Empty Your Cup

Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen. It was obvious to the master from the start of the conversation that the professor, who had already made an extensive study of the subject, was not so much interested in learning about Zen, as he was in impressing the master with his own opinions and knowledge. The master listened patiently and finally suggested they have tea.

The master poured his visitor's cup full and then kept on pouring. The professor watched the cup overflowing until he could no longer restrain himself. "The cup is overfull, no more will go in." Like this cup, the master said, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"

In my twenty plus years of teaching I have had the fortunate experience of teaching many brilliant young musicians. Some that developed brilliance over time, and others who came to me with the light already shining. The hardest thing that I find in teaching these young men and woman, is teaching them the need to empty their cups.

Our egos limit us, whether we are outwardly egotistical or unconsciously so. Our overconfidence, cockiness and "I've already got that" attitude, makes us feel like we already know things that we don't, and can do things well that we can truly only do half-ass. It also tells us that things that don't interest us are unimportant, and that we know best. An overactive ego ultimately stunts our growth and wastes our potential.

When you empty your cup and use what the late zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki-Roshi calls "beginners mind", you will find yourself more receptive, teachable and most importantly humble. Emptying your cup allows new knowledge to fill the vacuum. This action gets easier the more you do it and eventually becomes a habit that leads to an improved ability to listen to and learn from others in all walks of life.

"In beginners mind we have many possibilities, but in expert mind there is not much possibility" - Shunryu Suzuki-Roshi

As your technique reaches the higher levels, your rhythmic feel becomes loose and your tone solidifies, the final frontier becomes the ability to control your mind in performance and in practice/learning. Part of that control is the ability to let go of your knowledge, and to learn and play like a child again.

The next opportunity you have to learn, empty your cup and just listen. Try to do this daily, by the hour or by the minute if need be. You will be surprised how much more you will be able to absorb by making yourself a receptive vessel for life's lessons. Cultivate a willing and ready mind and all things will come to you.

"Nothing is impossible to a willing mind." -Books of Han Dynasty