# The 17-year-old bricklayer who didn't look busy

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-young-bricklayer-effortless-rhythm
- Themes: mindfulness, work, presence
- Life situations: at work, being judged

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Building a Sydney mansion, the wealthy client wants the apprentice bricklayer removed — he doesn't look busy. The builder has him watch: the youth lays bricks faster, in perfect effortless rhythm, one at a time. In the moment you don't look busy — you get more done.

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

he was building some big mansion in Sydney and you know it was a very good contract because the owner was some very wealthy person and said look I don't care what the price is I want the best plumbers the best electricians the best Carpenters the best Brick Layers I don't mind paying extra because this is my house my Mansion I want it to be absolutely top quality and then one day when the uh the client this wealthy man just came to check on his Mansion he noticed this maybe 70 or 18 year old kid doing the brick work and he went straight to the building and complained he said look I wanted cross people people know what they're doing not some Apprentice this young guy get him off my building and that's when in the build said come and have a look at this young guy and this young guy didn't look like he was doing much work but when you counted the bricks he was laying those bricks much faster than any of the Old Brick Layers he had his incredibly beautiful Rhythm one brick at a time and every brick was perfect it was just flowing effortlessly and when the owner saw that or the client saw said wonderful great I never realized that because he didn't look busy he thought he was being lazy but when it was effortless one bit at a time it flowed so wonderfully he was an excellent brickl even though he's only 17 or 18 years of AG AG it's just like when you are in the moment

## Teaching point

Being fully in the moment looks like laziness to those who only admire frantic busyness.

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

A wealthy client wanted a teenage bricklayer sacked because he never looked busy. The builder had him watch: the lad laid bricks faster than anyone, one at a time in an easy rhythm. Being present looks effortless and gets more done. Ajahn Brahm jokes you should still look busy when the boss walks by.

## Source

- [The Three Most Important Things - Ajahn Brahm](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2bXP2o6mD4) (BSWA Retreats 2011-15 & Media) — watch from 12:56 to 14:36: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2bXP2o6mD4&t=776s