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Stories to Inspire

23.9k+ subscribers | 
668k+ plays
Cassandra Carlopio
Cassandra Carlopio
Sleep Expert, Psychologist & Meditation
All Tracks
The Other Side Story
The Other Side Story
This Zen story is about perspective. Zen has a rich tradition of telling stories so that the listener gathers their own understanding and then apply it to their own life.
1 min
92 Favorites
Rapunzel
Rapunzel
Rapunzel is a German fairy tale, first recorded and published by the Brothers Grim in 1821. This version from the Brothers Grim was adapted from the Friedrich Schulz (1790) which was a translation of Persinette (1698) and the original source of the tale is the Person tale of Zal and Rudabeh from the 11th century Shahnameh (Book of Kings).
13 min
58 Favorites
Potatoes, Eggs & Coffee Beans
Potatoes, Eggs & Coffee Beans
This is a story about how we deal with pressure and adversity.
3 min
500+ Favorites
Stone Soup
Stone Soup
This is a story a out confidence, spontaneity, a sense of humor, and a willingness to share your bounty with others.
5 min
300+ Favorites
Right & Wrong
Right & Wrong
This is a Zen story about right and wrong.
2 min
100+ Favorites
Demons on a Boat
Demons on a Boat
This is a story about values and dealing with our personal demons, from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
6 min
320+ Favorites
Destiny
Destiny
This is a Zen story about destiny. There is a strong tradition of telling stories as a way of opening the listener to new ideas and perspectives on their own lives.
2 min
92 Favorites
How to Catch Monkeys
How to Catch Monkeys
This story is about how to catch monkeys in the jungle and a powerful lesson in learning what keeps us trapped and the importance of letting go.
4 min
350+ Favorites
Taming a Temper
Taming a Temper
This is a Zen story about separating sense of self from anger.
1 min
220+ Favorites
The Gift of Insults
The Gift of Insults
This is a zen story about learning to handle the "gifts" that people give you.
3 min
290+ Favorites
Story Of The Four Wives
Story Of The Four Wives
This story teaches us about priorities and life.
5 min
2.3k+ Favorites
The Wood Cutter
The Wood Cutter
This is a story from Dr. Steven Covey, highlighting the importance of taking care of ourselves and being effective in life.
3 min
410+ Favorites
The Hole in the Blanket
The Hole in the Blanket
This is an adapted retelling of a Chumash story by elder Paul Perrota.
7 min
180+ Favorites
Neutrality
Neutrality
This Zen story demonstrates the steady presence of neutrality.
2 min
130+ Favorites
Watch Yourself Story
Watch Yourself Story
This Zen story is about taking care of yourself first. Zen has a rich tradition of telling stories so that the listener gathers their own understanding and then apply it to their own life.
2 min
88 Favorites
The Butterfly Struggle
The Butterfly Struggle
This story explores how important it is to allow the struggle.
2 min
1.2k+ Favorites
The Seasons of Life
The Seasons of Life
This story helps remind us that there is a timing and season to all things, and to not judge ourselves or others.
2 min
480+ Favorites
The Tea Cup
The Tea Cup
This is an old zen story about emptying the mind of what we know.
2 min
110+ Favorites
Two Words Story
Two Words Story
This is a somewhat humorous Zen story about attitude and happiness. Zen has a rich tradition of telling stories so that the listener gathers their own understanding and then apply it to their own life.
2 min
84 Favorites
The Dancing Master
The Dancing Master
This is a classic story about presence, love, and living out purpose.
6 min
61 Favorites
The Stone Cutter
The Stone Cutter
this is a Zen story about appreciating where one is at in life.
4 min
120+ Favorites
Man on the Subway
Man on the Subway
This is a powerful story, adapted from Steven Covey's book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective people, that explores the dramatic effect of paradigm shifts.
3 min
320+ Favorites
The Selfish Giant
The Selfish Giant
This short story, written by Oscar Wilde, and published in 1988, weaves a bittersweet tale of humility, love and transformation.
11 min
79 Favorites
It Will Pass
It Will Pass
This brief, classic Zen story, reminds us of the impermanence of experience and the principle that everything will pass. A great reminder that meditation is not about clinging to an experience, but rather observing and allowing an experience to be as it is.
1 min
160+ Favorites
The Starfish Story
The Starfish Story
This is a classic story about shifting our thinking and doing what we are passionate about.
2 min
350+ Favorites
Rocks in a Jar
Rocks in a Jar
This is a story about time management and priorities.
3 min
2.9k+ Favorites
The Wooden Bowl
The Wooden Bowl
This well known Zen parable reminds us of what is important in life.
4 min
230+ Favorites
A Cup & Coffee
A Cup & Coffee
This story reminds us of whats important in life.
2 min
1.1k+ Favorites
The Princess and the Pea
The Princess and the Pea
The Princess and the Pea is a classic literary fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen about a young woman whose royal identity is established by a test of her sensitivity.
3 min
42 Favorites
True Nature
True Nature
This is a Zen story about accepting our True Nature and that of others.
2 min
130+ Favorites
The Man and the Flood
The Man and the Flood
This parable is about receiving and being open to support. It also invites questions around faith.
2 min
110+ Favorites
The Elephant Rope
The Elephant Rope
This is a classic story about old beliefs that keep us stuck.
2 min
250+ Favorites
Two Monks & a Maiden
Two Monks & a Maiden
This is an old zen story about letting go.
2 min
140+ Favorites
The Butterfly
The Butterfly
This story from Hans Christian Andersen (1861) is a thought-provoking story about looking for perfection.
7 min
37 Favorites
Thinking Outside the Box
Thinking Outside the Box
This story reminds us that we always have multiple options, if we are willing to think outside of the box.
3 min
1.4k+ Favorites
Changing Vision
Changing Vision
This story reminds us about the power of our perception.
2 min
720+ Favorites
The Secret to Happiness
The Secret to Happiness
This story reminds us to pay attention to our life.
4 min
580+ Favorites
Give Up Control
Give Up Control
This story is about the Baal Shem Tov, an 18th century magician, mystic and healer, who founded the movement of spiritual renewal that swept through easter Europe in the 1700s. The story is of a fateful meeting between Jacob Joseph, a well known religious master of the time, and the Ball Shem. Jacob had apparently heard of the Baal Shem before but had refused to join his ecstatic movement. The following is a story of their meeting, a story of surrender, as told by Marc Gafni.
3 min
100+ Favorites
Walking on Water
Walking on Water
This is a humorous Zen story about ego and being pragmatic.
2 min
110+ Favorites
The Wave
The Wave
This story is a powerful reminder about belonging, transformation and transition.
1 min
330+ Favorites
Flow Like a River
Flow Like a River
This is a zen story about facing challenges and distractions.
2 min
130+ Favorites
The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter
The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter
This is a traditional Japanese story is a 10th-century Japanese monogatari (fictional prose narrative) containing Japanese folklore. It is considered the oldest extant Japanese prose narrative, though the oldest surviving complete manuscript is dated to 1592.
9 min
50 Favorites
Nails in the Fence
Nails in the Fence
This story is about learning to deal with anger and the consequences of our actions.
2 min
1.2k+ Favorites
Our Value
Our Value
This story reminds us of our inherent value.
2 min
770+ Favorites
The Mill
The Mill
The Windmill, by Hans Christian Andersen (1865), is a short story invoking questions about pride and belonging.
7 min
24 Favorites
The First Principle
The First Principle
This is a Zen story about expectations, pressure, and letting go.
2 min
85 Favorites
Group of Frogs
Group of Frogs
This story shows the power of encouragement, the words of others and the words we use towards ourselves.
2 min
580+ Favorites
Working Hard Story
Working Hard Story
This Zen story is about the virtue of patience. Zen has a rich tradition of telling stories so that the listener gathers their own understanding and then apply it to their own life.
1 min
87 Favorites
The Wise Snail
The Wise Snail
This is a story about kindness; and understanding that how we treat ourselves is how we treat others.
5 min
150+ Favorites
The Cockroach Story
The Cockroach Story
This story is adapted from a speech given by Sundar Pichai, about understanding how our reactions to things create or neutralize drama.
3 min
170+ Favorites
The Wise Man
The Wise Man
This Zen story is about humility and finding what one needs. Zen has a rich tradition of telling stories so that the listener gathers their own understanding and then apply it to their own life.
2 min
93 Favorites
The Lighthouse
The Lighthouse
This is a story adapted from Dr Steven Covey's book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and highlights natural laws that we cannot argue with.
2 min
79 Favorites
Full Awareness
Full Awareness
This Zen story is a humbling reminder to pay attention. Zen stories have a rich tradition of inviting the listener to ponder the story, and glean their own understanding from the story.
1 min
53 Favorites
Tibetan Master Dancer
Tibetan Master Dancer
This story, as told by Marc Gafni, illuminates the power of love to transform ones vision & life.
7 min
74 Favorites
Taming the Mind
Taming the Mind
This is a zen story about taming the mind.
2 min
110+ Favorites
The Inn Story
The Inn Story
This Zen story is about humility and the impermanence of life. Zen has a rich tradition of telling stories so that the listener gathers their own understanding and then apply it to their own life.
2 min
46 Favorites
The King's Wine Cellar
The King's Wine Cellar
This story explores how we need to enjoy and embrace experiences when the time is right. And that abundance should be shared.
8 min
83 Favorites
Two Brothers
Two Brothers
A short story from Hans Christian Andersen about two brothers and their unique personalities.
6 min
24 Favorites
Blind Men & the Elephant
Blind Men & the Elephant
This Zen story reminds us of how our perspectives are limited.
2 min
87 Favorites
Two Brothers
Two Brothers
This is a story about generosity and understanding.
2 min
100+ Favorites