Shoshin, a Buddhist word usually translated as 'Beginner's Mind', refers to having an attitude of openness, enthusiasm, and  freedom from conceptual encumbrances.  It refers to the cultivation of an attitude or spirit where our perception is neither contaminated or limited by our cognitive thoughts and beliefs. The classic metaphor for this is the image of being unable to add more liquid to a cup that is already full; we need to first empty the cup. Beginner's Mind is a regarded as a highly effective way to learn something new, and it is often challenging to the human thought process with its tendency to try to make something fit into an existing schemata. 

Approaching something with a preconceived notion of how it will turn out alters the experience and limits the possibility of new outcomes. The ego mind, the part of us that is attached to being right in order to survive in the physical world, will often make assumptions about a situation and then set out to prove them true.  For example, if we have had an experience that leads us to conclude that horses are dangerous, our expectations will have us looking for things to be fearful of when we are around horses. We may misinterpret a horse's behavior to fit our beliefs and miss the equine beauty, strength, and intelligence because we are busy trying to protect ourselves from our own fearful imaginings. And if the object of our projected fear is sensitive to it, the outcome may indeed prove self fulfilling. 

The  Zen story of the blind committee members each examining a portion of an elephant and coming to very different conclusions as to the nature of the beast further illustrates how thinking that we understand something limits our ability to truly understand it. The "been there, done that" concept of believing we can know the bigger picture from our small piece of limited experience leaves us with a conception of reality that is not accurate in terms of the whole picture. Cultivating Beginner's Mind can encourage us to open our awareness and allow the experience of the present moment without trying to fit it into the box of the past.

When we recognize that our ego mind has taken charge of a situation we can then choose to inhibit those limiting thoughts and  redirect our spirit to expand awareness, to inquiry and exploration instead of knowing and being right. If we ask questions and listen to the answers with curiosity and appreciation, we can explore the different points of view held by others in the situation. In the example above, we could put ourselves in the shoes of the horse and imagine his perspective. In a conflict with a friend, we could become willing to see things through their eyes for a few moments. We could even think about the thoughts of an impartial observer to stretch our awareness and options. Instead of trying to confirm what we already think we know, we can become curious about new and different experience. We can choose to become willing to empty our cup to make room for new information.

In the words of the Zen master Shunryu Suzuki, "In the beginners mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." One of my teachers used to say the same thing another way: "If you keep on doing what you've always done, you'll keep on getting what you always got". By allowing a new viewpoint and a clearer understanding of ourselves, Beginner's Mind can transform setbacks into something positive. If we accept responsibility for our disappointments and can look at our own limitations without judging them, we can glean a clearer understanding our ourselves that allows us to create new and more desirable experiences instead of repeating the old ones. 

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While horsing around in Oregon mountains last week, I read  Whole Heart, Whole Horse by Mark Rashid and came upon an intriguing question: Which is stronger: the Grand Canyon that contains the Colorado River or the Colorado River that carved the Grand Canyon? The Colorado River is a classic symbol of power and strength, and the force of its flow created a passageway through fossilized rock. And the Grand Canyon, known for its size and unmatched scenic vistas, is a symbol of majestic and rugged beauty that contains and directs the mighty waters of the Colorado River. 

Obviously an argument can be made for either point of view depending on your perspective, which was exactly the author's point: perspective is everything.  How do you see things? What are your values, expectations, intentions? Are they the same for the person or horse you are attempting to communicate with? Which is better, this style of approach or another? To insist that my way of seeing things is the only right way is to limit my vistas and possibilities and often leads to conflict.

People bring their horses to Rashid because they cannot get them to act the way they want them to act. What this successful trainer brings to each situation is the willingness to explore different perspectives, to experiment and see what might work to change the status quo, to open hearts for resolution of behavioral conflict. There is no punishment, no correcting to the "right way" to do or be. His flow of attention is like the river, his respect for boundaries like the rock, and I was reminded of the childhood game of Rock - Paper - Scissors. Scissors cuts paper which covers rock which breaks scissors. Each has its strengths and weaknesses depending on where you stand.

So when you are feeling stuck, you might try on a new perspective. Just because your horse or child or employee or parent is not following the instructions you think you are giving, it does not necessarily mean what you think it means if you are thinking only from your own point of view. It is usually harder to find a solution without knowing what the problem is, so take time to learn the other's  perspective. Water and earth are not the same, but they were both essential in the creation of the Grand Canyon. 
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