What is an Empty Cup in TCC Practice?

A scholar once visited a Zen master. The scholar was full of knowledge and opinions about Zen. At one point the master prepared tea and filled the scholar’s teacup and continued pouring after the cup was full, spilling tea all over the table, floor, and scholar. “Stop. Stop. The cup is full,” exclaimed the scholar. “Exactly,” replied the master with a smile. “You are like this cup. How can I teach you Zen when you are already full of your own knowledge and opinions?”

Do you have an empty or full cup when you practice T’ai Chi Chih (TCC)? Do you empty yourself of expectations and anticipation of what to feel or when to feel something during your practice? If your cup is already full of whatever you already know and expect, how can there be room to experience and discover anything new? If you do experience or feel something new, acknowledge it, and let go of expectation or anticipation of feeling or experiencing it again. As Justin wrote in The Joy of Meditation (page 65), “As with all meditations, the best attitude with which to begin is no-attitude. Neither expectation nor doubt should cloud the mind as one enters practice. Just empty yourself and do the technique, expecting nothing. Likewise, when results appear, do not be overjoyed and adjust; just continue with the work of meditation.”

If you find it difficult to empty yourself of expectations during your practice, fill your cup (your heart space) with a sense of gratitude. Chi energy moves more easily through gratitude than expectations or shoulds.

Chi energy also flows easier through gratitude than judgment. Do you fill your cup with judgment? Do you judge how well you are doing a movement? Are you always striving to do a movement better? Allow yourself to empty your cup of “being better” or doing a move correctly.

Empty your cup of shoulds, of judgment, of effort, of expectations, of anticipation. Allow Chi to fill your cup; it has much to share.

How can the concept of an empty cup in TCC practice also apply to your life? Do you have expectations or shoulds for others? Shoulds prevent you from appreciating who they are and what they can fill your cup with. When you are willing to be open and receive, to let go of the shoulds, to enjoy what others give you, your cup will be filled with much gratitude.

In TCC practice or in life, think about what you fill your cup with that doesn’t serve you. For the following two sentences, fill in the blanks. “I fill my cup with ______ during TCC practice.” “In my life I fill my cup with _____.” To empty your cup, first be aware of what you fill your cup with. Without judgment, acknowledge what you fill your cup with and then let it go. Allow yourself to practice TCC and live life with an empty cup.