Ajahn Brahm

How to Prioritize?

On January 9, 2021, after meditation we met online for a Teachers’ Corner session on the topic of “How to Prioritize?

At Teachers’ Corner last Saturday, we listened to a talk by Ven. Ajahn Brahm on “How to Prioritize?” He taught us that the most important thing to prioritize is simply whatever you are doing right now and the person who is right in front of you. Be caring about that person, be fully present, and be mindful. Be people-focused instead of results-focused. In doing so, innovative solutions and wisdom will naturally surface. And be sure to take care of yourself too.

While this teaching may not appear to be a “technical answer” to how one might prioritize a long list of to-dos, Ajahn Brahm reminded us that in life, nothing is really ever “finished.” There is always more to do. Therefore, instead of fretting about when you will finish your (never-ending) to-do-list, enjoy the process and be fully mindful, and it will turn out to be wonderful no matter what.

After hearing the talk, the group shared what they found most inspiring or helpful from the teaching, as well as their own experiences with the power of showing care and being present for others.”

The video we shared during our session is posted below. Happy learning!

 

From the Teachers: How to Prioritize?

Dharma Video:

During our session we watched the following segments of the video: from 00:00 to 09:23; from 22:08 to 50:03.

How to Prioritise” by Ven. Ajahn Brahm*

* Ven. Ajahn Brahmavaṃso, or simply Ajahn Brahm, is a renowned British-Australian Theravada Buddhist monk. Before becoming a monk, he studied Theoretical Physics at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge in the late 1960s and taught in a high school for one year before traveling to Thailand to become a monk. He was ordained in Bangkok at the age of 23, and subsequently spent 9 years studying and training in the forest meditation tradition under Ajahn Chah. Currently Ajahn Brahm is the Abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery, in Serpentine, Western Australia. He is invited to give numerous lectures globally each year, and is an author of several books including Don’t Worry, Be Grumpy, and Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung?