Over the past few weeks, we’ve been exploring ways to see more clearly by expanding perspectives, including the experience of wonder. In order to do this, there is a need to unlearn or suspend what we already know or think and go back to what’s called in the Zen world, a “beginner’s mind.”
What is a beginner's mind? Quite simply, it’s seeing, as if for the first time. We’ve all experienced this, first as children, when everything is fresh and new, and as adults, when we try a new game or sport, or research a new area of interest, or visit a place for the very first time. When you’re new to something, you’re starting from scratch. It feels exciting, maybe even a little frightening. Being a beginner entails falling and failing, things we often avoid.
“In this state of mind, you are: free of preconceptions of how anything works, free of expectations about what will happen, filled with curiosity to understand things more deeply, open to a world of possibilities, since you don’t yet know what is or isn’t possible.” ~ Patrick Buggy, How to Cultivate Beginner’s Mind
In a post from the art blog, The Painter’s Keys, a veteran painter wrote to the writer, Sara Genn, that he wished he could become a beginner again. Sara replied that it’s always possible to go back to “beginner’s mind.” She suggested that he pay attention, remember the dreams he had when he started, explore new areas without obligation, and imagine other possibilities. In other words, play, experiment, explore.
No matter how old we are, it’s important to try new things and make time for play. When I moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake ten years ago, I decided that I wanted to learn to sail. It wasn’t at all easy. I learned that sailing requires physical strength and years of experience to “get” the water. It was exhilarating to try something new, even if I wasn’t very good at it.
Exploit or Explore
“Ezra Klein interviewed psychologist Alison Gopnik about the difference between adult brains and baby brains, why one focuses on ‘exploiting’ and one on ‘exploring,’ and more: Just trying to do something that’s different from the things that you’ve done before can put you into a state that’s more childlike." ~ Jocelyn K Glei, Why adults lose beginner's mind.
I love this distinction between exploiting and exploring. To exploit, as a verb, has the connotation of productive use; a means to an end. It’s taking advantage of an opportunity for some kind of outcome. To explore is very different. It has more of a playful or adventurous feel. You’re testing out scenarios, open to discoveries, not needing any particular outcome.
We all loved to play as kids, but sometimes forget how to do it as we take on adult responsibilities. A culture based on productivity and progress discourages play. Yet, so many great discoveries come from exploration.
When I write, the process feels like exploring. I have to examine what I think I know and root out assumptions from facts. I’m constantly revising, receiving new insights and information, taking out unnecessary parts, moving things around, and making connections. Each step is necessary to get to the next one. In a conversation about writing a memoir, Andre Dubus III, author of Townie, explains that the word “revise” means “to see again.”
Let’s add a little more fun and play into our days. Feel the uncertainty of not knowing what will happen next, and see new possibilities emerge.
Practice
It sounds so easy to just go back to a beginner's mind, but it’s not. How do you unlearn ways of seeing? The first step is to incorporate more play and exploration into each day. Reflect on how much time you spend each day playing or exploring. How can you incorporate more play into your days?
Explore for the sake of exploring. A good book for this purpose is Keri Smith’s How to Be an Explorer of the World. Even better if you can do some of these exercises with a child.
Photography is a great way to practice play. Let go of the need to get a “great picture” and explore new subjects or techniques. Read this post: The Value of Play in Photography.
Is there something you’ve never done before that you could try? Tell us in the comments about something new you’ve tried or learned recently?
Resources
See Leo Babauta's take on exercises in Beginner’s Mind at Zen Habits.
On the flip side, I enjoyed this take on last times from David Cain.
See Maria Popova’s post on the book, How to be an Explorer of the World.
I'm reading and digesting this post right after catching up with the previous post on wonder and awe. As I consider trying to cultivate a beginner's mind it weaves in with what I was feeling I needed to experience more awe and wonder - I want to take the brakes off, or perhaps remove the muffler, to sink into automotive metaphors. Oh, to let it rip, like the woman on the telephone call about an upcoming trip to Germany. As I write this I'm seeing a common thread of getting rid of self-judgement, and fear of others judging. AND to let go a fear of making mistakes. As I pack up what our culture tells me about productivity, I'll include perfection.