What’s seen as inspiring in the world are ego’s triumphs. But there’s another kind of inspiration we can feel when we hear about people who give themselves for others. We can also be inspired by those who exhibit essential qualities on the spiritual path. We innately feel an urge to embody qualities that feed a higher purpose. We can work to develop a “Work I” by observing ourselves and not letting lower qualities rule. This part of ourselves can arise out of conscience and be strengthened by practice. Inspirational stories are impression food that can enliven essential qualities that are in all of us. Whether any story is factually true in all of its details isn’t the point. Stories are told about forgiveness, generosity, service, and the importance of working with childish parts of ourselves. There is discussion of inspiring circumstances including the request the Dalai Lama made to never to speak badly about the Chinese after the brutal takeover of Tibet; Garchen Rinpoche’s training to generate loving kindness in a way that seemed impossible when he was young; the Zen master Hakuin’s lack of concern for reputation; Orage’s response to strong criticism by the enigmatic mystic Gurdjieff; the need for the character Siddhartha in Hesse’s book to experience ordinary life in order to spiritually develop; the courage of Meher Baba’s disciples to leave their lives behind in deciding to follow their master on the New Life; the all-consuming love in the Sufi tale of Layla and Majnun; the commitment of Gandhi to Hindu-Moslem unity which he demonstrated by fasting; the wandering of Swami Ramdas who viewed everything as divine after his realization; and the magical events that occurred in the relationship of Yogi Ramsuratkumar and Lee Lozowick. VJ Fedorschak is the organizer of the Western Baul Podcast Series and author of The Shadow on the Path and Father and Son.