What is Beginner’s Mind?

Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki said, “In the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few” (Suzuki, 1970). Beginner’s Mind (Chinese: Chuxin, 初心, Japanese: Shoshin) is a mind that is completely open, without judgment, without expectations. A beginner does not have the baggage of prior experience. Why is prior experience aContinue reading “What is Beginner’s Mind?”

Why Do I Feel Like I’m Starting All Over Sometimes?

After we have put in some time with mindfulness practice and have been practicing for a while, we have a certain sense of how things will go when we meditate. But sometimes, when our life is hectic, stressful, or challenging, we might find ourselves sitting down to meditate and having a hard time with theContinue reading “Why Do I Feel Like I’m Starting All Over Sometimes?”

How Do I Calm Down My Wandering Mind?

Being distracted and unfocused during meditation is very common. Having a wandering mind during meditation is very common. It doesn’t mean that you are doing it wrong, or that you are “not cut out for mindfulness meditation.” It’s OK that many thoughts come up and distract us during meditation. The mindfulness technique is to noticeContinue reading “How Do I Calm Down My Wandering Mind?”