Zen Mind, Beginners Mind
A few days ago, I listened to a podcast summarizing a book on Zen and its philosophies. I noticed that Zen and its specific meditation practice, known as Zazen, are paradoxical in many ways. Since then, I have been reading more about Zazen and one key concept that resonated with me is that in Zazen, you can only attain by first not wanting to attain.
To strive for a goal in Zazen is to fail before you've even begun, and any claims of growth, progress, or enlightenment are hollow. Time, in Zazen meditation, is both infinite and finite, broad and narrow. Success and failure, two sides of the same coin, are just different interpretations of the same thing.
The core concept of non-attainment deeply resonated with me because it seems that we only gain the things we previously desired when we stop desiring or chasing them. Wanting things contradicts the core principles of Zazen since desiring a specific outcome pulls us out of the present moment. For instance, going to the gym solely to get an impressive physique contradicts Zen since it stops us from making the most of the present moment, and sets us up for an endless chase.
Personally, I’ve noticed myself at some points this semester working extremely hard in my Master’s because I want to get a high enough GPA to get accepted into Medicine at the end of the year. But by doing this, I’m setting myself up for unneeded worry, stress, and most importantly, I’m missing the point. I am unable to appreciate the journey, failing to make the most of the moment, failing to love what I’m doing right now, as my mind constantly fixates on an uncertain future.
But by instead, not wanting anything and focusing on the present moment, without expecting any reward or outcome, we can maximize our chances of success. Non-attachment brings clarity to the mind and helps us focus on the task at hand.
To have a beginner's mind means embracing failure, cherishing the journey, and anticipating nothing from the future. Like a child waiting to slide down a playground slide for the sheer joy of it, we should approach each task without expecting any returns. Every day, every hour, and at every moment, we must strive to do our best work, for, in the end, that's all that truly matters.
Have a Zen Mind.
Have a Beginners Mind.
