Now I know what you’re thinking,
“How does this relate to learning programming?”
Oh, it does and you’re about to find out.
There was a man who loved Martial Arts. He became fully engrossed as he witnessed the elegance and effortlessness Bruce Lee put into the art. This was at the International Karate Torna.
Fast forward a few weeks, Bruce Lee was to mentor him. But, he had to pass Bruce’s interview.
Why?
Bruce was highly selective about the students he chose to teach.
“Why do you want to study with me?” Bruce asked. “Because I was impressed with your demonstration and because I heard you’re the best.”
“You’ve studied other martial arts?”
“For a long time… but I stopped sometime ago and now I want to start all over again.” said Bruce’s potential student.
Bruce asked him to demonstrate moves he could remember.
And he did the basic kicks, blocks, punches. All he could remember.
Then Bruce said “Do you realize you have to unlearn what you have learnt and start all over again”
He said “No!”
“Let me tell you a story my Sifu told me” Bruce said.
P.S : Sifu means Master
“There was a Japanese Zen master who received a professor who came to inquire about Zen.
The professor blabbered on and on, trying to impress the Zen master with his own knowledge and opinions.
The master listened carefully and decided to offer his visitor tea.
“Would you care for some tea?” “Yes thanks!” the professor replied.
The Master poured his visitor’s cup full and kept on pouring.
The professor watched the cup overflow until he couldn’t refrain himself anymore.
“The cup is overfull! No more will go in.” He said
The master replied “Like this cup, you’re full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup ”
Do you get the point?”
Do you understand what the master is trying to get across?
What the master wants from you is to empty your mind of past knowledge, old habits, and self doubting thoughts so that you’ll be open to new learning.
And with that you’re ready to begin your first lesson.
I know Bruce’s interviewee got the point. Why else would Bruce select him as his new student?