Revisiting The Beginner After The Master

""In the beginners mind there are many possibilities,

but in the expert's there are very few."

Suzuki Roshi, Zen Master

An open mind discovers never ending opportunities; whereas, a rigid and closed mind creates a very narrow path.  As a child, adults share information with us, and we are not aware of additional knowledge.  Adults seem to be sharing the gospel and who are we, mere children, to question authority.

Knowledge opens the world to us.  We can choose what to believe and what to disregard.  When our imaginations survive criticism, we can be led to great discoveries.  We experience expansion in our search rather than confinement governed by fear.  

If a great teacher or Master restricts thinking to just one way, without consideration to opposing views, she or he has forgotten the possibilities entertained by the  beginners mind.  There is joy and discovery while using the beginners mind.  It is open, but not immune to discretion.  

We find freedom in exploration, but it does not mean that we become wild or overwhelmed.  We pick and choose our way during the adventure while still observing the scenery.  When we evaluate our beliefs, what better way than to have comparison to reinforce our choices?  When we become familiar with conflicting views, we make more appropriate individual decisions based on fact rather than spoon fed unchallenged rote beliefs.

We play the role of beginner and at other times the role of Master.  It is to our benefit to be able to cycle in and out of both roles, always learning and expanding.  We can share what we have mastered, but continue to gather in even more with a beginners mind.