Being Mindful Stories

Story · Ajahn Brahm

The vet who wept when his dog was hit

As told by Ajahn Brahm in Unresolved Issues | Ajahn Brahm | 04-04-2014

1 min read

Content note: animal death

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

vet who finished work early on a Friday afternoon and went to somewhere in the Country of Victoria for a nice weekend party with his friends. So, on the way, maybe two or three hour journey, in the middle of the journey, he was overcome with unexpected intense grief. It was so bad he had to stop his car, park by the side of the road and just weep for about 15 or 20 minutes and he hadn't got a clue why. He just felt like crying and when he pulled himself together, and drove off to this house where he's gonna have the weekend party with his friends, the message was waiting for him. His dog had been hit by a car

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 48:01 (to 48:47)

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

Driving to a weekend party, a Victorian vet was suddenly overwhelmed with grief and pulled over to weep. When he arrived, the news was waiting: his dog had been hit by a car at that very moment. Ajahn Brahm believes love connects us across distance. Whatever you think of it, cherish those bonds while you can.

In brief (our summary)

Victorian vet driving to a weekend party is overcome with unexplained grief, pulls over and weeps; later learns his dog was hit by a car at that exact time.

Teaching point

Sometimes the body knows before the phone rings.

When this story may help

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in Unresolved Issues | Ajahn Brahm | 04-04-2014 · 2014-04-08 · ▶ watch from 48:01 to 48:47 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia

1 other telling of this story

Caption notes: Manual (volunteer) captions; occasional misspellings kept as is.

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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