Soshin - A Beginner's Mind
Wisdom from Zen Buddhism
Hi Readers,
Welcome to Pranav Reads!
I had pre-ordered Ali Abdaal’s first book, Feel Good Productivity but could not get to reading it until just a few weeks ago. One of the reasons I didn’t pick it up for so long was that I was a bit disappointed that I didn’t receive a signed copy despite being amongst the first few people to pre-order it. The Bibliotaph inside me saw this as a missed chance to hoard another signed copy into his collection.
However now that I have finished reading the book, it is fair to say, that the book didn’t disappoint me, and the bibliotaph in me has long forgiven Ali for his sins! 😜
Sharing a little excerpt from the book today, I hope the Zen wisdom helps you!
Happy Reading 😁
Soshin
Japanese word shoshin, which roughly translates as 'beginner's mind', Shoshin refers to a state of mind in which we approach every task and situation with the curiosity, openness, and humility of a beginner.
It might sound odd that adopting a beginner's mind helps you become more of an expert in that field. Surely a beginner is someone who, by definition, has no idea what they are doing? However, shoshin can have a remarkable impact precisely because it allows us to see things afresh.
Think about a skill you've spent years learning. You probably have a set way of doing it; if you like to draw, you know which part of a portrait you prefer to start first. If you play sport, you probably decided long ago which position on the pitch best suits your talents. Your experiences have made you much more set in your ways than you once were.
A beginner, on the other hand, has none of these preconceptions. A beginner is more willing to try things out, even if they might fail. A beginner will start with whichever part of somebody's portrait tickles their fancy. And a beginner is happy to start off playing anywhere on the field, even if they might make a fool of themselves. They're more willing to make mistakes, and these mistakes are precisely what's needed to learn.
When we try to see the world with a fresh perspective, we can maintain this learning process long after it would usually stop.
So how can we integrate this beginner's outlook into our lives? The answer starts with giving yourself some simple reminders.
If you're in the world of business, shoshin might mean embracing innovation and experimentation, reminding yourself that 'masters' become limited by their beliefs in what's been done and how, while beginners seek new approaches to problem-solving and explore new markets or opportunities. Or if you work in creative fields like writing or music, shoshin might mean deliberately maintaining your interest in different techniques, and pushing yourself to collaborate with people with different styles. Beginners don't hold strong beliefs about what will work, they just try.
By letting go of the idea that we know everything, or somehow should, we actually feel more powerful. In this way, shoshin can help us approach challenges with a greater sense of curiosity, humility and resilience - and help us to learn.