Wisdom of a Beginner's Mind - A Quick Sunday Read
An inkling to tickle your thoughts and inspire your words
I’ve been thinking more about a quote included in my last Sunday Read.
“I think people in the middle of their adulthood need to learn how to become a beginner again… it moves you out of the fixed mindset… and into the mindset that you want to improve yourself and learn. That process allows you to become a newbie again, but also to feel fresh.”—Buzz Williams
I think accumulating wisdom plus a beginner’s mind are a powerful combo as we evolve in midlife and beyond.
Last weekend I attended a retreat with a group of fellow seekers. We began the deeply meditative evening with a group intention. Entering into deep meditation with a beginner’s mind is key to the most transformative experience. Witnessing and experiencing the beginner’s mind in practice was fire. Then as downloads from higher wisdom were received, in the beginner’s mind the information landed and formed solidly.
It led to this week’s word, the lovely Zen word that encapsulates it.
As always, I would love to hear your thoughts.
A Quick Word - Words have power. Use them well.
This week's word: Shoshin
Shoshin is Japanese (初心) and is a concept from Zen Buddhism meaning beginner's mind.
Shoshin. What an expansive word.
It's a verb that means "to support or improve something or make it stronger."
It’s also a noun meaning "A structure designed to eliminate friction or provide support or bearing." Like a cushion or pillow.
The term stems from Zen Buddhism and Japanese martial art and entered the world’s zeitgeist through Shunryū Suzuki's 1970 book “Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind.”
“The practice of shoshin acts as a counter to the hubris and closed-mindedness often associated with thinking of oneself as an expert.”
“The word shoshin is a combination of sho (Japanese: 初), meaning "beginner" or "initial", and shin (Japanese: 心), meaning "mind.”
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's mind there are few.”— Shunryu Suzuki
The quote is about the concept of shoshin, which is often translated to "never forget the beginner's mind" or "never forget your original intent". Suzuki suggests that an empty mind is open to everything, while prior knowledge and expertise can block us from seeing things in a new way.
Growth comes when merging a beginner’s mind with accumulated wisdom.
It’s approaching a new topic without preconceived notions. Allowing your accumulated wisdom to make room for it, with a beginner's mind.
"Beginner's mind is a way to look at the world as if for the first time: with interest, enthusiasm and engagement. This may be the optimal state of mind for the healthy brain."— Louis Cozolino
It was beautiful watching both of my great nephews this past week as they discovered new things. That lightbulb moment in their eyes when a realization happens, the instant when their open beginner’s mind meets their newly discovered wisdom.
Those lightbulb moments are still brought to you by your beginner’s mind.
A beginner’s mind is an open receptacle. It’s setting aside the this-is-the-way-it’s-done mindset.
It’s listening to a fresh voice as it enters the conversation, without formulating a ready response.
It’s inviting your big, beautiful mind to make space.
And, it’s hushing the committee of judgment.
The growth then takes place during the integration of the new information. Perhaps reframing or rewriting an old paradigm. Then, incorporating it into the bank of accumulating wisdom.
A beginner’s mind elevates continued mastery.
A beginner’s mind is helpful when taking a proven skill set into a new arena. In a recent interview with Ryan Seacrest, he talks about this. He brought his career-long, proven hosting skills along with a beginner’s mind into the iconic arena that is “Wheel of Fortune” as he stepped into the role previously owned by Pat Sajak.
He took the time and space to learn it and then to make it his in a new way, while honoring the national treasure that it is.
Beginner’s mind + honed skill set + accumulated wisdom = Elevated mastery
The key to a beginner’s mind? Listening.
Be in a beginner’s mind with your own highest wisdom. The inquiry could be: what am I to know that’s beyond my current understanding?
Your journal is great partner for the beginner’s mind. Have an open dialogue inside the pages.
Take a few moments this week to ponder how you can bring some shoshin to your day.
Journal Prompt
Prompt: Ponder the question posed above: What am I to know that’s beyond my current understanding?
Want to go deeper into your life? Consider embarking on a journaling quest:
The Art of Journaling to Transform Your Life & Live Your Purpose
A Quick Share
Here are a few lovely things worth sharing this week:
I Open-Sesame’d “Teachings on Love” by Thich Nhat Hanh and landed on this quote. To say it’s perfect for me right now is an understatement. I hope you find it an inspiration too:
“If I were to have any advice, it would be this: Tonight, when you return from school or work, or the next time you visit your mother, go into her room calmly, silently, with a smile, and sit down beside her. Without saying anything, make her stoop working, and look at her for a long time. Look at her well, in order to see her well, in order to realize she is there, alive, sitting beside you. Then take her hand and ask her this short question: “Mother, do you know something?” She will be a little surprised, and will ask you, smiling, “What, dear?” Continuing to look into her eyes with a serene smile, tell her, “Do you know that I love you?”
A creative journey starts with one step.
Sometimes the first step is asking for help.
What do you want to create?
Perhaps a Creative Jam Session is the key to opening the portal to your highest imagination.
Now's the time for your Projects, Passion, and Purpose™! Book a year of creativity with me and you'll be amazed at what you accomplish.
You can also bring me on as a writer. Need help with a story, treatment, screenplay, bio, website, outline, newsletter, or profile? I’m your ghost. :)
Email me to chat about it. cindy@cindyyantis.com.
I hope you have a great week filled with growing your shoshin. And, kindness.
Keep creating, abundantly,
It seems that many of us try to adopt a beginner's mind because of the benefits it offers. But is it possible to achieve this mindset through a deliberate effort? Imagine you see a tree, and it doesn't interest you. Then, your mind steps in, telling you to pay attention. But instead of focusing on the tree, you're now focused on the thought that you should be paying attention to the tree. It's easy to get caught in these mental loops.
I love this so much. I'm going to pin that word on my mirror. I've trying to think of everything i do like an experiment, and that's similar energy. I've also been aware of the way my mind wants to close up and be done with learning as I hit mid life. Especially with tech. I'm trying to be super aware of that and lean in to new things. My mom calls it "intellectual antique" lol