338. Beginner’s Mind: How to Practice

Beginner’s Mind: How to Practice By Leo Babauta Beginner’s mind is what we practice in meditation. Instead of sitting in meditation and thinking you know what your breath will be like, or the present moment in front of you will be like … you pay attention. See it with fresh eyes. Drop your preconceived ideas and just look clearly at what’s in front of you. A daily meditation practice is extremely useful in developing this beginner’s mind. Here’s how to practice: Sit comfortably and upright in a quiet place. Pay attention to your body, then your breath, trying to see them clearly and freshly. When you notice yourself having preconceived ideas, wandering from the present moment, thinking you know how it will be … just notice that. See if you can drop the ideas and thoughts and fantasies and stories that are filling up your head. Empty yourself so you can see what’s actually in front of you. See what your breath is actually like, right now, instead of what you think it will be or what you’re thinking about. 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 practice this right now, with whatever is in front of you. With how your body feels, how your breath feels, whatever else is around you. You can practice whenever you do any activity, from brushing your teeth to washing the dishes to walking and driving and working out and using your phone. You can practice whenever you talk to another human being, dropping your ideas of how they should be and instead emptying your mind and seeing them as they are. Notice their good heart, their difficulties, and be grateful for them as they are. Love them for who they are and find compassion for their struggles. This is the practice. 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.