You should not lose your self-sufficient state of mind. This does not mean a closed mind, but actually an empty mind and a ready mind.
If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything; it is open to everything. In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few.
- Shunryu Suzuki (1905-1971) courtesy of dailyzen.com
“ I know what I need to do, I just don't do it”. This is a very common phrase I hear in the initial meeting with a new client. A very powerful belief that allows the individual to be trapped in a web of shame and self contempt. Therapy can make this worse by insisting there are many possibilities. We sit with this dilemma and spend our time understanding the different ways it disrupts and complicates daily life. Despair is the most powerful outcome and can have a devastating effect on an individual’s quality of life. Thoughts of suicide are not far behind, especially if there is a belief that others are suffering as a result of this constant failure. As we sit, our conversation creates a new space to explore. A space that is validating and supportive will allow the idea of a beginners mind to emerge in our shared endeavor. The many possibilities of the beginner’s mind arise in subtle ways. To shift into an active problem solving discussion obscures their presence. It's like identifying a faint star in the sky by looking to the side and seeing it in our peripheral vision. The discovery of a new experience usually happens between sessions when my client is engaged in some other activity. We celebrate these revelations and begin discussing the next steps for this new beginning. When we can step back from our self defeating beliefs our beginner’s mind is engaged. Our self sufficient state of mind resides in the periphery of our consciousness. In a loving and nurturing environment we can help each other to tap into it’s limitless possibilities.
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