ZEN STORY: THE TEA
The story of Nan-in, a Japanese Master who lived in the Meiji era, is well known, and what happened to a university professor who went to visit him intrigued by the influx of young people who came to the Master's garden.
Nan-in was admired for his wisdom, for his prudence and for the simplicity of his life, despite having been in his youth a character that had shone in the Court. He accepted in silence that some would sit with him at the end of the afternoon, but they should not bother him after the meditation. Then, he seemed serious and even surly, but it was nothing more than the necessary preadaptation while working in his garden, peeling potatoes or patching clothes.
The prestigious professor had announced in advance that he did not have much time, since he had to return to his tasks at the university.
When he arrived, he greeted the Master and, without further ado, asked him about Zen. Nan-in offered him the tea and served it with all the calm of the world. And although the visitor's cup was already full, the Master continued pouring it. The teacher saw that the tea was spilling and he could not contain himself.
But you do not realize that it's completely full? There is not a drop left!
Like this cup, - answered Nan-in without losing his composure or abandoning his kind smile -, you are full of your opinions. How could I show him what the path of Zen is if he does not empty his cup first?
Angry, the professor got up and with a simple nod he said goodbye without saying a word.
While the Master picked up the pieces of porcelain and cleaned the floor, a young man came up to help him.
Teacher, how much sufficiency! How difficult it must be for lawyers to understand the simplicity of Zen.
No less than for many young people who come loaded with ambition and have not strived to cultivate the disciplines of study. At least, scholars have already done a part of the road and have something to give off.
So, Master, what is the correct attitude?
Do not judge, and stay attentive.
This Zen story should serve to remind us that, like a cup of tea, before filling ourselves we should empty ourselves sometimes. To empty ourselves means to have openness, which is nothing other than to avoid judging and prejudging.
For this, the ego must be silenced, because the unconscious tendency to make judgments that will find the solidity of its reason in our beliefs or agreements will arise.
I encourage you to listen actively and openly, without judging and remaining attentive, as the story says ...