Wisdom from a cup of tea From forward mail

1. In ancient Japan, when a new student
seeks admission to study at a
monastery, he is required to have an
audience with the master, a sort of pre-
entrance interview if you will.

2. One day, an intelligent student
appeared before the master for such a
session.
As they sat together, the young man
started to impress the master with his
knowledge and accomplishments.

3. When the master offered tea to him, he
continued speaking without
acknowledging the master; so
absorbed was he in his own
cleverness.
All of a sudden, he jumped up,
reacting to the hot tea flooding over
the tabletop and dripping onto his
legs.

4. “Master!” he shouted. “The cup is
overflowing!”
The Master continued pouring the tea,
spilling it on to the floor. Then he
replied, “So are you. Please come back
when you are empty and in need of my
teaching.”

5. Keep your mind humble and open to
new ideas.
You’ll learn much more in the process,
and continue to develop as a human
being.

6. Think of your brain as the cup in the
story.
If you fill it up with your ego, you’ll
never get more knowledge in.

7. As Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald’s
once said, “When you are green, you
will grow; but when you ripen, you will
rot and fall.”