Empty Your Cup First

There is the story of the learned scholar who visits a wisdom master to inquire about what is truth. The master begins to pour tea into the scholar's cup and, even after the cup is full, he continues to pour, causing the tea to overflow. The scholar, puzzled, exclaims that the cup is already full and no more will fit. The master responds, "Like this cup, you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you profound truth unless you first empty your cup?"

In this story the scholar, despite his vast knowledge, is unable to learn from the master because he is too full of his own ideas, biases, preconceptions, and judgments. True learning requires us to approach new experiences and teachings with an open mind and a humble heart, recognizing that there is always more to learn.

This story teaches that we must embrace openness. To begin to truly understand any profound truth, we must be open to new ways of being and thinking. This openness allows us to experience life more fully, as it truly exists, and to connect with deeper truths that may be beyond our current understanding. It invites us to be present to the moment and to engage with the world around us with curiosity, awe, and wonder.

We may often approach new situations and others with a mind already made up, leaving us with little room for new or different insights or perspectives. By emptying ourselves of these preconceptions, biases, and judgments, we create space to allow growth and transformation. This requires, however, a willingess to question our assumptions and to be open to the possibility that we might be wrong or not have all the answers.

The lesson from this story can be applied to our daily lives in many ways. Whether we are learning a new skill, engaging in a conversation with others, or facing a challenging situation, approaching it with an open and humble mindset can lead to greater understanding and growth. It reminds us to actively listen more and speak less, to be receptive to new ideas or ways of perceiving reality, and to be willing to change our minds when presented with new facts or evidence.