Beginner’s Mind

I’ve been practicing Zazen now for maybe a dozen years.  My practice has waxed and waned, twisted and contorted into all different flavors of meditation and mindfullness.  I’ve researched, read, written and forgotten most of what I would ever know about The Path … so it is a small wonder that when my friend mentioned “Begginer’s Mind” I had a hand slapping forehead moment of DUH-ism.  How could I forget the jewel of the practice?  So of course this morning I began to google Shoshin for a refresher course.  It’s that habit, you know?  If only I read one more article, find one new exercise, listen to one more mockumentary … then I will find what has been missing on my road to easy street.

Fortunately for me, for the moment, my google-gone-wild was short lived.  And I was able to smile at my high-tech lens that I was trying to look through to find the old teaching.  Beginner’s Mind.  To completely empty our cup, so that we may take in the new elixir that life is pouring into our chalice.  Shoshin.  To realize that all of our “knowing” amounts to a thimble full of nothing.

In this moment … when I am tempted by conditioning to judge the pain and circumstances as the root of my suffering … I can instead find a small cushion, push aside the clutter on the floor (and in my mind) and SIT in the stillness (still-a-mess) and let my heart open to what is Here and Now.  This Breath . . . there is no-thing more to add or take away in order to realize (real <> lies) the power of the practice.

Deep bow of Gratitude.