A Beginner's Mind

"Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

 Humility and openness are essential components for those on a spiritual path. The human brain has a powerful ability to see what we think is real, rather that what is actually real. Often, our thoughts and feelings are clouded by preconceptions that choke our capacity to see life as it is.

A beginner doesn’t have to unlearn preconceived ideas and biases. A beginner’s mind is open and eager to learn. A beginner can approach the world with the freshness of a child.  "In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind there are few," said the Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki.

Perhaps Jesus knew that part of our spiritual journey is getting back to our beginner’s mind. The most direct path is prayer and meditation.

So, try this. Relax for just a moment, wherever you are. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and count very slowly to ten. Even this brief meditation can begin to open your beginner’s mind.