An excerpt from the books of Takeshi Mori
In Okinawa, they say hara hachi bu before every meal — eat until you are 80% full. But the principle extends beyond food. Work until you are 80% spent. Give until you are 80% empty. Speak until you are 80% finished — then stop and let silence carry the rest.
The 20% you reserve is not selfishness. It is the margin that allows your practice to continue tomorrow. You cannot pour from an empty vessel. Hara hachi bu ensures you never have to.
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