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  • Three Jewish stories

    Deeply embedded in Jewish folklore and Hasidic traditions are parables that cut through complex theology to offer direct, witty and compassionate insight into human nature. These timeless stories reveal how profound wisdom…

  • The dirty laundry

    Before judging the flaws and shortcomings of those around us, taking a moment to examine our own vision can reveal that the clarity we seek begins within. This classic story gently reminds…

  • The problems of the others

    When we are consumed by our own burdens, it can feel as though no one else carries a weight quite as heavy or complex as ours. Yet, if everyone were given the…

  • The pointer

    Too often, we mistake the symbol for the truth it points to. Awakening begins when we look past the words, rituals and signposts to directly experience the reality they were meant to…

  • Paradise

    This simple Zen story offers a profound choice between personal happiness and compassionate service. Two travellers encounter the same paradise, but what they do next reveals two very different ways of understanding…

  • The moon cannot be stolen

    This iconic parable offers a profound lesson on radical generosity, detachment from material possessions, and recognising the boundless abundance of nature that can never be stolen. “Ryokan, a Zen master, lived the…