| First you must empty your cup. What martial | | | | If you are a martial artist training in a new style, |
| artist hasn't heard this piece of Eastern philosophy | | | | be respectful of your new style and instructor. |
| at one point in his lifetime? | | | | Don't be arrogant by constantly saying "this is |
| Here's how the official story goes. A professor of | | | | how we used to do it in my old school." Don't go |
| philosophy visits a well-known Zen master. The | | | | in there trying to prove something. Keep your |
| professor is full of his own opinions. The master, | | | | comments and questions to a minimum. This is |
| being a good host, serves the professor a cup of | | | | rude and obnoxious. Be respectful and |
| tea. As he fills his cup, he just keeps pouring until | | | | professional. Remember that you are there to |
| the cup starts to overflow. The professor could | | | | learn and keep in mind that this school may do |
| no longer stand it. "Stop!" he said. "The cup is over | | | | things differently. |
| full. No more will go in!" The master's response | | | | When looking into a new style, a prospective |
| went like this: "You are like this cup. How can I | | | | student should look for an instructor who |
| show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?" | | | | welcomes people from other systems. If they |
| The moral of the story is that you can't learn | | | | trash other styles, try another school. You don't |
| something new if you are full of your own ideas | | | | want to end up in a martial arts school that is like |
| and pre-conceived notions. | | | | a cult. Avoid places that say our way is the only |
| This philosophy is fine if the person is walking into | | | | way; our style is the only style. |
| a martial arts school for the first time and is | | | | A good instructor accepts his students as a |
| clueless about training. I don't agree with it | | | | wonderful package of human experience. He will |
| however, for those who've had previous martial | | | | help the student integrate his previous knowledge |
| arts experience. | | | | with his new found skills. |
| Realistically, a martial arts school often encounters | | | | For example, let's say the student had studied tae |
| new students who've studied different martial | | | | kwon do for five years before switching to an |
| arts. A Japanese karate school for example, may | | | | Okinawan style of karate like Goju-ryu. Tae kwon |
| have within it, students who have trained in aikido, | | | | do is known for its kicks which come at you |
| boxing, judo, jujitsu, kickboxing, kung-fu, tae kwon | | | | from a variety of directions given the talent of |
| do, tai chi, and even the occasional high school | | | | the student. A good instructor will encourage the |
| wrestler or street fighter! | | | | student to add the Goju-ryu kicks to expand his |
| What do you do with these students? Tell them | | | | kicking repertoire and not to discard his tae kwon |
| to "empty the cup" by asking them to forget | | | | do techniques. |
| everything they've ever learned? Instead of | | | | So don't empty your cup! But check your ego at |
| "emptying the cup", ask them to "leave your ego | | | | the door, conduct yourself with professionalism |
| and shoes at the door." | | | | and appreciate the new learning experience. |