B87 TRIVIA GAME #14
28 September | 8:07 AM Manila

What's in Your Cup?

"Who Moved My Cheese," a once very popular book that came out in 1998 demonstrated the different ways people respond to change in their personal and work lives, told in a story with a couple of mice and "little people." Meanwhile, an old Buddhist principle as told in a story about spilling coffee could shine a light on not so much how people respond but what could be brewing inside, pun intended. Read more to learn about this Buddhist principle.

2 min read

Imagine yourself waiting in line inside your favourite coffee shop, when the barista called out your name. "Coffee up!" Hot and fresh, you carefully picked up your coffee and turned around excitedly, only to bump into someone heading to the restroom behind you. Your coffee spilled all over you, your shoes, and the floor. It was scalding hot.

Why did the coffee spill? Your immediate answer might be, "The coffee spilled because someone bumped into me." While that's the obvious cause, the Buddhist perspective invites a deeper reflection, one that highlights the interconnectedness of events.

The coffee spilled not just because of the bump, but also because there was coffee in the cup to begin with, and a convergence of circumstances led to that particular moment.

This perspective challenges thinking when life "bumps into" someone, when things do not work out as planned, or when misfortune strikes. When you hit a bump in the road of life, what spills out of your cup? Is it anger, frustration, bitterness, or blame, fueled by the "seeds" of negative emotions cultivated within? Or will there be peace, humility, or understanding, the fruits of mindfulness and compassion, spilling over despite what's just taken place in your life?

This is not about not acknowledging emotions or pretending all is well when it is not. It is about consciously filling life with kindness, love, compassion, and the wisdom that arises from understanding cause and effect. By cultivating practices like mindfulness and meditation, emotions can be observed without being swept away by them, transforming them into opportunities for growth and deeper understanding. When life inevitably "bumps" into you again, examine what's in your cup. Will the growth mindset spill over, or will self-pity and defeat come spilling out all over you?

(Easter Egg! If you are reading this, be the first one to mention "Coffee up!" and post on the Scientia 87 GC. Don't write anything else but the phrase "Coffee up!" only and tag Jeremy to claim the first $10 of $180 to be given each month leading up to the Batch's milestone event, now that the reunion is under 18 months away. Good luck!)

What's in Your Cup?

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