A business man decided to find the meaning of life. He went from teacher to teacher. He read every book he could find, went from class to class and even meditated daily. Each day he continued to feel disconnected and unsatisfied. Finally he went to a remote monastery and asked to speak to the master.
He was led into an austere room overlooking a beautiful garden. There was a beautiful altar, some pillows and a small table. The monk gestured for the man to sit on a pillow facing the altar. The man sat and waited impatiently.
Finally an old man entered silently with a pot of tea. He sat down opposite the man, placed the pot of tea and two cups on the table. He sat in silence for a few moments, bowed before the altar and then turned to look at the man.
“I have meditated for years, lived in ashrams and met all the great masters. Yet I still find myself searching.” The man continued to tell the master all the practices he had done, books he had read and teachers he had studied with.
The old man nodded, placed one of the cups in front of the man and began pouring tea. The master filled the cup and quietly continued pouring. The man jumped up angrily as the tea spilled into his lap.
“What’s the matter with you old man!” he yelled.
The master smiled and said, “You can’t fill a cup that is already full.”
As long as we think we know the answers, as long as we hold onto our old beliefs, happiness, peace of mind and love often remain illusive.
True freedom is our ability to explore life with curiosity and have the courage to say ‘I don’t know’ a lot!
With love and aloha,
Susan