flight tickets. Once the monk accompanying him simply sits down, closes his eyes and meditates — and the travel agent stops serving Ajahn Brahm to say, “I wish I could do that.” She meant it.

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

And sometimes I remember going into that shop once with another monk and the other monk who was accompanying me just sat down on a chair, closed his eyes and started meditating. And the person behind the counter stopped serving me. Hello to him. And she said, "I wish I could do that." And she really meant it.

## Teaching point

A still, peaceful person amid a frantic world is a promise of something worthwhile that others long for.

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

While Ajahn Brahm bought tickets in a noisy shopping centre, the monk with him simply sat and meditated, and the travel agent stopped mid-sale to say, 'I wish I could do that.' She meant it. A calm person in a frantic place is a quiet promise to everyone around. Your stillness may inspire more than words.

## Source

- [Building a House of Peace | Ajahn Brahm | 13-04-2007](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxK7iqG2XQA) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 4:25 to 4:51: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxK7iqG2XQA&t=265s