A Cup of Zen works best as a small daily ritual. One story a day is three weeks of practice.
I read one story each night before bed and my mind actually goes quiet. I didn't expect a book this small to do that.
Rob T., Portland, OR
Not preachy, no jargon. Just short stories that stay with you. The Empty Cup has lived in my head for weeks.
Marcus D., Austin, TX
Bought it during a stressful stretch at work. The reflection prompts are the best part. Five minutes and I feel reset.
Priya S., Seattle, WA
A Cup of Zen: 21 Short Stories to Calm the Mind, Stop Overthinking, and Find Inner Peace
A Cup of Zen: 21 Short Stories to Calm the Mind, Stop Overthinking, and Find Inner Peace
21 short Zen stories that quiet an overthinking mind, a few minutes at a time. Each one ends with gentle reflections written for beginners. Best read slowly, with something warm.
Description
Description
Your mind is like a cup filled to the brim. One more worry, one more replayed conversation, and it overflows. A Cup of Zen helps you pour it out, one short story at a time.
Inside are 21 Zen stories from Kai Tsukimi, the #1 best-selling author of The Zen Storyteller series. A weary traveler learns what he's been dragging along. A scholar watches his tea overflow. A craftsman sweeps the same circle every day. Each story takes a few minutes to read, and each ends with reflection prompts that help you carry the lesson into your day.
What you'll find inside
- 21 stories across five parts, from The Empty Cup to Beyond the Self
- Reflection prompts and journaling space after every story
- Ink illustrations throughout, in a 5×7" format that fits a coat pocket
- No meditation experience needed and no jargon to wade through
Who it's for
Overthinkers, worriers, and anyone whose brain won't switch off at night. If you've tried meditation apps and bounced off them, stories are an easier way in.
Free gift with every order: E-Book: The Little Book of Zen Healing by Paula Arai, a beloved collection of Japanese healing rituals. It ships with your book, on us.
#1 Best Seller in Zen ● Free Gift With Every Order
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🎁 Every order includes a FREE E-Book of The Little Book of Zen Healing by Paula Arai, a $19.90 book of small Japanese rituals for calm, gratitude, and healing.
From The Zen Storyteller series, loved by 50,000+ readers
Our Happy Readers
What's Included?
What's Included?
Depends on the format you pick:
- Paperback: the 5×7" printed edition, 112 pages with ink illustrations, shipped to your door.
- Ebook: the full book as an instant download, ready on your phone, tablet, or e-reader within minutes of checkout.
- FREE gift with every order: E-Book - The Little Book of Zen Healing by Paula Arai, Japanese rituals for beauty, harmony, and love.
Who Is It For?
Who Is It For?
Overthinkers, anxious minds, and complete beginners. You don't need to know anything about Zen or meditation. The stories read like short fables, and the reflections walk you through the rest. It also makes a lovely, calming gift.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping & Delivery
Paperback orders ship with tracking and most arrive within a few business days. Ebook orders arrive by email as an instant download, so you can start reading tonight. The free gift book ships together with your paperback, or comes as a download with your ebook.
I read one story each night before bed and my mind actually goes quiet. I didn't expect a book this small to do that.
Rob T., Portland, OR
Not preachy, no jargon. Just short stories that stay with you. The Empty Cup has lived in my head for weeks.
Marcus D., Austin, TX
Bought it during a stressful stretch at work. The reflection prompts are the best part. Five minutes and I feel reset.
Priya S., Seattle, WA
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Your Daily Cup of Calm
No apps, no streaks, no pressure
1
Pour Something Warm
Set aside a few quiet minutes with your tea or coffee.
2
Read One Story
Each tale takes less than five minutes.
3
Sit With the Reflection
Answer the gentle prompts on paper or in your head.
4
Empty Your Cup
Notice the mental noise settle, even a little.
5
Return Tomorrow
21 stories make three weeks of daily calm.
6
Keep What Stays
Some stories you'll reread for years. The Empty Cup tends to stick.
Built For Overthinkers
Zen you'll actually read.
Bite-Sized
Short enough to actually finish.
Beginner-Friendly
No meditation experience needed.
Beautifully Made
5×7" paperback with ink illustrations.
Two Formats
Paperback for the nightstand, ebook for everywhere else.
Bite-Sized
Short enough to actually finish.
Beginner-Friendly
No meditation experience needed.
Beautifully Made
5×7" paperback with ink illustrations.
Two Formats
Paperback for the nightstand, ebook for everywhere else.
Why a Story Beats Another App
Calm that doesn't need a login, a streak, or a subscription.
A CUP OF ZEN
- A few pages before bed
- Stories that stay with you
- One purchase, yours forever
- Gentle reflections, not homework
- A free second book in every order
THE OTHER WAY
- Another app pinging your phone
- Advice forgotten by lunch
- Subscriptions that renew quietly
- Guilt-driven streaks and badges
- Paywalled premium extras
VS
Not at all. The stories read like short fables, and every one ends with reflections written for beginners. If you can read a bedtime story, you're qualified.
Same 21 stories in both. The paperback is a 5×7" printed edition that ships to your door. The ebook is an instant download you can read on any phone, tablet, or e-reader tonight.
Under five minutes each. The full book is 112 pages: 21 stories in five parts, each with its own reflection prompts.
The Little Book of Zen Healing by Paula Arai, a beloved collection of Japanese rituals for beauty, harmony, and love, with a foreword by Pico Iyer. It comes free with every order.
Frequently Asked Questions
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