11.2.26

There is a well-known Zen story about an arrogant and pedantic professor. Let's call him Professor Know-It-All. One day the professor reads something about Buddhism in a college newspaper. It piques his interest, and although he is sure that no one can teach him anything, he decides to find out more about Eastern wisdom. He learns that in his college town, there is a venerable Zen master. So the professor calls and makes an appointment for tea at the Zen master's home.

On the day of the tea, the professor and the Zen master sit across from each other. And the Zen master begins to pour the professor a cup of tea. And he pours, and he pours. The cup overflows and tea is flowing everywhere-over the table and onto the floor. The professor says, "Master, stop! Why do you keep pouring? The cup is full. Nothing more can fit in." And the master replies, "Just as you too are so full of all your learning and opinions. You have to empty yourself in order to receive."

― Lama Surya Das, Awakening to the Sacred