Zen Stories are inspiring and are source of very good learning cues for us in field of HR. Here's one such story. You may have read it earlier but the lessons is what I have added
A CUP OF TEA
A Japanese Zen Master received a Enthusiastic Scholar who came to meet him. The Master served tea. He Poured it till the cup was full and even then kept pouring the tea into the cup.
The Scholar watched the overflowing tea and after a while could no longer stop himself from saying. "Master, The cup is overflowing and no more will go in"
"Like this Cup" said the master " you are full of your own thoughts, ideas, opinions and understandings How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup."
For those who aspire to build capability through training and learning programs, remember your cup needs to be empty for your to learn something. If you come with an attitude of "Already Know" then learning will be like grains of sand on the floor when winds are strong.... Nothing remains in a while.
If you take up a new role, a new job or even start something new you need to keep your mind open to learning. Coming to a start with mind full of opinions and the understanding that you have nothing much to learn from others will be a start point for insignificant beginnings However it is awareness of such attitudes existing that becomes a starting point for change.
When your mind is full like that of the Scholar then it is like a sponge that has absorbed much liquid and no more can be used. Remember, lesser the liquid in the sponge the more it can absorb Just like the Scholar we are all susceptible to be victims of our own perceptions and prudence lies in awareness of our fallacy of feeling full.
This story also gives us insights into motivation What drives someone to excel. It is the hunger.... it is that in satiated feeling.... failing which one is contented and chances of achieving beyond today are low. So key to realizing your true potential is to have the hunger first and then action should follow.
A CUP OF TEA
A Japanese Zen Master received a Enthusiastic Scholar who came to meet him. The Master served tea. He Poured it till the cup was full and even then kept pouring the tea into the cup.
The Scholar watched the overflowing tea and after a while could no longer stop himself from saying. "Master, The cup is overflowing and no more will go in"
"Like this Cup" said the master " you are full of your own thoughts, ideas, opinions and understandings How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup."
For those who aspire to build capability through training and learning programs, remember your cup needs to be empty for your to learn something. If you come with an attitude of "Already Know" then learning will be like grains of sand on the floor when winds are strong.... Nothing remains in a while.
If you take up a new role, a new job or even start something new you need to keep your mind open to learning. Coming to a start with mind full of opinions and the understanding that you have nothing much to learn from others will be a start point for insignificant beginnings However it is awareness of such attitudes existing that becomes a starting point for change.
When your mind is full like that of the Scholar then it is like a sponge that has absorbed much liquid and no more can be used. Remember, lesser the liquid in the sponge the more it can absorb Just like the Scholar we are all susceptible to be victims of our own perceptions and prudence lies in awareness of our fallacy of feeling full.
This story also gives us insights into motivation What drives someone to excel. It is the hunger.... it is that in satiated feeling.... failing which one is contented and chances of achieving beyond today are low. So key to realizing your true potential is to have the hunger first and then action should follow.
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