9/10/10

My Glass is Half-Empty

There is an old story about a scholar and a sage, here's my telling of how I remember it.

An educated scholar went east to learn wisdom from a renowned Taoist Sage. They sat for tea and the Scholar went on and on explaining all he had studied and telling the sage all he knew about wisdom and the Tao.

The Sage began pouring the Scholar tea while listening to the words. As the tea started pouring out of the cup and filling the saucer the Scholar shouted out.

"Why are you doing this?"

The Sage replied "You must first empty your cup if you wish to learn anything."

The reason I reference this story is to discuss emptiness. We fill our minds and bodies up to overflowing, constantly trying to show the world we are worth their respect. Absorb the knowledge and let it leave you, remember the meaning and let the words go.

As you become more skilled at a task, you forget the words that taught you how to do it and find your own explanation. A flute is made of value, not by the outside, but by the emptiness within.. Make yourself a vessel to fill, let the winds of life blow through you and make your life music. You grow from the music and let it pass through you having enriched yourself and the world around you with the experience.

11 comments:

  1. So beautiful, so achingly true.

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  2. Well said!

    Always love reading your blog.

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  3. I saw that old story in the 2012 movie

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  4. A very interesting look at life. I've never quite thought of it like that, or heard it before.

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  5. Very nice , its was a good read :)

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  6. heard this story in another movie.. might have been something with jackie chan ^^

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  7. I could refill your glass :>

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  8. that was very interesting. thanks.

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  9. Brilliant. I love your blogs, seriously

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