21st January

A renowned professor once visited master Nan-in to learn
about Zen. The master politely poured him some tea, but
didn't stop pouring and the cup overflowed all over his
guest. The professor shouted in distress for him to stop.
The master replied, "The cup is full of tea and can contain
no more unless I first empty it. In the same way your mind
is full of ideas and there is no room for my teaching,
unless you empty it."

This very famous koan illustrates how our minds are full of thoughts, ideas, doubts and fears. Just as the cup needs to be emptied so it can receive again, so must we empty our minds so we can receive the teaching of Zen.