How Bruce Lee Can Help Unleash the Green Dragon Inside You

"You're standing toe-to-toe with a corporate lawyer who drives a Hummer, hunts for sport, thinks global warming is a hoax, and defines a six-course meal as: beef, pork, veal, lamb, chicken, and fish. How in the name of Gaia do you reach this guy with a green message? You could scream, dig in your heels, mock him, or throw up your hands in surrender. Or you could do what Bruce Lee would do. No, I don't mean a lightning-like crescent kick to the head (although the temptation is nearly overwhelming). Bruce would simply ask Hummer Boy to empty his cup.


Joe Hyams, in his book Zen in the Martial Arts, tells of a lesson he learned when he was a student of the Little Dragon:



'Do you realize you will have to unlearn all you have learned and start over again?' Bruce asked him

'No,' I said.

He smiled and placed his hand lightly on my shoulder. 'Let me tell you a story my sifu told me,' he said. 'It is about a Japanese Zen master who received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen. It was obvious to the master from the start of the conversation that the professor was not so much interested in learning about Zen as he was in impressing the master with his opinions and knowledge. The master listened patiently and finally suggested they have tea. The master poured his visitor's cup full and then kept on pouring. The professor watched the cup overflowing until he could no longer restrain himself. 'The cup is overfull, no more will go in.'

'Like this cup,' the master said, 'you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?'

Bruce studied my face. 'You understand the point?'

'Yes,' I said. 'You want me to empty my mind of past knowledge and old habits so that I will be open to new learning.'

'Precisely,' said Bruce. 'And now we are ready to begin your first lesson.'

This does not mean that Bruce prevented me from applying a critical mind to his teaching. In fact, he welcomed discussion, even argument. But when challenged too long on a point, his reply was always, 'At least empty your cup and try.'

So, if you can get Hummer Boy to empty his cup and just listen, that's your chance to calmly and articulately explain why making green choices is both logical and compassionate. And it can't hurt for each of us to empty our own cups every now and then. There's an awful lot out there to be learned.

Oh, One More Thing:

Whenever possible, make sure your cup is filled with organic green tea."


I remember this story from reading a Bruce Lee book.
It is very wise and can be applied in life not just when it comes to switching from conventional to Green and Organic.



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