Tea for Two

In ancient Japan, the custom for a student seeking admission to study at a monastery was to have an audience with the master teacher. Traditionally, the student was given the honor of an interview were the master teacher would serve the student tea.

Such is the story of a highly intelligent and most accomplished young student who requested such an interview with his master teacher. His request was granted and he was invited to meet with the master teacher. As they sat together, the young man enthusiastically begin displaying his knowledge and accomplishments.
Soon the master teacher offered the young man tea, the student consented and without missing a beat continued speaking. All of sudden he jumped up, startled by the tea spilling all over the table as well as down on the students legs.

Suddenly the young student became aware of a strange situation. He said: “Master, the cup is full to overflowing! Without looking up the Master continued to pour the tea which created a flood of tea spilling out onto the table as well as the floor.
Without looking up he said “ Unfortunately, this fulness defines you. Politely, ” the master made a request to the young man. May I invite you to please leave and come back and see me when you are empty and in more need of teaching”.
Now, before you turn me off and walk away let me assure you as a coach I am far from being and expert or a master. I am just much like you who is pursuing the path of understanding and mastery. One thing that I have learned in my life; the moment I start believing I have learned it all, I bring myself back to that story and realize how little I know.
If anything , I may have coached thousands of clients, but that simply means I may be little further along the path of understanding than they are. However, on the other hand you may have traveled on a different path and have knowledge that I will learn from you…..Here is the secret!

Become a Learner

One must first be open and willing to learn. My coaching is built around what we call The Beginners’ Mind. This is a state of mind where you will see things that with such freshness and intrigue it will cause you to have the wonder of a child. No I am not asking you to act naïve or to ignore the truth. To the contrary, What I want to leave you with is: Once you have coached with me and developed a beginners mind, no matter what paradigms you may now hold, no matter what you have experienced or heard, you will see it for what it really is and you will start a climb that will bring you a joy unspeakable and a future you can only dream . The Coach is ready are you?

Yours for success
Coach Joe