A spiritual master received a learned man who came to gain deeper insight into the mysteries of life.
The master prepared tea, and while serving the tea he began to explain, but the learned man kept on interrupting him with his own opinions. So the master poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on pouring.
The learned man watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself, "It is overfull, No more will go in!" he exclaimed.
To this the master responded by saying ; "Like this cup, you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you anything unless you first empty your cup?"
The above Zen story, A Cup of Tea, is ancient knowledge expressed metaphorically so we can grasps the concept of unlearning in order to learn.
What I have learned about myself along these lines is when I'm in a state of Insomnia; waiting for sleep is wasted time so I choose to spend the time in reflection.
I choose not to call it meditation, but reflection because the symbology of reflection is powerful for me when I seek emptiness.
When I "sit in reflection" I slow my heart rate as far as I'm able while constructing a mental manifestation of a large mirror in front of me in which I can see my full reflection.
The master prepared tea, and while serving the tea he began to explain, but the learned man kept on interrupting him with his own opinions. So the master poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on pouring.
The learned man watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself, "It is overfull, No more will go in!" he exclaimed.
To this the master responded by saying ; "Like this cup, you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you anything unless you first empty your cup?"
The above Zen story, A Cup of Tea, is ancient knowledge expressed metaphorically so we can grasps the concept of unlearning in order to learn.
What I have learned about myself along these lines is when I'm in a state of Insomnia; waiting for sleep is wasted time so I choose to spend the time in reflection.
I choose not to call it meditation, but reflection because the symbology of reflection is powerful for me when I seek emptiness.
When I "sit in reflection" I slow my heart rate as far as I'm able while constructing a mental manifestation of a large mirror in front of me in which I can see my full reflection.
Between me and the mirror there is a single candle to provide illumination. The candle is small in size and the light from the flame is soft and warm and steady, and the candle is not consumed by the flame.
I slow my heart rate while examining my reflection in the mirror in great detail, following the my outline slowly and exploring the subtle lines and shapes that form my reflection while feeling the warmth of the candle's flame and allowing the warmth to soak in to my entire body and move through me like the mercury in a thermometer fills the void of the glass as it expands.
As the warmth of the flame fills me I begin to make my reflection in the mirror fade slowly to transparency so that I am looking through the space where my reflection had been and remove all traces of my reflection from the mirror leaving only the candle and it's reflection in the mirror.
This imagery allows me to "forget" myself as I forget the reflection of myself leaving only the manifestation of the flame.
Through this process I "empty my cup", forgetting everything I know, albeit only briefly and between my heart beats. The longer I'm able to remain in this state of forgotten self, the more I let go of knowledge, opinion, preconceived notions and experience that only limit my minds ability to learn.
I liken this to a chalkboard on which the sum of all I know and have experienced is expressed as a very long and non-reduced equation that completely fills the chalkboards surface; then erasing it completely and starting over with a clean slate.
Through this process I discover how to learn again.
The title of this blog, "I have forgotten everything. I don't remember a single word", is from Zen Dogen, specifically Masunaga 36. Zen Dogen explains the Way of the Buddha and stresses the importance of "sitting in meditation" or zazen as a means of reaching the manifestation of wholeness.
Peace be with you
Later
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