“There is a proverb that says – Nito oumono wa itto omo ezu (二兎追う者は一兎をも得ず). It translates to – If you run after two hares, you will catch neither.” ??
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Yasuhiro Uema 9th dan Shorin-Ryu Shubukan
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A great master received a university professor who came to enquire about wisdom.
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The master served tea. He poured his visitor’s cup full, and then kept on pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself.
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‘It is overfull. No more will go in!’
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‘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?’
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Erase your preconceived notions. It doesn’t matter what you’re training toward—it may be time to empty your cup.
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The Zen message above is simple: if you’re already full of preconceived notions and your own thoughts about how things should be, there isn’t much room to learn, or take in new perspectives or teachings.
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I guess some people will never learn that; you have to empty your cup. ??
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? Picture courtesy of Shureido Okinawa