Ajahn Brahm Podcast End of Spiritual Elitism
Feb 16, 2025
Ajahn Brahm tackles the pitfalls of spiritual elitism, questioning why people seek titles and status in religion. He explores how the concept of 'no-self' challenges ego-driven superiority. Through anecdotes, he critiques measuring progress by time and warns of the conflicts born from claims of superiority. Emphasizing empowerment over control, he advocates respecting virtue rather than rank. Brahm encourages learning from multiple teachers and recognizing true peace and freedom in teachings, urging listeners to abandon elitism in favor of kindness and understanding.
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Ego Drives Spiritual Elitism
- Spiritual elitism stems from the ego's need to compare and feel superior or inferior.
- Ajahn Brahm explains that measuring selves contradicts core spiritual teachings like no-self.
The Chicken Meditation Parable
- Ajahn Brahm relays Ajahn Chah's joke that chickens sit on eggs longer than monks sit meditating.
- The punchline shows that sitting long alone doesn't produce enlightenment.
Comparison Breeds Conflict
- Comparing who is better or worse inevitably produces conflict and violence.
- Ajahn Brahm links measurement-based superiority to real-world religious and political clashes.