The Empty Cup

A learned scholar once went to visit a Zen master. As the master served tea, the scholar talked about all his knowledge and accomplishments. The master quietly poured tea into the scholar’s cup until it was full, then kept pouring. The tea overflowed, spilling everywhere.

The scholar exclaimed, “Stop! The cup is full. Can’t you see?”

The master replied, “This is you. You are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?”

This story reminds us that sometimes, in order to learn and grow, we need to let go of our preconceived notions and make space for new insights.