2) The Empty Cup Flashcards
How did Bruce Lee introduce his extremely unorthodox way of life in Kung Fu?
By starting with the parable of the ‘learned’ man and the zen master:
When the man’s cup was full, he couldn’t understand what was in the zen master’s.
Empty the cup. Empty my mind.
Empty my mind =/ differing everything I know
What does it mean?
I should try to meet each interaction and experience with will to consider something new, without judgement.
What really happens when I have a judgement /expectation of an event already in my mind?
As I’m on high alert for that view point, I will find more it and NOT see anything else.
And when we can’t collect the evidence, we brush it off as a lucky or a devastating experience.
What is “choiceless awareness”?
Have a full awareness of what it purely is. Experience it fully, with no preconceived choice or judge.
Have the total experience rather than a partial and limited one.
What is “to make oneself empty”?
To give up my desire to force, direct, strangle the world outside of me and within me - in order to be completely open, responsible, aware, alive.
Openness to receive.
What does it mean to be judgemental? And how does it hold us back?
To assign a value of right or wrong, good or bad, like or dislike to something or someone.
Judging limits our full perception, hence making poor decisions.
What is the thing about obstacles and challenges that counts?
The reaction and response to such overreact is what counts.
How should I deal with distracting thoughts?
Rather then beating them down, which gives them more power, I need to merely notice them, allow them, then let them pass through as I stay in the present moment.
This is being in touch with what is.
What is the “grasping mind” or “sticky mind”?
Getting caught up in what I wanted the fight to be rather than what the fight actually was. And when the fight started to deviate from my preconceived plan, I don’t have enough flow or presence to respond appropriately in the moment.
🎁 what is.
Do not look at “what is” from the position of thinking what should be.
It is not to bury or hide my thoughts or feelings. It’s to feel then, acknowledge them, and work with them. They have info for me, say thank you, and keep going.
Why shouldn’t I beat myself up or get frustrated when trying to be present but thoughts keep coming?
It’s part of the conditioning, the process. In fact, the mere act of noticing that it has occurred is a huge step in the right direction. It means I’m becoming aware!
Why is “I must relax” counterproductive?
The demand for effort in MUST was already contracting with the effortlessness in RELAX.
Meditation is a great tool to be water, to be empty. What is meditation?
It’s to Allow, surrender, loose, let go. Just hair space and embody space.
Can even be done while running, not just sitting crossed legged.
🎁 making space.
Who is there that can make muddy waters clear? But if allowed to remain still, it will become clear of itself.
