Beginner's Mind
“In the beginner’s mind
there are many possibilities,
but in the expert’s there are few.”
This famous line from Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki emphasizes the value of novelty in everyday life. When I become an expert on or in anything, that thing loses its novelty. One thing many of us develop expertise on is ourselves. I know what I think, what I believe, what I like and don’t like. As this knowing increases over the course of life, the possibility in any given moment continues to shrink. And while this provides a sense of control, coherence, and predictability, it also removes the wonder and awe of living that comes so natural to a child.
When I let myself be a beginner with regard to me, who I am becomes a brand new possibility unfolding in the present moment. And each day becomes filled with novelty and surprise. The reason a game is enjoyable, or a novel, a movie, or the receiving of a gift, is because we don’t know what’s coming. When I allow life to become a surprise through the willingness to drop what I already know and become a true beginner, I can receive the present moment anew each morning. In the words of Maya Angelou, “This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before.”
Just come back to your
beginner’s mind.
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