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Mickey Z
Cool Observer
the Department of Homeland Security.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Empty your cup
Before we get to the book excerpt, please allow me to make two obvious points about the recent incident at the San Francisco Zoo:
Animals should not be imprisoned in zoos
Humans are infinitely more dangerous and destructive than any other animal on Earth
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We now return to our regularly scheduled excerpt (about Bruce Lee, btw) from Zen in the Martial Arts, by Joe Hyams...a book I’ve read at least once a year for the past two decades:
“Do you realize you will have to unlearn all you have learned and start over again?” Bruce asked.
“No,” I said.
He smiled and placed his hand lightly on my shoulder. “Let me tell you a story my sifu told me,” he said. “It is about a Japanese Zen master who 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 was not so much interested in learning about Zen as he was in impressing the master with his 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?’”
Bruce studied my face. “You understand the point?”
“Yes,” I said. “You want me to empty my mind of past knowledge and old habits so that I will be open to new learning.”
“Precisely,” said Bruce. “And now we are ready to begin your first lesson.”
This does not mean that Bruce prevented me from applying a critical mind to his teaching. In fact, he welcomed discussion, even argument. But when challenged too long on a point, his reply was always, “At least empty your cup and try.”
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Head’s up: Michele and I are flying out tomorrow afternoon to Texas to be with my parents for a few days. Things are going from bad to worse in a hurry down there. As always, I’m sure you’ll all continue to gather and chat in my (relative) absence.
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