The Empty Your Cup is a popular Zen story about a Master and his student. The Master likened his student to a full cup—the vessel cannot be filled with new knowledge if the cup is not emptied. In the InService Brotherhood Bootcamp, emptying one’s cup is the very important start of the entire training. This is the moment when one lets go of his ego, and allows the lessons learned during the bootcamp to fill his heart and his mind. The exercise, however, is taken to many different levels.

The ISB Bootcamp is all about experiential training, making it necessary for its participants to truly feel each process. Emptying one’s cup is an activity that doesn’t just involve mental and emotional preparation, but also a physical step as well. Each participant is physically asked to empty his or her cup as a symbol of commitment to understand and take in the lessons to be learned throughout the duration of the Bootcamp.