“Peace of Mind” Is a Contradiction in Terms Meditation 43 of 52
“Beginner’s mind” is
actually someone who’s not in their mind at all! They are people
who can immediately experience the naked moment apart from filtering it through
any mental categories. Such women and men are capable of simple presence to what is right in front of
them without “thinking” about it too much. This must be what Jesus means by
little children already being in the kingdom of God (Matthew 18:3-4).
They don’t think much, they just experience the moment—good and bad.
That teaching alone should have told us that Christianity was not supposed to
be about believing doctrines and moralities. Children do not believe theologies
or strive for moral certitudes. They respond vulnerably and openly to what is
offered them moment by moment. This is pure presence, and is frankly much more
demanding than securing ourselves with our judgments.
Presence cannot be easily defined.
Presence can only be experienced. But
I know this: True
presence to someone or something allows them or it to change me and influence
me—before I try to change them or it!
Beginner’s mind is pure presence to
each moment before I label it, critique it, categorize it, exclude it, or judge
it up or down. That is a whole new way of thinking and living. It is the only
mind that has the power to actually reform religion.
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