Empty Your Cup

A Japanese Zen master received a university professor who came to

enquire about Zen. It was obvious from the start of the conversation that the
professor was not so much interested in learning about Zen as he was in
impressing the master with his own opinions and knowledge.

The master listened patiently and finally suggested they have tea. The
master poured his visitor’s cup full and then kept on pouring.

The professor watched the cup overflowing until he could no longer

contain himself. ‘The cup is overfull, no more will go in.’

‘Like this cup,’ the master said, ‘you are full of your own opinions and
speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?’

Bruce Lee
Taken From: Zen in the Martial Arts
By Joe Hyams, 1979, pp. 18-19.