Feeling overwhelmed right now? Not surprising. The world is chaotic, there are so many BIG things happening for all of humanity…it can feel like the end of the world.
“If the sun is collapsing or a band of giant meteors is heading our way, we have no power to prevent it. But we do have the power to create catastrophe. If we listen to doomsday discourses and prophecies and live in fear, the world may well come to an end. Why? Because belief, intention, collective consciousness, rumor, and propaganda have amazing power. If we fail to do anything constructive and instead spend our time discussing apocalyptic calamities, we will make big trouble for our fellow beings and for ourselves.” (Pandit Rajmani Tiunait)
So what can we do with all the heaviness and noise? What do we do with the grief of loss; loss of lives, loss of clarity, loss of empathy, loss of the TODAY we had planned and hoped for?
One option could be to cultivate a “beginner’s mind.” This concept from Zen Buddhism’s shoshin and Shunryu Suzuki’s Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind is not just something you practice when you’re learning something. It is a way of letting go of our expectations and preconceived ideas about something (like what today is supposed to be like or how humans should treat each other). The beginner’s mind is in discovery mode – curious about what is, exactly as it is in this moment. This is not easy. It takes practice to shift away from years of training.
How to Practice
Beginner’s mind is what we practice in meditation. This is the practice of paying attention - right here, right now, just being in the moment. See it with fresh eyes.
Find a place to sit upright comfortably in a quiet place.
Set a timer for the amount of time you want to practice. (Remember that even a few minutes can start to get your brain shifting.)
Pay attention to your body, then your breath, trying to see them clearly and freshly. (It may help to start noticing/focusing on one thing.)
Let your awareness-ing be open, try not to hold onto any one observation. Imaging the images and sensations you become aware of washing over you like water in the shower – you don’t have to hold the water.
As you find yourself distracted - when you notice yourself having preconceived ideas, wandering from the present moment, thinking you know how it will be – acknowledge the habits of your mind and consciously redirect your attention to the present moment.
Repeat the last few steps, over and over. See the thoughts and fantasies, empty yourself and see what’s actually there with fresh eyes.
You can also practice when you are doing different tasks. Try it when from brushing your teeth or washing the dishes or driving.
You can apply this practice whenever you interact with another human being. Make a conscious effort to let go of any ideas of how they should be. Open your mind and awareness to see them just as they are in this moment. Cultivate a place of love and compassion for their human struggles. (It can be especially difficult when you have negative expectations!!) Try this same practice for yourself, with your own internal judgements and expectations of where you should be.
It’s not easy, but this is the practice. The beginner’s mind is always practicing! Do it with a smile, and with love, with fresh eyes and gratitude for the only universe we’ll ever get — the actual one in front of us.