Empty that cup of tea

Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.

Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor’s cup full, and then kept on pouring.

The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. "It is overfull. No more will go in!"

"Like this cup," Nan-in said, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"

Comments

[Grace]

Ohhhh, snap!

[Hilary]

Hi Liara .. I'd be like the professor I'm afraid .. I'd be more worried about the mess & clearing up afterwards .. despite it's not my 'home' .. I guess you accept things in others' homes and don't query ..?

Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters

[Jannie Funster]

This reminds me of something wise I read in a book today, "You never lose anything." What appears lost, opens up new consciousness, new chance to grow and learn.

[Lance]

Hi Liaraa,
What a thought here - the idea that we have to let go of our opinions, speculations, those things which cloud our thoughts....This is a powerful message in letting go to really connect with.

[DavinaH]

Hi Liara. I've read this one before. Words of wisdom for sure! And anyway, if we actually thought we knew it all, life would be over. I prefer to continue to learn. Thanks for sharing this.

[Megan "JoyGirl!" Bord]

I heard this a couple months ago for the first time and liked it -- and Zen has always felt really good to me for that very reason: be a beginner. Always.

It lets life's richness in.

[Liara Covert]

Grace, 'ah-ha' moments bless your existence in ways unforeseen. Even something as apparently simple as drinking a cup of tea offers profound wisdom for those ready and willing to notice. As you see it, then you see something else. Revelations flwo together to enrich you.

[Liara Covert]

Hilary, many lessons present concerning acceptance and tolerance. The human-conditioned response is to judge what is not your opinion or way of doing. It is also possible to learn to observe without judgment. Everyone is who he is for reasons unacknowledged or unexplored. You learn more about yourself through being alert to your own reactions to other people and conditions.When you do not react with pure love and tolerance, you have more to learn.

[Liara Covert]

Jannie, what a beautiful message you share. To be open and receptive is to be willing and aware during constant soul expansion. This enriches everyone, everywhere.

[Liara Covert]

Lance, to realize you have an ego, misplaced opinions or misunderstandings what empowers you to move beyond them.

[Liara Covert]

Davina, as a person moves beyond a focus on apparent threat and presumed struggles for survival, he moves beyond the impulse to compete and obtain power. He reaches an indescribable level of inner peace which shifts awareness to non-linear thought. New levels of creativity and compassion emerge. The learning curve goes on forever and continues to shift in surprising ways.

[Liara Covert]

Megan, Zen is full of eye-opening insights. Human beings are reminded that less is more. Everything enriches you. Perception is a choice. Change is also a choice, even now.

[Hilary]

Hi Liara .. thanks for that sentence: "You learn more about yourself through being alert to your own reactions to other people and conditions" .. I'll try and remember and take that on board .. a bit like think before you speak ...

Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters

[Jannie Funster]

Yes, even if we had nothing materially, we would still have everything we need.

Now mind you, I've never "lost everything" but I think I easily could. But, could still keep my guitar? And pen and paper? :)

[Liara Covert]

Jannie, to have nothing material does not remove the innate creative abilities you always have inside. You make music with your heart and soul even while you sleep.