We all have an expertise in a certain area of our life, where we are proficient in this dimension of our daily routine and feel we have mastered this realm. After years of practice and discipline, you may now be brilliant in the kitchen, raising children, working out and/or your career. This is to be commended as it takes tremendous dedication to master an endeavor.
But the risk is we can close our minds to new possibilities by being an expert. Our comfort level is high and we therefore navigate it effortlessly which can mindlessly trap us into falling into autopilot mode. The joy slowly fades as our comfort level increases; our curiosity diminishes and the task becomes more mundane, perhaps even boring. As Shunryu Suzuki said, “In the Beginner’s Mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few.” The same can be said in any mundane routine that ceases to become an adventure and feels more like a chore.
Beginner’s Mind means bringing a spirit of curiosity, without getting caught up in preconceived notions. You approach things with inquiry and an open mind, rather than stubbornly adhering to patterns and opinions. Easier said than done, as it’s our natural instinct to want control and ensure a predictable outcome. Our minds want to neatly categorize and put each experience into a box – we know our routine and don’t want to disrupt the process.
But by viewing things with a fresh attitude and a curious mind into your field of awareness, we can easily rediscover the joy and wonder. Perhaps the best example we’ve all experienced is seeing things through someone else’s eyes. When I took a friend from Italy – who had never been to America or seen the Pacific Ocean! – to my favorite California beaches, I saw the world through her eyes. White, sandy beaches with palm trees waving in the perfect California sunshine. She marveled in wonder at the beauty I had once fully appreciated too but now had totally taken for granted. Her perspective changed my experience by viewing the panoramic landscape with fresh, new eyes. If you have introduced your expertise to a child trying it for the first time, you most likely will rediscover your own passion simply by observing their wide open gaze. When I showed my nephew how to play a few cool tunes on guitar – and I’m no expert – I’m quite sure my joy exceeded his as we both learned something new in the process. I remembered why I loved to play and strummed the chords with a renewed rock star fervor.
Next time you take a walk in the park, see it as if for the first time; next time you cook a meal, do it as if for the first time; next time you sit at the piano, play it as if for the first time; next time you work out, feel the energy for the first time. In fact, try to practice this attitude of renewal in all your daily life. If your mind is free of resistance, it is always ready for anything; it is open to everything and the endless possibilities. Bringing a Beginner’s Mind to any activity you have done for a while will enhance your experience with renewed vigor and appreciation.
Coming back to the mind of a beginner on things we do all the time is such a simple but great, novel idea. I will try it!
This is a very interesting concept, have not heard about it or ever thought of trying but seems simple enough so will try here now to see the joy of the holidays for the first time. Imagine if we could all still view the holidays as if for the first time when we were children!
This is quite profound but sorta simple to try to take effect so will go for it and try! thx =)
Incredible idea to try. As you say in many of your writing, much is based in our mind on how we see the world and this more than anything explains this, thank you
Bulls-eye with this, we can keep it fresh by change within rather than seeking external new pleasures constantly. could not agree more!
Wouldn’t it be perfect to approach each day like this? Treat it as fresh ‘n new, a fun idea to try =)
I imagine this is why we all need to “get away” occasionally, to return to what was old and make it feel new? A wonderful work, thank you!
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A good idea to see things as new, and I guess workable to try in any moment of every day life. I like the part of seeing things thru someone else’s eyes as the same happened to me when I hosted a friend for a while.
This fits well with your theme and other writings. The only chance we have to enjoy and live is in the present and to be in the NOW is the best mind state.
I really like your writing style, great information, very nice design and style and superb subject material, very little else we want thank you for putting up : D.
Conceptually, this makes perfect sense so I want to try it in my normal, daily routine. Here’s to new beginnings!
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and welcome your fresh ideas and witty writing style.
This mindset is all about attitude, I presume. Being open to seeing all things new again requires clear thinking and proper attitude. It’s worth a try but need a reminder so as not to slip into old patterns. Cheers.
You deliver the goods on this excellent post here. So many feel we need to move and change our environment when often it’s just the change we need to do within ourselves to re-appreciate the blessings we have in life. Well done!
This is a superb way to view life and make the old feel new. I typically follow my gut instinct and will try this idea.
This is truly worthy of note, You are a vastly skilled blogger. I will be curious to try this in my routine of daily life.
I’m impressed, I must say. Really, I rarely encounter a blog that’s both educative and enjoyable, and leave it to me to tell you, you did exactly both quite well. Good writing on an interesting topic, thank you.
The info talked about inside the article are some of the best available. I know this concept and still learned from you, thank you
It is true, we all seem to be experts in many things often to our detriment. Could it be ego and arrogance, where we are not open to opinion? I think perhaps so. Regardless, the mindset you suggest can bring change and joy
This is a very inspiring concept, the notion of seeing things for the first time. We can all learn from small children and even our pets! Nicely done.
This makes perfect sense, I think I want to try it. Also, I can see the labor you put into your writing on this internet site and compliment you for your efforts!