As Zen teacher Suzuki Roshi famously said, “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few.” When we start to learn anything for the first time, we are fresh, curious, and open to all possibilities. Our mind is not yet solid with concepts, opinions, and certainties. This beginner’s mind is awakened mind itself, which is beyond concepts and opinion. It is the “don’t know” mind that is the essence of meditation, and we should never lose it.
On the other hand, when we’re just starting our encounter with Buddhism, it is always helpful to learn more about the dharma and to get some advice about our practice. Our “Beginner’s Mind” material, as found in the department of the same name in Lion’s Roar magazine, is meant to answer the most common questions of people who are starting their exploration of Buddhism. Enjoy, thanks for reading, and may you always be a beginner.
Read more “Beginner’s Mind” here.
