In Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind it demystifies some of the perceptions around Buddhism. Buddhism's purpose is not to study Buddhism but to study ourselves. We all have Buddha Nature, which you can think of like Human Nature. Zen is Awareness and practices like meditation helps us build the mindfulness to see things they are, to observe and let everything go as it goes.
The book also tries to ride the mental partner we have as see the world Dualistically, having separate and opposed divisions, like good and day. We take the view and apply it to our minds as body, when instead of Dualism, they have Duality, The Body and Mind are both two and one.
The Book is divided into three parts: Right Practice, Right Attitude, and Right Understanding, which roughly corresponds to body, feeling, and mind. I found the book more readable than Alan Watts style of writing and this book may be easier for those with no exposure to Buddhism. It's a short book, and certain parts are redundant and conflict prior statements, but I still learned from it and plan to revisit the book overtime.
Motivations to Read
I find myself forcibly pushing through my goals and ambitions and I want to find a more easeful approach towards being.
3 Reasons to Read
- How to cultivate a beginners mind to preserve curiosity and openness.
- Practical Zen wisdom.
- A softer approach to discipline.
Notable Quotes
“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few.”
When we have no thought of achievement, no thought of self, we can really learn something.”
“You do not meditate to gain enlightenment; you meditate because you are enlightened.”
“Treat every moment as your last. It is not preparation for something else.”
“Calmness of mind does not mean you should stop your activity. Real calmness should be found in activity itself. We say, "It is easy to have calmness in inactivity, it is hard to have calmness in activity, but calmness in activity is true calmness.”
“What we call "I" is just a swinging door which moves when we inhale and when we exhale.”
Notes for this book are still being transcribed.
