Zen stories are simple, brief, and often quietly profound.
They don’t give answers – they invite insight.
Each one is a doorway to reflection, gently nudging us to look within and see the world with fresh eyes.
Two men visit a Zen master.
The first man says: “I’m thinking of moving to this town. What’s it like?”
The Zen master asks: “What was your old town like?”
The first man responds: “It was dreadful. Everyone was hateful.
I hated it.”
The Zen master says: “This town is very much the same. I don’t think you should move here.”
The first man leaves and the second man comes in.
The second man says: “I’m thinking of moving to this town. What’s it like?”
The Zen master asks: “What was your old town like?”
The second man responds: “It was wonderful.
Everyone was friendly and I was happy.
Just interested in a change now.”
The Zen master says: “This town is very much the same.
I think you will like it here.
Reflection
“What we see in the world is often a mirror of what we carry within.”
This simple Zen tale reminds us that our inner world shapes our outer experience. If we carry resentment, we find reasons to resent. If we carry peace, we attract peace.