This brief guide to accepting and ultimately loving yourself is inspired by the words of Charlie Chaplin. May it be of benefit. 

As I Began to Love Myself

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.

How to Catch Monkeys

This story demonstrates that we can't do anything about the situation but we can change the way we see it.

Your Reaction Matters More Than What Happens to You

Don't let your value decrease because you're going through though time. You are special and you are valuable, no matter what.

You Are Valued No Matter What!

Few letters are timeless with meaning, encouragement and truth.  This is one of practical, rational advice- inviting the present moment with open palms. 

Letter from Grandma

Beautiful story about stress management that I heard from my teacher Ajhan Brahm. 

How Heavy Is a Glass of Water?

We are attached to good times and have an aversion towards negative events. We do not know what the future holds; this story beautifully demonstrates how to have non judgmental attitude and how we can accept who we are and what is happening in our lives. 


Good, Bad, Who Knows?!

This is a story about values and dealing with our personal demons, from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Demons on a Boat

Donkey's situation teaches us lessons about life and what to do with the challenges we face. 

Farmer's Donkey - Story

This is a story about how we deal with pressure and adversity.

Potatoes, Eggs & Coffee Beans

This parable is about receiving and being open to support.  It also invites questions around faith.

The Man and the Flood

This is a Zen story about expectations, pressure, and letting go.

The First Principle

How would you like to go for a coffee with a friend? When we want to catch up with our friends we want the environment to be fun and laughter not controlling. This story demonstrates a metaphor about how we try to control our mind no wonder it wants to be away from us. Be friend your mind dear ones then you can begin to enjoy being with yourself.

Becoming your own best friend

Learn how important it is to appreciate those around us who support us, often in ways that we take for granted and forget about completely!


Who Packed Your Parachute?

Story about a conflict that takes place in every individual's life. How can we nurture our thoughts, emotions and ourselves holistically? 



Good Wolf & Bad Wolf

Based on true story heard in a monastery. You can find beauty in everyone including yourself. Try this task

Finding Beauty in Everyone

All of us have conflicting voices in our heads pulling us often in opposite directions. Which will win?


Two Wolves

Open up to any situation and thinking out of the box to get the best out of the situation. It doesn't have to be as bad as we think. 

Thinking Out of the Box

We try to prove ourselves right to others. Why is that so important to do so. Can we sit with ourselves and be content? When we are content with ourselves there is no need to prove anything to anybody.

The Four Candles

This story demonstrates how great Zen masters have used skillful ways to help people attain enlightenment. There is hope for everyone :)

Zen & Chess

This story is adapted from a speech given by Sundar Pichai, about understanding how our reactions to things create or neutralize drama.

The Cockroach Story

We never know when an opportunity to be really kind may come up - even at work, we can make a huge difference to someone.


A Taxi Driver's Kindness

Zen teachers has profound skills to teach their students. This heart warming story demonstrates to the extent these teachers can go to bring their students out of their misery.

Heaven & Hell

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.

The Princess and the Pea

This story helps remind us that there is a timing and season to all things, and to not judge ourselves or others.

The Seasons of Life

Anger can do things that we cannot undo. The story demonstrate how damaging anger can be but we can learn to be patient. 

Anger Management

This is a Zen story about separating sense of self from anger. 

Taming a Temper

Most precious things in life does not have price. Be kind, be open :)

Be Kind Even When You Are Impatient

Listen to this heart warming story of how kindness comes back to you - what comes around really is what goes around and you can make such a difference to someone with a small act of kindness.

A Glass of Milk

To achieve our goals it's not always about work hard as we tend to think. Learn to be patient.

Working Hard - Impatient

Hard work can pay off well. Learning to be patience. 

Hard Working Labor - Story

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.

It Will Pass

This Zen story demonstrates the steady presence of neutrality. 

Neutrality

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.

The Wise Man

Short funny conversation with god. Good time to reflect how we can be humble. 

Funny Conversation with God

Story about how our old beliefs can limit us from freedom. Be open to upgrading our beliefs. What once served us may no longer be useful.

An Elephant and a Rope

A story about how we never really get away with cheating.....even though we think we do! honesty is always the best policy.


The Tale of the Baker and the Farmer

We tend to search for peace and happiness externally. We just have to realize that it's not about going somewhere to get it. It's right here within you. 

Finding Peace

Learn how we can choose to focus on what's really important, and let go of small and unimportant matters.


Burnt Biscuits

Listen to how a dog finds itself a place to retreat. How often do you take time out for your own personal retreat?

Dogs Retreat

Story about how we are all stuck in comfort zone. We want to help our dear ones but if they also have to be ready to receive. Enjoy :)

Friends for Ever - Earth Worm

This is a classic story about presence, love, and living out purpose.

The Dancing Master

This is an old zen story about letting go.

Two Monks & a Maiden

Listen to this story about where we tend to put our attention, and see if you recognise this pattern! when we know our patterns, then we can work to change them to new ones that are more beneficial for us.


What Do We Focus On?

Listen to this heartwarming story of how even our smallest actions can make a difference.

Starfish

This is a classic story about old beliefs that keep us stuck.

The Elephant Rope

It's a beautiful story about stepping back from our reactive judgements. 

Every Person Has a Story

The process of creating is one that can be allusive to many, yet we are constantly creating in our lives weather it's a fine meal, a story or an adventure.  This story my bring light to maintaining the flow of creativity in your own life. 

Inspirational Stories: Stories