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?"
TWIST: Some of us might have heard this story earlier, but still everytime we read it, there is a striking reality that dawns on us. We are full of something all day long and even take it with us into our nights. Focus on your shoulder, for instance. Generally that is where we tend to carry the burden of our fullness. Relax and take a few deep breaths, but do NOT focus on breathing in, just breathe out fully. The lungs automatically fill up with air, so don't worry - you cannot kill yourself with this exercise! What you'll observe after a few full exhalations is that you are now breathing fuller and deeper. However, that was not the objective. It was by undoing something we were able to actually do something better. Can you think of something similar in your daily life where you can empty your cup...
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?"
TWIST: Some of us might have heard this story earlier, but still everytime we read it, there is a striking reality that dawns on us. We are full of something all day long and even take it with us into our nights. Focus on your shoulder, for instance. Generally that is where we tend to carry the burden of our fullness. Relax and take a few deep breaths, but do NOT focus on breathing in, just breathe out fully. The lungs automatically fill up with air, so don't worry - you cannot kill yourself with this exercise! What you'll observe after a few full exhalations is that you are now breathing fuller and deeper. However, that was not the objective. It was by undoing something we were able to actually do something better. Can you think of something similar in your daily life where you can empty your cup...
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