I must say that the debate over the last few days was one of the most spirited that I’ve had on this blog ever. Much thanks to those of you who commented. When I woke this morning, I was thinking about tea for some reason. I no longer wonder why, I figure that the reason will be known eventually.
As I was doing a bit of light surfing this morning, after eating breakfast, I came remembered a Zen parable that I liked:
Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.
Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor’s cup full, and then kept on pouring.
The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. “It is overfull. No more will go in!”
“Like this cup,” Nan-in said, “you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?”
This is one of a very few Zen parables that I actually understand where it is pointing. Many are very simple in their statements, but profound in meaning. And, it was very appropriate for statements that I had made earlier. It was a great reminder to come to the table with an empty cup.
Again, thanks for all of your comments and the great participation. It was enlightening and gave me lots of food for thought. I shall be chewing on that ‘food’ for a while!
Near the end, Gordon showed up with some more tea. I had to empty my cup several times and, upon filling and drinking more, found that I liked the taste of some of the teas that were presented. 
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7 Responses to “Time out for tea”
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Re: the Zen parable, do you have a favorite collection of Zen parables you can point to? I’d like to read more, as I’ve been getting into Zen more lately.
Thanks,
Dave
I’m not sure. I came across this allegory a while ago – and I’m still not sure whether I like it.
I would count myself as a quite eager learner (only a very few things in life are more rewarding), but I don’t fancy the idea of loosing myself completely before learning something new. I would like to mix the old and the new.
But maybe I got it all wrong?
Thomas: I don’t think that it is loosing yourself completely, but going in with no predefined notions about what ‘it’ is. It’s kind of like approaching the photographing of a tree without taking with you the label of ‘tree’ and its associated taxonomy, being there to learn something new.
Good thinking, and most natural also in non-zen cultures. We all recognise ourself in this, how easy we take in new learnings when our minds are open, but how hard it is to learn the simplest thing when out minds are occupied in other thoughts. I like the allegory, thanks Paul.
weirdly enough, I ‘discovered’ the opening riff for ‘smoke on the water’ this morning. Was just noodling around on some scales and all of a sudden, it was ‘there’. Didn’t look it up, wasn’t looking for it. Just found it along the way.
I suspect I’m now banned from every guitar store in town. Don’t think this has a lot to do with tea, but things have a habit of finding you when you need them.
I’ve found the beginnings of a few tunes myself, none of which I can recall at the moment.
Now, you need to go to Guitar Center and play your new riff so that everyone call roll their eyes and groan! Hey! It may not be new to them, but it’s new to you!
Paul
I first read cup of tea mid October 1974 and my life changed that very minute, for the best in all respects. All other lessons in life are secondary to it. It is the true key to true understanding. I hardly go a week without sharing it via internet with at least one person. The impact is lost on many. For some it is all doors suddenly open.
Nothing that I have accomplished in 32 years of life after Cup of Tea cannot be traced back to it. No day has passed without me living it and teaching it.
Visit my blog site if you care. It is in no small part a result of Cup of Tea.