Empty your cup

I remember an old adage told in the martial arts community that went about a person who was so set in his system of fighting, and also so convinced that his way was probably the best. He went on a journey to discuss his style with a grand master and the old sage quickly understood that this martial artist was so set that it was futile to discuss anything. This person only listened to himself. So the old sage invited the visitor to have tea. And so they did. The old sage started pouring tea into the cup of the visitor, until it was overflowing. And he continued to pour tea looking at the visitor in the eye. The visitor anxiously started to wipe the mess and told the sage "Master the cup is full... it cannot hold any more tea!" And the sage then apologised, emptied the cup, and again poured but this time enough tea that the cup could hold. The master asked the visitor "Why did the cup overflow wasting all that good tea?" The visitor understood that this question had an obvious answer, and therefore searched hard for the true question behind the question. The sage explained. As much as the cup that was so full could not take any more tea, so is that person who is so full of himself, thinking he knows all, that inhibits him to learn and acquire new knowledge. As Confucius said, “He who knows not and knows not he knows not: he is a fool - shun him. He who knows not and knows he knows not: he is simple - teach him. He who knows and knows not he knows: he is asleep - wake him. He who knows and knows he knows: he is wise - follow him.”

So the lesson is 'empty your cup' and you will be open to new knowledge. My teachers in karate, business and life, who have really inspired me, have always had this common quality. They give all they have, withholding nothing to remain above the rest. It seems that this 'emptying of the cup' makes space for newer knowledge and development. And as much as I try hard to be like them, they always remain a few notches above me!

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