NOT Always Greener On The Other Side

"Once there was a frugal farmer who tried to feed his cows with mouldy hay and the cows wouldn't eat it. The farmer then mixed up the mouldy hay with fresh hay hoping to trick the cows into eating the mouldy hay. The cows separated the hay and ate only the fresh hay. The farmer came up with an idea. He put the mouldy hay on the other side of the fence but it was within the reach of the cows if they pushed through the holes in the fence. That was exactly what happened. The cows reached out and ate all the mouldy hay..."
Like cows, we often have the notion that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. This gives rise to jealousy, envy and in turn, suffering.
According to Ajahn Brahm, we need to change our attitude towards life. Statistics show that the optimal happiness one can achieve in life is not measured by immense wealth, great beauty, high flying careers or social standing.
According to Buddhist teaching, it is the middle way that counts. Embrace your 'average' circumstance and enjoy the experience.

[@Beatstranger]

I've been listening to AB for about 2 years on a regular basis. For me, he's the living image and example of Buddhism for the 21st century. He's so profound he's silly, as the good meaningful philosophers should be for the general public. He's entertaining, extremely funny (which really gets a load off your "serious" buddhism) and has bags of skilful teaching resources for the masses. Please listen to his talks when you can and I wish they help you as they help me. May you all be peaceful

[@justinwalker4475]

🤔

[@lordbyron3603]

AB doesn’t have a cent to his name, and yet, he’s one the richest, one of the happiest and beloved people in the world!! I want to be like him.

[@guyneo]

I like his talk very much. The more I listen to him, the more I am able and willing to accept my flaws. I am learning to live within my means in term of ability, job scope, income, my children, my connections, my relatives, my parents, my home and my body. I like his word "I am good enough''. It is still a very high order. There are many ups and downs. I am learning and glad that I found Master Ajahn to be 'Lighthouse''. Somehow, his talks always seem to fill some gaps I have in my life. Thanks

[@fullfist]

the strange thing is, we already "know" this deep down, i already heard this talk, but i still need him to remind me. when i go longer without listening to one of these talks, i start to lose this masterful wisdom like exercising, it's not enough to do it once

[@Macthetrix1]

Imagine if anybody would listen to this talk the world would be a better place (:

[@whatthis4366]

He and his teaching are just such wonderful blessings in my life!

[@sachinthaherath4902]

Such a masterful teacher you are Ajahn Brahm!!😊😌👌 Grateful to have access to your teachings and may you be blessed with good karma.❤💗🙏🙏🙏

[@elizabethmscooperse2566]

thank you for thesewise reminders given always in your fun and compassionate way!

[@jman552]

I agree with you ... But on the other hand, Eddie really shows how patient is Ajahn Brahm... Eddie will be a good person to test anybody if they are real

[@SandraLovesSun]

I love how he even cares about his podium - always stroking it. He means so much to me.

[@sachinthaherath4902]

@Sandra 😂🤣

[@justinwalker4475]

pfff

[@justinwalker4475]

ok sandra

[@marillavanbeuren8572]

There's no place like home, I love his analysis of traveling. A previous job in my life required constant travel, I "thought" I loved it, then one day, to pack another suitcase became impossible. Things that were new thru traveling were already there at home but I never noticed, the greener grass on other side of the fence,.

[@noeking15]

This is my best pick for Ajahn Brahm's talk..He definitely covers everything wrong about how I used to think. Thanks for the great talk!

[@justinwalker4475]

and yet if you just listened looked inside yourself you would have seen it

[@justinwalker4475]

from experiance

[@PhoenixProdLLC]

'When I was your age, I walked through 5ft of snow against - 30°F winds in bare feet to get to school!' - - that's what his opening statements sounds like :P

[@shughes428]

As always refreshing to my spirit.

[@whereverLv]

Priceless

[@NAMASTEONELOVE]

Love these talks

[@trukambo]

he's on a whole new level in life.

[@gerfitton495]

Thanks for all your help with your logic inspiring work

[@rickbangkok]

Eddie is a joy. He sounds very Singaporean! He knows cosmology very well too.

[@justpickin4me]

me too, ran out...seen them all and its nice to see a new one. i have to wait till monday mornings...lol. wish i was in WA but i will make it...

[@1001orpheus]

A sort of timeless wisdom...

[@deegee6723]

In deep gratitude for all the learning !

[@MerryLore]

Beautiful! Exactly the talk i was needing to hear :D

[@richardguetlich6831]

I do agree with you Ajahn Brahm.

[@lovemanga079]

He didn't mean to be a celebrity though. He just want to share what he get from his lives, retreats and meditation, and many people find useful to listen to it. And we don't even have to agree all of his talks. For me I just pick up the parts that are suitable for me. And luckily I found most of the talks are useful for me. And for he's living in a monastery, a different lives of most of us, maybe he can also provide a different angle for us?

[@johnfretz1938]

Fear not Ajahn Brahm, you are in fact, beautiful. =)

[@lordbyron3603]

If you’re rich and have poor friends around you, you can bet they’re there because of your money. Why is that such a bad thing? Isn’t that the nature of having more and the nature of having less? The sun has more mass and more gravity and hence it attracts planets with far less mass and gravity. A rich person will only suffer if he holds on to his money for himself. A poor person only suffers if he envies the rich person.

[@jgaunt1]

I do hope you enjoy this for what it is Blessings to you-John.

[@lisamariechapman7281]

Because being like, some one else is to assume a life with out pain ... I like this, one ..

[@ph33lix]

Ice cream on curry sounds like a nice idea.

[@limbenglee]

So good

[@martrix82]

thank you 4 taking the time to say that its nice to now but life is strang at times and i fined Ajahn Brahm has sum intresting things to say i do not no if i agree with them all but i try to be open minded well i now i am not ment to say this but i bope you can get over what ever is making you sick and thx agen be well

[@macrossjs]

48:43 Thank you Ajahn Brahm :)

[@garyglittereatschild]

I agree with most of his stuff but why does he think that going travelling is suffering? its interesting its exciting. I don't understand how that type of 'want' causes immense suffering as it doesn't. i can understand suffering for beauty or money, but holidays are nice for two weeks of the year. Surely he must have a holiday from being a monk, he must be quite tired signing books every week.

[@Marmur12345]

Great

[@wootwootwoot32]

I needed to goto the toilet she needed to draw me a map

[@123chandimal]

Thank you ! Ven. Ajan Brahm.Can u upload a video about vesak festival in u r aaryanya senasanaya/monastry

[@kennyongyc]

beautiful

[@martrix82]

well i now its rong but i would take the ritch ppl sufering as i dont reely have any friends and like my own company : ) it would give me the time to see the world as i want to see what i can see but good chat and i do get what your saying thow

[@sedthh]

going trough the entrance door of the dhamma hall :)

[@Bakmoon]

Show up on time I suppose. The talks are all open to the general public.

[@fingerprint5511]

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@lindagriffith7973]

Yuy

[@neo001x]

ooooooh calming - this is comedy

[@japandata]

What he said....

[@michaele.4702]

I do wonder if that form of reincarnation is correct as I swear I'm loosing all my memories in this life. :)

[@iamphineas]

I agree, those points work against him. On the other hand he has to get his message out somehow. I think the real challenge is to continue to manage one's social responsibilities (work, family, friends), and yet cultivate inner peace and goodwill at the same time. And its good to know that, even as a C-grade celebrity monk, he has encountered issues with envy, physical discomfort, and other challenges of the human condition. We can learn from this.

[@justinwalker4475]

how many bots out there o0

[@Yora21]

12:00 The optimum income is to make as much money as your friends and neighbors. When people feel their wealth is fair, they are the most content about it. And looking it up: The average yearly income in Australia is $50 - 60.000...

[@justinwalker4475]

moans alot though tbh

[@justpickin4me]

B.S.