The Art of Learning: Empty Your Cup.

 

Posted by ADAM CARTER on APR 06, 2025

The Art of Learning: Empty Your Cup.

A great master received a university professor who came to enquire about wisdom.

The master served tea. He poured the visitor’s cup full, then kept on pouring. The professor watched the cup overflow until he could no longer restrain himself.

“It is overfull. No more will go in!”

“Like this cup”, the master replied, “you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you wisdom unless you first empty your cup?”

Erase your preconceived notions. It doesn’t matter what you’re training toward – it may be time to empty your cup.

The Zen message above is simple: if you’re already full of ideas about how things should be, there’s little room for new perspectives.

Incoming information can’t take root if it’s filtered through what you think you already know.

If you take a moment to give your mind the “all clear” signal, you do greater justice to yourselves and your karate – you make room for learning.

You have to empty your cup.

Written by Adam Carter