Beginner's Mind

A professor went to a Zen Master and asked him to explain the meaning of Zen.

The Master quietly poured a cup of tea. The cup was full but he continued to pour as the tea splashed out and ran across the table.

The professor watched, mystified. "Why do you keep pouring when the cup is full?" he asked.

"Like this cup, your head is already brimming with thoughts," said the Master, "To understand Zen you must first empty your mind of preconceptions."

***

~Zen story~