The Empty Cup Approach

In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few. 
~Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, Zen master

Many times when I travel I catch myself noticing that my perceptions about situations dictate my experience instead of allowing the present moment to be my teacher of simply what is.

When that happens, I remind myself of a story told by Zen master Shunryu Suzuki Roshi: A young man had read all the books he could find about Zen. When he heard about a great Zen master, he requested an appointment with him to ask for teachings. When they were seated, the young man proceeded to tell the master everything he had understood from his reading, saying that Zen is about this and Zen is about that, on and on. After some time, the master suggested that they have tea. The master began to pour tea into the student's cup. He poured until it was full, and kept pouring. The tea ran over the edge of the cup and onto the table and off the table and onto the floor. Finally, the student couldn't contain himself any longer. He shouted, “Stop pouring! The cup is full — no more will go in!” The master stopped pouring and said, “Just like this cup, your mind is full of your own opinions and preconceptions. How can you learn anything unless you first empty your cup?”

It doesn't mean that I need to give up my intelligence when I allow myself to empty my cup of everything I think I know about something or someone. I simply create space to receive the teaching of the moment in an open way, withholding judgment until I have listened intently and given it my best to understand what is being communicated. Is it Love or a call for Love? Now I am free and I can go from there.

Affirmation:
Each moment is God ordained and I see God in every moment. Newness is the order of the day and my life is an unfoldment of divine God-Moments.