I have a friend who often says “I know that”. It gets to the point where you stop suggesting things because you have the feeling he knows it all. So what’s the point?
I admit I’ve also been arrogant in the past thinking I knew how to do something and I recognize that as a mistake on my part. I wasn’t receptive to the learning because I thought I already knew it. That was an opportunity wasted.
When we are able to open ourselves like a beginner, whether it’s the first time we hear something or the thousandth time, we will learn from it at a different level.
I’m learning wing Chun, a martial art, at the moment and reading up a bit too. I have learnt that with one of the pair forms, it all looks the same to the outside. Whilst the beginner is going through the motions and learning what to do, the more advanced person is feeling it at a whole different level, feeling the nuances, the subtleties, the pace, the sensitivity and a whole lot more. There’s always another level.
So whatever you are learning, try looking at it from a beginner’s point of view and see what else you can learn.
Time to empty your cup.