Clean Slate

For new beginnings in the New Year, start with a beginner’s mind
To paraphrase Marcel Proust, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” This beautifully expresses the Zen practice of beginner’s mind—an excellent addition to your mindfulness practice. Whatever you’re striving toward: turning a new leaf, starting a new chapter, heightened well-being, relationships, etc., beginner’s mind may just be the answer.
Human nature can be so fickle. We know what’s good for us, yet we let our resolutions to be better, and do better, fall by the wayside. Why? Is it boredom? Self-improvement fatigue? A lack of patience? Maybe the timing isn’t right. Or we simply don’t want to do anything too daunting.
But life-altering change takes effort. Enter “beginner’s mind,” an attitude that anyone can cultivate with practice. This mindset allows you to revisit, comprehend or appreciate any and all information with “new eyes.” It refers to an attitude of openness, eagerness and lack of preconceptions when striving toward a new goal or revisiting the old.
Beginner’s mind consciously sets aside the know-it-all, seen-it-all, done-it-all mindset that diminishes enthusiasm and undervalues the tried and true. A beginner’s mind is fond of saying, “There might just be more here than meets the eye. There might be something here that I’ve missed. Let’s have another look.” There is an innocence and wonderment to it—an openness to possibility. It encourages us to take everything we know, including our opinions, preconceived notions, and even our cherished beliefs, and put them aside for a bit. It also encourages us to say, “I don’t know,” even if we think we do.
Not knowing is a wonderful state to be in; it is so innocent and liberating. Beginner’s mind knows that even in the most familiar circumstances, there are riches to be unearthed. This is exploration of the deepest and most powerful kind. An odyssey into the terrain of self, and, by extension, one’s universe. Do you think you know your significant other? How about your children? Your boss? Your community? Your world? YOURSELF? I promise, there’s so much more there to discover. You can glance along the surface or really delve in deep, where infinite possibilities reside.
Beginner’s mind allows you to see your world anew every day so that, in every moment, old information can reach you in new ways, bringing fresh insights. And it includes active listening of the highest order. In relationship with self and others, our belief system often wants to stand its ground. This is the ego in charge with the need for control. I encourage you to surrender. Let it go. Repeat after me: “I don’t know.” And then listen.
Regularly practicing mindfulness, meditation, visualizations and positive affirmations will all be beneficial in cultivating your beginner’s mind. Go slowly, and take one day at a time. This takes practice. Carefully watch when the inner know-it-all rears its ugly head, and bring your attention to that spirit part of your being where infinite possibilities reside.
Meditation fosters a beginner’s mind, newly inspires us, gets our creative juices flowing and jumpstarts positive change. It helps to de-emphasize the old programming that replays over and over again in our minds, driving our unconscious behavior—while emphasizing positive thoughts and emotions. And on that note, use positive self-talk often.
When you get up in the morning, look in the mirror and say to yourself, “Every day in every way, I’m getting better and better.” Or, “Today’s a new day, and I can walk a different path.”
Ultimately, no matter what you’re striving toward, no matter what the situation or experience, intend on receiving value from it. Just remember that energy follows intention.
MARY BETH JANSSEN is a certified mind-body health educator for the Chopra Center for Well Being and author of five books. Send questions to marybeth@organicspamagazine.com.