Beginners Mind Is 'Surprise!' Mind

Beginners Mind Is 'Surprise'! Mind

An excerpt from: Waking Up To Life!
The Art and Skill of Awakened Attention
by Aaron McNaught
(Available soon!!!!!!)

Practice: Beginners Mind

The first words from Suzuki Roshi in his wonderful little book 'Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind' were: "In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few."

Beginner's Mind is the original mind, the mind before it is the mind. It is what it is before we catagorize, lable, name, or interpret.

Beginner's Mind is the innocent mind before it pretends to be smart or worldly or wise. It is open to receiving doubt and understanding just the same, because it is not full of anything. Rather, it is empty and therefor, receptive. Beginner's Mind sees things as they are, not as they could be or should be or were. It approaches each moment as an unknown, unfamiliar, with full attention, curiousity and care, as if it will never appear again. It will not appear again. But Beginner's Mind cannot be certain of that.

Beginner's Mind is ignorant in the very best way.

As I type these words I have become very uncertain what Beginner's Mind is, but I will proceed ... none-the-less.

Beginner's Mind always proceeds, even when it is uncertain. Especially when it is uncertain. Except when it doesn't, then that is also Beginner's Mind.

Beginner's Mind might be reading these words right this instant, and suddenly, Surprise! It found you.

Beginner' Mind is Surprise! mind. You need not look for it because it is already looking for you, but if you find yourself looking for it, no worries because that is Beginner's Mind too. Surprise!

Beginners Mind is the essence of mind, like the wetness of water.

Now, having told you what Beginners Mind is, let me tell you what Beginners Mind is not. Beginners Mind is not nothing. If that cramps your mind for a moment, good. Mind cramps are like food for Beginners Mind.

It is now that you might want to forget everything I have just shared with you and simply find out for yourself what it is. Obviously, I do not know.

If you find out I would be grateful if you would me let me know. Surprise!