Mindfulness: beginner spirit – the power of the open look
In the philosophy of Mindfulness, the beginner’s spirit (Shoshin) describes the attitude to always look at everything as if it were seen for the first time. This concept originally comes from Zen Buddhism, but its importance and application extend far beyond religious or spiritual borders. Ausfärgeist is in a Basic attitude of mindfulness. But what exactly is the background of the beginner’s spirit, why should we cultivate it, and what profound knowledge can we gain from it?
What does beginner spirit mean in mindfulness?
The term “Shoshin” comes from Japanese and describes a mindset of openness, curiosity and impartiality. Those who go through life with a beginner spirit meet situations without prejudices, expectations or firm assumptions. Zen master Shunryu Suzuki aptly formulated: “There are many opportunities in the spirit of the beginner, only a few in the spirit of the expert.” The beginner’s spirit preserves us to freeze in routines and allows us to constantly discover new things and gain deeper experiences.
Background of the beginner’s spirit
The roots of the beginner’s spirit lie deep in the Zen tradition of Buddhism. It is an expression of an inner attitude that is characterized by clarity and simplicity. The practice of this attitude should help us free us from the ballast of our habits, reviews and stuck opinions. According to the Greek philosopher Socrates, who said: “I know that I don’t know anything”, it already becomes clear that true wisdom lies in the conscious recognition of our ignorance.
Goal of the beginner’s spirit
The goal of the practice of the beginner’s spirit is to give us a fresh, unpaid view of life. This perspective leads us directly to the present, promotes our creativity, facilitates learning and makes us more empathetic and tolerant compared to other perspectives. By always questioning our knowledge and allowing ourselves to rediscover things, we develop a deeper connection to ourselves and to our environment.
Findings from the beginner’s spirit
Anyone who cultivates the beginner’s spirit experiences how much life depends on the quality of our perception. Suddenly familiar situations, encounters and challenges become valuable opportunities for growth and development. This attitude allows us to perceive the beauty of the moment and to discover the wealth in the apparently ordinary. Heraklit already stated: “You can’t get into the same river twice.” Every moment is new and unique.
The practice of the beginner’s spirit also reduces stress because it takes the burden of constant evaluation and expectation from our shoulders. By going through life with open and interested attitudes, we recognize the many possibilities that were otherwise hidden. This creates an inner freedom that can give us deep joy and satisfaction.
Mindfulness: how to practice beginners spirit
Practicing beginners’ spirit means above all to consciously pause and regularly remember that every experience is unique and irretrievable. This can succeed through small exercises in everyday life, such as conscious listening, slow and mindful eating or looking at well -known things with deliberately naive curiosity. Meditation can also help to keep the mind clear and open and to free us from our automatic reactions.
The beginner spirit is ultimately an attitude that enables us to go through life with deep presence, openness and appreciation. He reminds us that true learning and true wisdom always lie in the willingness to see the world with new eyes.
3 more demanding exercises for cultivating the beginner’s spirit in mindfulness
1. A day without judgments
- Goal: Liberation of automatic reviews and perception sharpening.
- Directions: Try to consciously not to make reviews or judgments for a whole day. Watch how often you automatically value and practice just perceiving yourself without immediately forming an opinion.
- Knowledge: You will notice how strongly reviews your thinking influence and how liberating it is to perceive without judging.
2. Discover the familiar rediscover
- Goal: Development of deep presence and attention in everyday life.
- Directions: Choose an everyday activity, such as the way to work, cook or tidy up. Exact this task consciously and very slowly, as if it were the first time that you do it. Pay attention to details and sensations.
- Knowledge: You will discover the beauty and depth in supposedly banal tasks and strengthen your ability to linger carefully in the here and now.
3. challenging discussions
- Goal: Development of empathy, openness and understanding.
- Directions: Get a conscious conversation with a person whose opinion is very different from yours. Try to listen openly without arguing or defending yourself immediately.
- Knowledge: You learn to better understand different perspectives and discover how openness enriches your interpersonal relationships and strengthens your communication skills.
The beginner spirit is ultimately an attitude that enables us to go through life with deep presence, openness and appreciation. He reminds us that