Cultivating the tai chi form is like going through a series of windows. Initially, the window opening is quite large. As I learn how to go through the opening, my body changes, there is a feeling of accomplishment, and then a smaller window presents itself, a sinking feeling that the accomplishment may be significant but not as real as I had thought. Something new is being experienced, a sense of wonder about a new bodymind experience, and the process begins again. If I am ready and open,the tai chi practice returns me to the beginner’s mind -- a Zen gift.
Beginner's Mind
Beginner's mind is Zen practice in action. It is the mind that is innocent of preconceptions and expectations, judgements and prejudices. Beginner's mind is just present to explore and observe and see "things as-they-are." I think of beginner's mind as the mind that faces life like a small child, full of curiosity and wonder and amazement. "I wonder what this is? I wonder what that is? I wonder what this means?" Without approaching things with a fixed point of view or a prior judgement, just asking "what is it?" Abbess Zenkei Blanche Hartman
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