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For today's prompt, I remembered the Zen story of the overflowing cup. Many of you might be familiar with it. For those who are not, let me narrate it in my own words....
Once upon a time, a learned man went to a well-known Zen master to gain knowledge. The Zen master welcomed him. The man was very knowledgeable and wanted to seek enlightenment from the wise teacher. The man spoke many things to the master about what he knew. The master heard him quietly. Then, he offered him tea. The master started pouring the tea. The man watched with much astonishment that the master was continuing to overfill the cup, and when the tea started spilling from the cup, he urged the master to stop. He could make no sense of what the teacher was doing. He asked him in exasperation, to which the teacher replied," Just like this cup, you are overflowing too - with your own thoughts and opinions. If you need Zen, you need to empty up first."
This story tells us by way of a very simple example the mistakes we commit when we seek knowledge and wisdom. We often perceive ourselves as wise. We look at things subjectively but presume that we are fair and objective. Our quest is limited because we do not open our minds completely. Our prejudices, preconceived notions of what is or ought to be often limit us.
Confucius has rightly said that "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." In order to know more, you need to first accept that your knowledge is not absolute. In order to know what you don't know, you have to begin with a clean slate. Previously held thoughts and ideas can create hurdles in the path to enlightenment much like the way it happens in the above story. To be able to explore, you need to expand your horizon. You need to retrace your steps with every new bit of wisdom you gain. To experience the vastness of the ocean, you need to abandon your pond. To embrace the immensity of the sky, you need to open your doors and windows and venture out. Like a child, you need to crawl, then wobble, then walk, then climb, then fall, then learn, then climb again.
De-clutter the mind first. Only then can a fresh space be created.
De-clutter the mind first. Only then can a fresh space be created.
Just read Vidya's piece on how Ignorance is not bliss and that kind of resonates with your post too. Being aware of our ignorance is where real learning begins.
ReplyDeleteAccepting our inadequacies is the first step....Thanks Tulika.
Deletevery nice
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DeleteSo true! Often we are engrossed i the wrong path to clearly find a solution or realize the worth of moving ahead.
ReplyDeleteAs long as we are willing to learn, even mistakes will teach....
DeleteI completely agree with this. The only way we can be open to the experiences of others is to let go of a lot of our own thoughts, opinions and preconceived notions. I always did love the Zen parable above, by the way :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Shailaja....this parable inspires me a lot.
DeleteSuch a simple thought yet so much depth! Loved the Zen tale! Decluttering one's mind is the key to opening it out to newer learnings!
ReplyDeleteTrue Kala....
DeleteStory with lesson and knowledge.
ReplyDeleteYes....thanks!
DeleteI love that story and was only reading it yesterday, Sunaina! Great reference for the prompt. Thank you for coming by my blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being here Vidya.
DeleteI did not know this anecdote. A really good and sensible one with a lot of meaning.
ReplyDeleteThanks Roshan
DeleteI've heard this story before and it brilliantly references the prompt, I think.
ReplyDeleteMust say - I'm a big admirer of Zen now. Now, to be a follower :)
Thanks Sid.
DeleteWell said. Before we can learn something new, we have to end what used to be and unlearn the old way. And the most necessary part of learning is unlearning our preconceived notions, assumptions etc! Enjoyed reading the Zen master's story again!
ReplyDeleteYes, unlearning to learn is good. Thanks Shilpa.
DeleteThat's a good one. I have read that story but no harm in a reminder. Good one for the prompt!
ReplyDeleteThanks Parul.
DeleteI agree. We must adapt and we should be flexible. Be receptive of new things. More importantly, accept your own flaws.
ReplyDeleteTrue Saru.
DeleteThanks for letting us remember the 'Zen theory'. The complexities of modern life has made us those garbage-bins who forgot to de-clutter ourselves resulting in chaos. We have forgotten simple theories of evolution.
ReplyDeleteSuch a nice read. :)
Yes Sangeeta...we forget but we have to remember again...Only then can there be any progress.
DeleteThe simple story conveys a big lesson of life. We must clear the junk to let new ideas flow in. You have used it beautifully in context of the prompt.
ReplyDeleteThanks Somali.
DeleteThe simple story conveys a big lesson of life. We must clear the junk to let new ideas flow in. You have used it beautifully in context of the prompt.
ReplyDelete