Beginner's Mind
Posted on Feb 11th, 2008
by 
Laurens
Laurens
Beginner's mind
"The goal of practice is to always keep our beginner's mind.
The most important thing is not to be dualistic.
Our "original mind" includes everything within itself.
It is always rich and sufficient within itself.
You should not lose your self-sufficient state of mind.
This does not mean a closed mind,
but actually an empty mind and a ready mind.
If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything;
it is open to everything.
In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities;
in the expert's mind there are few.
There is no need to have a deep understanding of Zen.
Even though you read much Zen literature, you must read each sentence with a fresh mind. You should not say, "I know what Zen is," or "I have attained enlightenment."
This is also the real secret of the arts: always be a beginner.
Be very very careful about this point.
If you start to practice zazen, you will begin to appreciate your beginner's mind.
It is the secret of Zen practice."
Shunryu Suzuki
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind
When do you experience beginner's mind?
How does it feel?
Wishing you a beautiful day (^-^)!
Warm regards,
Laurens
Access: PublicTagged with: Zen, Japan, Buddhism, Beginner's Mind, Shunryu Suzuki, meditation, practice, open, mind
beginners mind
August 2008 