Jun
Empty Your Cup
Here is an interesting tale. I have heard both Chinese and Japanese versions, which are almost identical.
A professor wanted to understand Zen. He arranged to meet with a Zen master. As was the custom, the master offered his guest tea. He began pouring.
The professor had been expounding on his degrees and qualifications. He spoke of his studies and his research. He talked of his education and his academic achievements. The Zen master kept pouring. The professor noticed that the cup was overflowing.
“Stop,” he said, “You are spilling tea! The cup has overflowed!”
The Zen master stopped pouring, smiled and replied,
“This cup is like you. You come here like a cup that is already full. I cannot give you tea because your cup is full. You must empty your cup, that I may fill it. You must empty yourself, that I may give you my wisdom.”
There are people who are unteachable. One type is so full of their own ideas that they have no room to hear others. They are unteachable because they would rather show their knowledge than open themselves to learning.
When you are talking, you are not listening.
Be teachable. As the Zen master said, empty your cup that it may be filled.
