Day 35: Begin as a beginner.
One of my goals for the past few years has been to approach every situation with an open mind — that is, as Marianne Williamson explains it, a mind that “has room to receive.” Too often, we enter into relationships, opportunities, and experiences feeling as though we already know everything there is to know about them. But how often is that really the case?
“In Zen Buddhism, there’s a concept called ‘zen mind,’ or ‘beginner’s mind.’ They say that the mind should be like an empty rice bowl. If it’s already full, then the universe can’t fill it. If it’s empty, it has room to receive. This means that when we think we have things already figured out, we’re not teachable. Genuine insight can’t dawn on a mind that’s not open to receive it. Surrender is a process of emptying the mind.”
— Marianne Williamson
For just one day, do your best to take a step back and acknowledge the fact that, even if you’re the most experienced expert, there remains room for you to deepen your understanding and broaden your horizons — whether it be mentally, spiritually, or emotionally.
As you approach each situation with an open mind instead of a closed one, you just might find that it’s easier to maintain a positive state of mind.
With love,
— J
For further insights on mindfulness, follow along with the rest of the 100 Mindful Days collection on Medium.
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Jana Marie is a writer and photographer living amidst the peaceful embrace of the Canadian prairies.
She hopes that 100 Mindful Days will be her first book. If you’d like to reach her for publishing-related inquiries, interview requests, or a good cup of coffee, you can get in touch via jana@j-m.ca.
