A visitor walked into the temple asking questions and spouting off opinions about Enlightenment.
The Zen Master listened and sat quietly pouring the visitor a cup of hot tea.
To the visitor's total amazement, the Zen Master continued pouring until the cup overflowed and tea spilled all over the table and onto the floor.
The startled visitor asked the Zen Master, "Why are you continuing to fill up my cup after it is already full of tea?"
The Zen Master replied, "I am trying to show you that you are like this tea cup. You are so full of your own preconceived notions that nothing else can go in. I cannot teach you about Enlightenment until you have first emptied out your cup."
1. Empty my cup.
2. Be present to the present.
3. Bring myself back to the now.
4. Switch on my senses.
5. Speak volumes with my silence.
6. Have another cup of tea at my all-time favorite tea room.
I really have to work on 1-5, don't have a favorite tea room. Do bars count? ;o)
Posted by: Lexi | Saturday, December 11, 2004 at 04:21 PM