Zen Parables: Empty Your Cup

In this talk, Ektaji teaches us the importance of "emptying the cup" of all the information, ideas, concepts, etc. through a Zen parable about a Zen Master and a Universtiy professor. The essence of Zen is to help you settle into the state of no-mind. The parable might evoke some thoughts, emotions . Know that these are just thoughts not "your" thoughts. Know that these are just emotions not "your" emotions. Detach yourself from thoughts and emotions.

Transcript

Welcome to Zen Parables with Ekta.

The essence of Zen is to help an individual to retire from the chattering mind and settle into the state of no mind.

Every Zen Parable has only one essence to take you from that state where a thought,

An emotion or sensation which is nothing but all a product of the chattering mind and help you withdraw to the background where all this plays,

The stage where all this plays,

To that awareness.

So when I tell you the Zen Parable,

It will evoke in you certain thoughts,

Sensations and emotions.

Just remember they are not your thoughts,

They are just thoughts.

They are not your emotions,

They are just emotions.

They are not your sensations,

They are just sensations.

Make an attempt to detach yourself from them and just be a witness to the parable and let the parable do its job.

It will only help you to disidentify or to break identification with the thought,

Emotion,

Sensation and to get behind the thought,

Behind the emotion,

Behind the sensation to that field of awareness.

Today's parable is empty your cup.

A very learned university professor went to a Zen Master and requested that the Zen Master teaches him some more.

The Zen Master listened to him quietly.

The university professor went on talking about everything that he had read about Zen from this book,

From that book.

The Zen Master listened to him quietly.

The professor would not stop,

He had so much information about Zen but had never practiced the state of no mind at all.

He only knew everything intellectually.

The Zen Master then decided to serve him tea.

He got up,

Brought the tea pot and started pouring the tea into the professor's cup.

The tea came up to the brim.

The Zen Master continued pouring.

The professor watched this but he could not restrain himself and he blurted out,

It's over full,

It's over full,

No more will go in.

The Master stopped pouring,

Looked at the professor and said,

You are like this cup.

How can I explain or show or teach you anything in Zen unless you first empty your cup?

First empty your cup.

Reviews

Thanks

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Thank you, I really enjoy listening to you telling the parables 💜

🙏🏼

Excellent concept. Reminds me that I am likely taking in too many guided meditations, too many podcasts, too many talks. I am overflowing with all of it, as worthy as all of it may be.

Lovely parable, so clear and concise. Powerful.

Gratitude 🙏🏾 V

They not your thoughts, they are just thoughts.

Just empty your cup.

Thank you.

Empty your cup!

I definitely need to empty my cup. Love this analogy.

Good parable, resonates with me. I'm going to go sit now (:

Nice short parable

Beautiful content and delivery! Thanks so much... 🙏🏻❤️

This parable was a good lesson for me. Nicely delivered, pleasant voice and intonation.

Would listen to one of these every day🙏🏽

Excellent reminder for all of us in many situations. 🌺

Deep wisdom here. Thank you for sharing this parable with us. I see the light in you. 🤲❤️🤲

Great reminder.
Thank you.

So profound and necessary to hear thank you

💖thank you! This short, very very sweet parable is packed with wisdom, your lyrical voice spoke to me💖