subject: Know all facts about Zen [print this page] Know all facts about Zen Know all facts about Zen
Shoshin, a concept in Zen Buddhism meaning beginners mind refers to have an at conceptions when learning, even when studying at an advanced level. Generally applied to the material arts or other art forms, it is also applicable to all areas of our lives.
As someone who teaches, I see many people who consider themselves "expert" in their chosen area, struggle with learning other newer things sometimes giving up too easily.
It is not that they are not intelligent, it is more that they get impatient with their slowness in figuring out something different; or they cannot bear to display their own early incompetence, that is so necessary before one can get better, and this way they can also ruin for themselves the joy of the process itself.
And as someone who learns I often see this all too painfully in myself before I remind myself to be aware and step away from the often unhelpful I know attitude. A friend humorously yet perceptively called the place of being blocked in this way the point of no return.
In the current culture of achievement, and freely used labels like "loser" adopting beginner's mind can be very challenging, so to have an understanding of how this works, how it is useful, may be of help.
The first thing that comes to mind is shunryu suzuki's explanation, which captures it best, in the beginner's mind there are few. In fact a wonderful teacher once gifted us hungry learners with this advice, don't know is the warrior's wisdom. At crucial moments, it can help you take a step back and allow you to respond to the situation as it truly is.
