A Bedtime Zen Story
High in the mist-covered mountains, where clouds drifted like quiet thoughts and pine trees whispered to one another, there stood a serene Zen monastery.
There lived a wise master named Ryuji. His presence was calm, like still water. Students traveled from distant lands to sit near him, hoping to understand life a little more clearly, and to quiet the restless questions in their hearts.
One peaceful morning, Master Ryuji gathered his students in the courtyard. Sunlight warmed the stones beneath their feet, and the air felt gentle and still.
“Today,” Ryuji said softly, “each of you will take a journey alone. Walk the paths through the hills and choose one flower—only one—that feels meaningful to you. Let mindfulness guide you. Do not return until you understand what the flower has to teach.”
The students bowed and quietly set off, their robes brushing against the earth as they disappeared into the winding paths.
Among them was a young monk named Hiroshi.
Hiroshi walked slowly, breathing in the mountain air. He felt the ground beneath his feet and listened to the sounds of nature—the wind in the trees, birds calling to one another, leaves gently falling. With every step, he tried to stay fully present, just as his teacher had taught him.
Along the way, Hiroshi saw many beautiful flowers. Some were bright and bold, others delicate and rare. Each one tempted him. Yet he did not rush. He paused, observed, and continued walking.
Days passed quietly.
Sometimes Hiroshi felt unsure. What if I choose the wrong flower? he wondered. But when those thoughts arose, he watched them gently and let them drift away, like clouds passing across the sky.
One evening, as the sun began to rest behind the hills, Hiroshi came upon a small wildflower growing beside the path. It was simple and easy to miss, swaying calmly in the breeze.
As Hiroshi stood there, something inside him softened.
He felt peaceful.
Without hurry, he knelt and carefully picked the flower, holding it lightly in his hands. He did not cling to it. He simply noticed its quiet beauty.
Hiroshi continued his journey, carrying the flower with him as he walked, rested, and meditated beneath the open sky. With time, he began to understand that the flower was not meant to last forever—and that was okay.
One day, standing on a hill where he could see the monastery far below, Hiroshi felt it was time.
With a gentle heart, he placed the flower on the earth and let the wind carry its petals away. He watched without sadness. Everything, he realized, comes and goes.
And in that moment, his heart felt light.
When Hiroshi returned to the monastery, Master Ryuji greeted him with a warm smile. Hiroshi bowed and shared what he had learned—not just about flowers, but about letting go.
Ryuji nodded. “When we are mindful,” he said, “we learn when to hold—and when to release.”
That night, the monastery rested quietly beneath the stars. And the story of the flower Hiroshi let go became a gentle reminder for all who heard it:
Nothing needs to be held forever. Peace comes from awareness. And letting go can be an act of love.
Sleep softly now. Like the flower, you are safe to rest 🌙🌸
Cover Image https://unsplash.com/photos/d2zvqp3fpro