There was once a Zen master of great renown who lived in the mountain. One day, he received the visit of a young philosopher whom had traveled from afar especially to meet him. That philosopher came under high recommendations by his teachers, so the master agreed to see him. As the two sat under a tree to discuss, the subject hastily came to what the master could teach the young philosopher. Recognizing the flame of youth, the master smiled warmly and started to describe his meditation techniques. He was cut short by the philosopher who said: « Yes, I understand what you are talking about! We did a similar technique at the temple, but instead we used images to focus! »

Once the philosopher was done explaining to the master how he was taught, and did, his meditation, the master spoke again. This time, he tried to tell the young man about how one should be attuned to nature and the Universe. He didn't get two sentences in when the philosopher cut him short again and started talking about how he was taught of such things and so and so.

Once again, the master patiently waited for the young philosopher to end his excited explanations. Once he was done, the master got to the subject of seeing humor in every situation. This time, the young man didn't lose any time and started to talk about his favorite jokes and how he thought they could relate to situations he had faced.

Once the philosopher was done, the Zen master invited him inside for a tea ceremony. The philosopher having heard of how the master performed the ceremony like no other accepted gladly. Such a moment was always a privileged one with such a man. Once inside, the master performed flawlessly up to the point where he started to pour the tea in the cup. The philosopher noticed as the master was pouring tea, that the cup was being filled more than usual, then, as the master kept pouring tea, the cup got full to the brim. Not knowing what to say, the young man just looked at the master with a look of astonishment on his face. The master kept pouring has if nothing was wrong and the cup, not being able to contain anymore, started to overflow, spilling hot tea on the floor mattresses and the master's hakama. Not believing what he was seeing, the philosopher finally exclaimed: « Stop pouring! Can't you see the cup is already full and overflowing? »

With those words, the master gently placed the teapot back on the fire and looked at the young philosopher with his ever present warm smile, looked him in the eye and said: « If you come to me with a cup that is already full, how can you expect me to give you something to drink? »

This is one of my favorite oriental stories, as it tells us about the trait we, occidentals, are most profoundly lacking: humility! Ho! We also lack patience, but that is another topic of it's own. But humility. Now, there's something we could fill books about! We want so much to show everyone around us how we know everything that we put badges on our suits, we fill walls with diplomas and trophies, we even invented colored martial arts' belts because it was too hard to wait all those years to earn a black belt (in Japan, there used to be only white and black belts)! Isn't it so much cooler to own a purple belt with colored strips on it and a Gi (martial arts suit) so full of badges, your mom had to buy another one so they would all have a place to be sewed on, than to wear a plain white gi with a white belt? This situation isn't limited to the martial arts world, but this is my particular beef! I've seen so many kids coming into the dojo and leaving because training was too hard and/or they didn't earn belts and grads fast enough. Well, what did they come into the school for? Learning? No way Jose! They want the damn diploma and black belt ASAP so they can show it off one way or another. The sad thing is, many school owners started inventing belts and grads to keep their students motivated, and that's when they're not giving away black belts! « Earn a black belt in under 2 years! » Wow! Just don't think it's worth much...

Why do we go to people of knowledge if not learn? And if we want to learn, why don't we listen? Really listen I mean. Leave your baggage at the door and see what this new teacher can show you that you don't already know about. It may look like something you know, but what if his variation was better? Would you scorn it off because it looks similar? You may own a black belt in some other style, but if you come to another school, you don't know squat there! You're in HIS school. Take the teachings for what they are: knowledge.

Every man may know the same story, but each has a way of telling it that puts emphasis on a specific aspect, what if that aspect of the story is the one you never really grasped? So listening to it one more time could be the end of your search...and the beginning of a new adventure in itself. So, why not empty your cup and drink from the master's well?

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