Girl by the river

Two Zen monks, Tanzan (1819-1892) and Ekido, traveling on pilgrimage, came toa muddy river crossing. There they saw a lovely young woman dressed in her...

Donkey in the well

Never giving up! One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out...

Everything God does is for the good!

     Once Rabbi Akiva was traveling with a donkey, rooster, and lantern.He came to a village seeking lodging. No one took him in. He...

Two apples

Do not rush to judge A lovely little girl was holding two apples with both hands. Her mom came in and softlyasked her little daughter...

See the whole picture. Useful parable

Seeing things holistically After years of searching, the seeker was told to go to a cave, in which he would find a well. 'Ask the...

The Burning Hut

Good Luck Signal The only survivor of a shipwreck washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and...

Be alive! A zen parable

It is enough just to be alive One morning Master Lin-chi was in the temple. Soon a young man came in and sat nearby with...

“This is good!”

One African King had a close friend with whom he grew up.The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred...

Happiness is a choice

A simple choice One man was happy all his life. He smiled and laughed all the time, no one ever saw him sad. On occasion,...

The Water Bearer

A beautiful flowers  A water bearer had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which he carried across his neck. One of...

Socratic triple filter

Truth, Goodness and Usefulness In ancient Greece, Socrates was held in high esteem for his wisdom and teaching others how to live a good life....

Entering a Flow State

Entering a Creative State Cook Ting was cutting up an ox for Lord Wen-hui. At every touch of his hand, every heave of his shoulder, every...