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?"
Reader Comments (15)
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters
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.
It lets life's richness in.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters
Now mind you, I've never "lost everything" but I think I easily could. But, could still keep my guitar? And pen and paper? :)