# 'Trespassers will be converted'

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-trespassers-will-be-converted
- Themes: humour, acceptance, non-control, monastic life
- Life situations: trying to change a partner, self-improvement pressure

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

To keep wanderers out of the quiet Jhana Grove retreat centre, the society knew 'Trespassers will be prosecuted' never works, because people aren't afraid. So they put up something much scarier: 'Trespassers will be converted'. It keeps a surprising number of people out — and, he adds, they never actually try to convert anyone.

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

you will see at the entrance there's a notice there a signboard It is a bit of a joke but it was actually very effective because first of all we try to keep people from wandering into that retreat Centre, it's a place of quiet. we could actually put “trespassers will be prosecuted”. But that never works. because people aren't afraid. So instead we put something which is much more scary; Now there's a notice board there "trespassers will be converted". (Laughter) It's amazing how many people that keeps out

## Teaching point

Trying to convert someone is a form of control; love people (and yourself) as they are.

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

Jhana Grove's sign reads 'Trespassers will be converted', far scarier than prosecution, and it works. Of course they never convert anyone. Trying to remake a person is a kind of control. Don't try to convert your partner into an ideal, or yourself either. Love who's actually here.

## Source

- ['Out of Control' | by Ajahn Brahm](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEnU5BBr_7Y) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 43:59 to 44:33: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEnU5BBr_7Y&t=2639s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Meditation Kamma | Ajahn Brahm | 06-06-2008](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M5Fxmq5c9s) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 25:00 to 25:55: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M5Fxmq5c9s&t=1500s