The Zen Master

An ambitious and once-successful businessman went to a Zen master hoping to learn useful tips from him.

He had heard that Zen principles could help balance all aspects of his life, therefore also increasing his productivity. Perhaps this was the best way he could restore some of the old glory of his company.

After meeting him in his chamber, he asked the Zen Master to teach him everything about Zen. He expected to learn this in the next hour they were to spend together.

The master stared at him, and replied by offering him some tea, which the businessman gladly accepted.

The Master started pouring tea into his cup. But when it was full, he didn´t stop pouring the tea, therefore it started spilling all over.

“What are you doing? My cup is already full!”

-“Exactly”, replied the Zen Master.

“A full cup cannot be replenished any longer.

Now you are like a full cup, unable to be filled any longer. To be able to learn, you need to be like an empty cup, otherwise, there is no knowledge that I or anyone can share with you that will penetrate deep enough inside of you for it to be meaningful.”

I don´t know if this is a true story but I´ve heard it from two different people on two different occasions. The idea of always being an empty cup, or at least not a completely full one is very appealing to me, always ready to pour some more knowledge and experience in.

The day my cup is full is the day I´ll no longer grow. It´s the day I´ll stay behind, the day my ambitions and dreams will meet their end.

I hope I don´t get to experience such a day.

And I hope you have a great day today.

Claudio.

P.D. Here´s a playlist for some Bandoneon Inspiration.