Spiritual stories, often steeped in profound wisdom, have the unique capacity to touch the deepest layers of our being. These narratives, transcending mere entertainment, offer insights into the essence of our existence, inviting readers on a journey of self-discovery and universal understanding. The relevance of these tales in today’s society is underscored by our collective yearning for meaning amidst the chaos of the modern world.
Reading spiritual stories is beneficial as they act as gateways to inner tranquility and enlightenment. They offer perspectives that challenge the materialistic focus of contemporary life, directing attention toward the richness of the inner self and the interconnectedness of all life. These stories serve as reminders of the values that foster harmony and peace, both within and without.
In an age where stress and disconnection are rampant, spiritual stories provide solace and a sense of belonging. They encourage readers to look beyond the surface, to question the status quo, and to seek solace in the timeless truths that have guided humanity for centuries. These tales often contain parables and teachings that resonate with the soul, facilitating growth and healing.
Furthermore, spiritual stories bridge diverse cultures and faiths, highlighting the universal quest for truth and fulfillment. They promote empathy and tolerance by illustrating the myriad ways in which different traditions seek to understand the mysteries of life and the divine.
In essence, spiritual stories are not only relevant but vital to our current society. They beckon us to reflect on our place in the cosmos, to embrace our spiritual heritage, and to live with a sense of purpose and reverence for the sacred journey of life. As we navigate the complexities of our era, these narratives offer a compass, pointing us toward a future where spirituality and mindfulness are integral to our collective well-being.
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello” “A Miser’s Death”
"A miser had accumulated five hundred thousand dinars and looked forward to a year of pleasant living before he made up his mind how best to invest his money, when suddenly the Angel of Death appeared before him to take his life away. The man begged and pleaded and used a thousand arguments to be allowed to live a little ...
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello” “Aggression”
"A zealous disciple expressed a desire to teach others the Truth and asked the Master what he thought about this. The Master said, "Wait". Each year the disciple would return with the same request and each time the Master would give him the same reply: "Wait". One day he said to the Master, "When will I be ready to teach"? ...
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello” “At-One-Ment”
"When a man whose marriage was in trouble sought his advice, the Master said, "You must learn to listen to your wife". The man took this advice to heart and returned after a month to say that he had learned to listen to every word his wife was saying. Said the Master with a smile, "Now go home and listen ...
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello” “Awareness”
""Please tell me, is salvation obtained through action or through meditation"? "Through neither. Salvation comes from seeing". "Seeing what"? "That the gold necklace you wish to acquire is hanging round your neck. That the snake you are so frightened of is only a rope on the ground"." ...
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello” “Best Tea In Japan”
"There was a group of elderly gentlemen in Japan who would meet to exchange news and drink tea. One of their diversions was to search for costly varieties of tea and create new blends that would delight the palate. When it was the turn of the oldest member of the group to entertain the others, he served tea with the ...
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello” “Buddha Is Abused”
"Buddha seemed quite unruffled by the insults hurled at him by a visitor. When his disciples later asked him what the secret of his serenity was, he said: "Imagine what would happen if someone placed an offering before you and you did not pick it up. Or someone sent you a letter that you refused to open; you would be ...
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello” “Buddha Threatened By Death”
"Buddha was once threatened with death by a bandit called Angulimal. "Then be good enough to fulfill my dying wish," said Buddha. "Cut off the branch of that tree." One slash of the sword, and it was done! "What now?" asked the bandit. Put it back again," said Buddha. The bandit laughed. "You must be crazy to think anyone can ...
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello” “Damned Devotee”
"The devotee knelt to be initiated into discipleship. The guru whispered the sacred mantra into his ear, warning him not to reveal it to anyone. "What will happen if I do?" asked the devotee. Said the guru, "Anyone you reveal the mantra to will be liberated from the bondage of ignorance and suffering, but you yourself will be excluded from ...
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello” “Dog and the Cod Liver Oil”
"A man began to give large doses of cod-liver oil to his Doberman because he had been told that the stuff was good for dogs. Each day he would hold the head of the protesting dog between his knees, force its jaws open, and pour the liquid down its throat. One day the dog broke loose and spilled the oil ...
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello” “Incompetence”
"The Master would insist that the final barrier to our attaining God was the word and concept "God." This so infuriated the local priest that he came in a huff to argue the matter out with the Master. "But surely the word 'God' can lead us to God?" said the priest. "It can," said the Master calmly. "How can something ...
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello” “King Pyrrhus of Epirus”
"King Pyrrhus of Epirus was approached by his friend Cyneas and asked, "If you conquer Rome, what will you do next, sir?" Pyrrhus replied, "Sicily is next door and will be easy to take." "And what shall we do after Sicily is taken?" "Then we will move over to Africa and sack Carthage." "And after Carthage, sir?" "The turn of ...
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello” “Learning the Trade”
"Noticing that his father was growing old, the son of a burglar said, "Father, teach me your trade so that when you retire I may carry on the family tradition." The father did not reply but that night he took the boy along with him to break into a house. Once inside, he opened a closet and asked his son ...
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello” “Lulu’s Insanity”
"A visitor to an insane asylum found one of the inmates rocking back and forth in a chair cooing repeatedly in a soft, contented manner, "Lulu, Lulu..." "What's this man's problem?" he asked the doctor. "Lulu. She was a woman who jilted him," was the doctor's reply. As they proceeded on the tour, they came to a padded cell whose ...
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello” “Magically Appearing Cave”
"A villager was once riding past a cave in a mountain at the precise moment when it made one of its rare magical appearances to all who wished to enrich themselves from its treasures. He marched into the cave and found whole mountains of jewels and precious stones that he hurriedly stuffed into the saddlebags of his mule, for he ...
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello” “Motion”
"To the disciples who were always asking for words of wisdom the Master said, "Wisdom is not expressed in words. It reveals itself in action." But when he saw them plunge headlong into activity, he laughed and said, "That isn't action. That's motion."" ...
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello” “Nagarjuna and the Thief”
"The great Buddhist saint Nagarjuna moved around naked except for a loincloth and, incongruously, a golden begging bowl gifted to him by the King, who was his disciple. One night he was about to lie down to sleep among the ruins of an ancient monastery when he noticed a thief lurking behind one of the columns. "Here, take this," said ...
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello” “Only A Visitor”
"In the last century, a tourist from the States visited the famous Polish rabbi Hafez Hayyim. He was astonished to see that the rabbi's home was only a simple room filled with books. The only furniture was a table and a bench. "Rabbi, where is your furniture?" asked the tourist. "Where is yours?" replied Hafez. "Mine? But I'm only a ...
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello” “Socrates and the Marketplace”
"True philosopher that he as, Socrates believed that the wise person would instinctively lead a frugal life. He himself would not even wear shoes; yet he fell under the spell of the marketplace and would go there often to look at all the wares on display. When one of his friends asked why, Socrates said: "I love to go there ...
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello” “The Greedy Sons”
"There was once a hard-working and generous farmer who had several idle and greedy sons. On his deathbed he told them that the would find his treasure if they were to dig in a certain field. As soon as the old man was dead, the sons hurried to the fields, which they dug up from one end to another, and ...
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello” “Understanding”
""How shall I get the grace of never judging my neighbor?" "Through prayer." "Then why have I not found it yet?" "Because you haven't prayed in the right place." "Where is that?" "In the heart of God." "And how do I get there?" "Understand that anyone who sins does not know what he is doing and deserves to be forgiven."" ...
Spiritual Story by “Anthony de Mello””Heart of a Mouse”
"A mouse was in constant distress because of its fear of the cat. A magician took pity on it and turned it into a cat. But then it became afraid of the dog. So the magician turned it into a dog. Then it began to fear the panther, so the magician turned it into a panther. Whereupon it was full ...
Spiritual Story by “Buddhist Zen Story” “A Buddha Is Among You”
"The abbot of a once famous Buddhist monastery that had fallen into decline was deeply troubled. Monks were lax in their practice, novices were leaving and lay supporters deserting to other centers. He traveled far to a sage and recounted his tale of woe, of how much he desired to transform his monastery to the flourishing haven it had been ...
Spiritual Story by “Buddhist Zen Story” “Destiny”
"During a momentous battle, a Japanese general decided to attack even though his army was greatly outnumbered. He was confident they would win, but his men were filled with doubt. On the way to battle, they stopped at a religious shrine. After praying with the men, the general took out a coin and said, "I shall now toss this coin ...
Spiritual Story by “Buddhist Zen Story” “Temper”
"A Zen student came to Bankei and complained: "Master, I have an ungovernable temper. How can I cure it?" "You have something very strange," replied Bankei. "Let me see what you have." "Just now I cannot show it to you" replied the other. "When can you show it to me?" asked Bankei "It arises unexpectedly," replied the student. "Then," concluded ...
Spiritual Story by “Buddhist Zen Story” “The Banyan Deer”
"It is told about Gautama Buddha that he spent many lives in animal form, as various animals of the forest, before being born in human form as the prince, Siddhartha of the Sakhya clan. This story is about his life as King of the Deer. Three kings come into our story. One is Brahmadatta, a man, King of Benares, who ...
Spiritual Story by “Buddhist Zen Story” “The Library of God”
"The most revered building at No Wind monastery was a quiet, humble structure that stood at the outskirts of the grounds and boasted the sign, The Library of God. The monks knew this building was a special place, not only because they could feel the divine vibrations just by being near it, but also because all the special monks who ...
Spiritual Story by “Buddhist Zen Story” “The Thief”
There was one great master, a Buddhist master, Nagarjuna. A thief came to him. The thief had fallen in love with the master because he had never seen such a beautiful person, such infinite grace. The thief asked Nagarjuna, "Is there some possibility of my growth also? But one thing I must make clear to you: I am a thief ...
Spiritual Story by “Chanakya Story” “National Treasury”
"Once, a Chinese traveller came to meet Kautilya (Chanakya). It was dusk and darkness had just started to set in. When the traveller entered Chanakya's room, he saw that Chanakya was busy writing some important papers under the lighting of an oil lamp. You know that there were no bulbs or tube lights in those days, since there was no ...
Spiritual Story by “Christian Story” “A Bible For Graduation”
"A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted. As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning ...
Spiritual Story by “Christian Story” “Acknowledgement”
"A newly arrived soul in Heaven was met by St. Peter. The saint toured the soul around Heaven. Both of them walked side by side inside a large workroom filled with angels. St. Peter stopped in front of the first section and said, "This is the Receiving Section. Here, all the petitions to God said in prayer are received." The ...
