ISmile280 – Cultivating a Beginner’s Mind

My teacher‘s teacher, Shunryu Suzuki, offered up this famous spiritual pearl: “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities; in the expert’s mind there are few.” While its meaning may appear to suggest that we need to cultivate a mind like that of a child in order to successfully walk the path, there is more to what he is saying. “Beginner’s mind,” at its core, is about allowing “not-knowing” to support our spiritual search. Instead of cultivating a sense of certitude, which only leads to attachment and inhibits our spiritual opening, allowing wonder and curiosity to take a lead role in our individual journeys keeps us on the path. So, as Michael says, “be curious of the whole affair” as a way of staying true to both ourselves as well as the spiritual journey we’re taking. With this in mind, what would you ask the Buddha if he or she walked into the room? How might you get to that question in the first place? Four points of practice help us cultivate the spaciousness of a beginner’s mind. First, we meet the world as it is. Second, we open ourselves to non-expectation in relation to outcomes. Third, we get comfortable with “not-knowing.” Fourth, meditate regularly in order to uncoil an experience of what is always prior to all things.