Three Short Meditations: 3′ Empty Teacup
This is a short series of short meditations.
The best is to do the meditations in the following order, but only one at a time in the beginning. If one goes well, you can proceed to the next. If they all go well, you can do them in any order you like:
- Three Short Meditations: Focus
- Three Short Meditations: 3’ Empty Teacup
- Three Short Meditations: 3’ Contemplation
A ZEN STORY
A Zen master has a Westerner for a visit and offers him tea. The Westerner immediately subjects him to a series of questions and prejudices. The Zen master keeps pouring tea without saying a word, even when the teacup is already overflowing. The Westerner is surprised about this.
Explanation: If the teacup (the head of the Westerner) is full, nothing can be added anymore, and the tea (a possible understanding) is, unfortunately, being wasted.
The teacup that is empty time and again indicates returning to being’ empty,’ time and again. Not only is the teacup not overflowing, but it also is ‘empty’ time and again, as an invitation for new insights. This is a meditation that you can do for a few minutes in the creation of Openness.
―
The following instructions are ‘simple,’ yet you should not take them as ‘easy.’
- You let a thought or a feeling appear freely in your mind. Any thought or feeling is OKAY. You don’t need to enforce this. If no thought arises, that’s also perfect.
- Ask yourself: “Is this important? Is it a meaningful thought? Or is it a brooding thought, a feeling that I have already felt often? Does this help me?”
- If not important, then it is very likely a worrying thought. Give it a bit of your attention, and then you let go of the thought – you let it slip so it can ‘resolve as a cloud.’ This is easier right now BECAUSE you know it is unimportant and because you just paid attention to the thought (your deeper self). Releasing the thought, your head can again be empty for the next thought spontaneously coming to you in the same way.
- If important, you keep your focus upon this. Appreciate the thought by dwelling on it for a while.
This promotes an attitude of total non-aggression. If you do think the thought is important, it is easier to stay with it a little longer and then return to your empty teacup.
Related Posts
YogaZen: a Journey of Insight and Movement
YogaZen is not just another form of yoga, nor is it just Zen with a few added movements. It is a fusion of two ancient traditions, designed to bring insights to life in a way that remains with you. It is a way of growing from within, where movement and reflection intertwine naturally. In YogaZen, Read the full article…
Mindfulness, Lights and Glow
One can understand ‘mindfulness’ in two different ways, which are distinguishable from each other in the metaphor of the ‘lights’ and the ‘behind the glow.’ These two ways are even opposed at this critical point, although they are two poles that also flow into each other. • mindfulness with primary attention to the lights The underlying Read the full article…
Integrating Meditation into Coaching
Meditation offers profound benefits — deep relaxation, inner strength, wisdom, and Compassion. When combined with mental coaching, it can guide coachees toward more meaningful, transformative growth. However, meditation must be approached thoughtfully, ensuring the coachee is both open and ready for the experience. This blog explores how meditation can be naturally and effectively integrated into Read the full article…