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?”
Photo copyright: giovdim
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After emptying the teacup and allowing it to refill, I think the next step is to let the teacup go altogether.
I always find a few tea leaves on the bottom of the cup…
Oooo, a great occasion for bad haiku:
teacup shattering
snow-capped peaks mingling with sky
freedom train coming