The Gift of The Beginner’s Mind
- Brainz Magazine
- 4 hours ago
- 15 min read
Fabio da Silva Fernandes knows what it's like to stumble. In 2021, he left his long career in the fintech industry to start his own wellness practice focused on mindfulness and Reiki, and now he explores the complex topic of resilience on his inspiring podcast called The Stumbling Spirit.
The beginners mind is a Zen Buddhist concept related to approaching life from the perspective of openness, curiosity, and compassion. As we begin a new year of intention setting, perhaps this is a quality that we can invite into our lives given the widespread weltschmerz and divisive sociopolitical climate. This is an opportunity for us to experience our daily lives through a fresh lens with the understanding that our worldview is limited by our current awareness. Since our state of being is in constant flux or impermanence, our viewpoints are bound to change over time. However, this requires both humility and receptivity to learn things anew and the recognition that we do not have all of the answers. So how can we harness the gift of the beginner’s mind? One pathway is to glean from those who do it best, scientists, journalists, artists, mystics and children.
The beginner’s mind
As per Wikipedia, Shoshin is the Japanese term for beginner’s mind in Zen Buddhism. In my opinion, it is hard to attain given the lifetime of knowledge, wisdom and expertise acquired from our unique lived experiences, education and careers. It requires meeting each moment with newness and unfamiliarity to expand our present awareness. This attitude encourages an unquenchable thirst to learn and a ceaseless curiosity to see myriad dimensions of a given topic. Openness is the key to embodying a beginner’s mind.
According to Midwest Alliance for Mindfulness, “Beginner’s mind is an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when approaching a person or a situation. It’s a useful strategy for practicing applied mindfulness and staying connected to the present moment when anxiety drags us into “what if” and future-based thinking… It consists of the willingness to set aside our stereotypes, assumptions, and learning histories in favour of approaching a person or situation with a child-like sense of wonder. Beginner’s mind encourages us to ask questions and engage with the environment from a perspective of curiosity rather than indulging preconceived ideas, being a teachable spirit rather than engaging in defensiveness.”
Conversely, when we are rigid and intransigent, it can cause stress, anxiety and unhappiness because we are continually fighting for control of ourselves and the world around us, which is impossible. Rigidity expends precious energy in containing our reality and convincing others of the righteousness of our position. It can also lead to potentially making uninformed and detrimental decisions. In extreme cases, rigidity can cause embitterment and social isolation. This is supported by a Sydney Morning Herald article, which quotes experts like psychologist Lucy Archinal-Hudson, who say that “Rigid thinkers may struggle to consider alternative explanations that don’t match their expectations, or see the shades of grey in a situation,” and “They often have very strict internal beliefs or rules about themselves and the world – which usually lead to negative feelings – and impact their behaviour or actions.” In the same piece, psychotherapist Eugenie Pepper says that stress and trauma can induce rigidity as a form of protection, “and when someone is anxious or depressed, their thinking can narrow, become inflexible and negative. It is the brain’s threat system saying ‘stick to what feels safe’.” The article also says that some people are more prone to rigidity such as perfectionists and those who are neurodivergent.
Letting go of this limiting attitude may be challenging yet freeing and can help us become more joyful and compassionate. Furthermore, this open approach allows for adaptability and a growth mindset to emerge, without which limits our capacity to develop ourselves and be innovative.
The term growth mindset was first coined by renowned psychologist and bestselling author Carol Dweck. As per Psychology Today, growth mindset “is the belief that a person's capacities and talents can be improved over time.” The article explains that people with a growth mindset are confident in their ability to continually learn and develop through hard work, dedication and adversity.
As reported by Forbes, Professor Carola Salvi, lead author of a 2023 scientific study on the connection between social rigidity and cognitive flexibility, says that “We find that people who are good problem-solvers, are also open-minded when they have to reason on social issues. We can see the reflection of people’s flexible thinking in a variety of applications. For example, when we are looking for a solution to a math problem, but also when we reason on social issues.” The study referenced in the Forbes article found that “there’s a possible connection between cognitive rigidity and a deeper socio-cognitive framework, indicating that individuals with higher levels of social rigidity are more prone to cognitive rigidity as well.” The findings also show that “overclaiming, which is the tendency to claim to know something that actually does not exist, is associated with self-enhancement and can contribute to cognitive rigidity,” resulting in the possibility of holding extremist idealogical stances without any real evidence.
Related article: What We've Gotten Wrong About Resilience
Approach life as a scientist
Scientists are curious by nature in that they question and test everything including their own experiments and theories. As a part of standard best practices, they regularly open up their research to peer review, feedback and criticism. Generally speaking, scientists are unafraid to go back to the drawing board to approach their research from other angles. I would argue that besides openness, the overarching qualities that allow scientists and thinkers alike to explore different dimensions of a given problem are humility and curiosity. All of these attributes contribute to the beginner’s mind.
According to TESS Research Foundation, thinking more like a scientist involves the following steps:
Ask a question
Do background research
Form a hypothesis
Design and conduct experiments and collect data
Analysis
Make a conclusion
Repeat
Share what you find
In daily life, it might not be practical to design and conduct experiments but perhaps we can collect more data from various sources and ask more questions about the information we are consuming on social media and mainstream news outlets.
Leveraging this scientific method can be beneficial because it ensures utmost care, scrutiny and accountability with our own positions, words and actions.
Related article: The Miracles That Power Resilience
Approach life as a journalist
In journalistic circles, there is a tried and true method in reporting news stories called the 5 W’s, which are Who, What, When, Where and Why. Unfortunately in this age of doom scrolling on social media feeds and the rampant consumption of opinion commentary from podcasters and mainstream media, the integrity of investigative journalism is quite bleak. This is due to the constant stream of misinformation and disinformation which has overtaken it and is underscored by some mass media companies choosing to capitulate to the authoritarian US administration by clamping down on journalism in order to serve their business interests. That said, the core principles of fact finding and news reporting still remain true for hard-nosed journalists.
The modus operandi of a true journalist is to do research, verify facts and always question their personal biases to get to the truth, despite their own beliefs.
According to Forbes, in order to see the world as a journalist, it is essential to do the following:
Focus on what is new
Look for the superlative
Deal in facts and stats, not opinions
Be different from your competitors
Be quotable
Be accessible
Be honest
The article stresses that it is vital to continually be informed and says that “News is about what is new. Thinking like a journalist requires you to be constantly on the lookout for information about what has not happened before. This is where being naturally curious and a voracious reader comes in handy, because you can’t know what is new unless you are well versed in what has happened before.”
What also stands out for me is to always deal in facts and stats, not opinions, and the importance of being honest.
Related article: The Best Myth - Why Bestness Is The Death Of Excellence
Approach life as an artist
According to The Guardian, there is a laundry list of tips to live life more as an artist, but the recommendations below are the ones that resonated the most with me:
It’s never too late to create
Understand the importance of looking
Keep an ideas notebook or sketchbook
Take inspiration from others but know when to look away
Learn about the history of art
Consume other culture too
Use mistakes to your advantage
Learn to love your own company
Do something creative every day
Talk to strangers
Be creative without realizing
Within this article, artist Helen Cammock says that “It is important to keep challenging ourselves by trying new things. ‘The older we get as adults, the less we feel comfortable taking risks. If we think about the kinds of things we did when we were children and tested out when we were teenagers, somehow it gets squeezed out of you and risk-taking is not a space that you can inhabit. There is something about enabling yourself to try things and not have expectations about what you will produce.’”
Related article: Resilience vs. Survival - How Do They Differ?
Approach life as a mystic
Mysticism is about exploring our internal spiritual world and how it connects us to the Divine, God, Source and all creation.
Although individual mystical journeys are unique, there are parallels between people on the spiritual path to enlightenment. Fundamentally, mystics are in a continual and intentional quest to realize their non-dual nature and oneness with the Divine. It is a tangible yet ineffable inner knowing and wisdom that emerges through deep spiritual practice and, in some cases, paranormal experiences.
Many mystics from the past have achieved this state through silence, prayer, meditation and contemplation.
According to Brittanica, “When mystics make claims about extrasensory dimensions of reality, they are making the same type of claim as do physical scientists when they cite the laws of physics or psychologists when they posit emotional complexes that govern healthy and morbid responses to events. They are not speaking of the magical, mythological, or otherworldly, they are attempting to speak, however well or inaccurately, of aspects of the world of sense perception that are not perceptible to the senses. During mystical experiences, extrasensory phenomena are said to be directly perceived, whether by the soul, the mind, the imagination, or some other faculty. The phenomena that mystics encounter may be impersonal, e.g., a unifying principle, structure, process, law, or force, or personal, e.g., ghosts, spirits, angels, demons, or gods or revelations derived from such personal beings. The inclusion of both impersonal and personal phenomena within the extrasensory is reflected in the medieval description of the extrasensory as “spiritual,” a usage that is reflected in the meaning of the German word Geist (“intellect” or “spirit”).”
Several mystics of the past have given us guide posts to achieve enlightenment, such as the Buddha with The Noble Eightfold Path, St. Teresa of Avila with the seven mansions of The Interior Castle, and St. John of the Cross with his exposition on the Dark Night of the Soul.
But practically speaking, what does it mean for the everyday person who might not be interested in mysticism and enlightenment per se?
I think it starts with intentionally looking inward, connecting with ourselves, taking the necessary time to be introspective, reflective and responsive to life rather than being reactive to it. Ultimately, it is about knowing and honouring who we truly are, because sometimes we can forget our essence in the rat race of life.
From time to time, we might need a vehicle to help us connect more deeply within ourselves such as alone time, immersing in nature and traveling to far off places. As per National Geographic, “In a world grappling with disconnection and digital overload, there has been a steady rise in spiritual tourism and pilgrimages. People are turning to sacred places not just to see the history, but to experience something bigger than themselves.”
Mysticism and intuition are very much linked to discernment of what resonates within our senses to be true. As per PositivePsychology.com, “Intuition is the ability to understand or know something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning.” The article explains that while beneficial, intuition is not always accurate and relies on our instinct to instantly determine what is right and wrong and suss out people and situations. Intuition permeates every facet of our lives be it at home or work, in every interaction with friends and strangers, and in our personal choices. The piece also states that what we sometimes perceive as intuition can be influenced by our past experiences. In other words, while intuition is necessary and ensures our survival, it is important to discern what is intuition versus bias and judgement. That said, intuition is innate to everyone and it is something we can further cultivate.
While some people are more naturally intuitive than others, CNBC says that there are ways for us to harness our intuition such as paying attention and listening to our inner voice, practising empathy and mindfulness, nurturing our creativity and analyzing our dreams.
Regardless of the mystical approach we might take, the point is to have a more authentic relationship with ourselves and the world around us which is grounded in our true nature.
Related article: The Best Myth - Why Bestness is the Death of Excellence?
Approach life as a child
According to National Library of Medicine, wonder is a key ingredient that children innately embody which can fade over time as we age. The article explains that “Not only is the idea of wonder as old as Greek philosophy, it is also a universal phenomenon, well-known by any parent. Why is it not raining upwards? Why is the moon round and not square? Children have asked these questions since the beginning of time. When children ask these questions, they might not be demanding an answer. Rather, they might be wondering in the face of reality. They are wondering because it rains downwards and because the moon is round. When children ask these questions, they are, as Plato and Aristotle suggested, philosophizing.”
Wonder and asking questions are very much connected to learning new things. It seems like children are sponges for knowledge and retaining information. They are also masters of imagination and play.
In Success Magazine, global futurist, business speaker and best-selling author, Jack Uldrich, says that “play is an integral form of learning,” and further adds that it can help us “devise new solutions for old problems and create new endings for our experiences.” He offers suggestions on how to reintroduce play into our lives such as learning a new instrument, reading up on different subjects and genres, and picking up a new sport or hobby. The article further states that play has the added benefits of reducing stress and boosting overall wellness.
Related article: Why Courage Is Vital To Resilience
Stories to test your beginner’s mind
Here is a list of interviews from my podcast that might challenge your worldview and help you flex your beginner’s mind.
1. Young minds
Heidi Bornstein is one of the founders of Mindfulness Everyday - a Toronto-based organization offering accessible and practical mindfulness education to improve the wellbeing of her local community. A key focus for Heidi and her team of trainers is to deliver effective mindfulness curriculum to youth who are in dire need of support in these uncertain and divisive times. Heidi explains why mindfulness is needed more than ever to address the unique challenges of today.
2. Authentic wholeness
Fleurian Maxton is an author, educator and holistic practitioner who cultivates wellness for themselves and others through Reiki and mantra chanting. Fleurian is also my first Reiki teacher. In this episode, we discuss the mystical energy of Reiki, the search for wholeness, and the importance of Pride to the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
3. Existential awe
Psychedelic Therapy involves the use of mind-altering drugs, such as psilocybin, to help those who suffer from mental health conditions like depression and addiction. Dr. Dave Bradley has focused his research on exploring contemplative and psychedelic-assisted approaches to help patients within palliative care settings. Based in Scotland, Dave opens up about his journey to becoming both a palliative care doctor and mindfulness practitioner, and he offers key insights about improving the lives of those who are approaching death.
4. Fountain of youth
For more than 12 years, naturopathic doctor, Eric Wood has served patients in his private practice utilizing holistic approaches to treat various conditions from chronic fatigue to cancer. Eric has written several books including, “Longevity Secrets - How to Grow Younger at Any Age.” In this episode, we talk about the fountain of youth and Eric’s journey to becoming a healthcare provider.
5. Moving into balance
Darryl Tracy is an accomplished physiotherapist of over 35 years. His focus is on rehabilitating patients with neurological injuries and disorders such as stroke, spinal cord damage, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s. Not only does Darryl help others improve their mobility, but he has an intimate understanding of the range of possibilities in bodily movement as an award-winning professional dancer and choreographer. In our conversation, Darryl opens up about his eclectic career and talks about the resilience of the human body.
6. Spirit counselling
Renowned psychic-medium, Jackie Dennison, is one-half of the clairvoyant duo from the popular Canadian paranormal show, “Rescue Mediums.” For 7 seasons, Jackie and her partner-in-crime visited haunted houses to bring peace to both homeowners and lingering spirits. Rescue Mediums was a part of the first wave of psychic-medium reality shows which now seem commonplace. In this episode, Jackie explains why souls hang back, offers tips on developing our own spiritual gifts, and she talks about the impact and legacy of her groundbreaking show.
7. Clearing karmic debts
Born in communist Hungary, Edit B. Kiss grew up at a time when spiritual expression was suppressed. As a young woman, Edit did what was expected - she went to university, got her engineering degree and started a family. However, during this period, she also battled crippling anxiety and panic attacks. This all-time low set her on a path of spiritual growth and wellness, including healing her ancestral karma. Today, Edit practices Source Memory Healing to help others mend their karmic wounds. In this engaging conversation, she explains why clearing our karmic debts has a powerful ripple effect that extends beyond ourselves and encompasses our entire soul family.
8. Divining stars and cards
Since ancient times, astrologers have studied the stars and planetary cycles to offer celestial explanations for earthly events, energy shifts and life circumstances of the past, present, and future. Tarot card reading is another form of divination which came into prominence in the 18th century. Today, if you scroll through your social media feeds, chances are you have seen a multitude of content creators who have combined both of these esoteric practices to guide you through life’s ups and downs based on your zodiac sign. Alysa Reese is an expert on both of these systems of divination with three decades of experience as a Western Astrologer and Master Tarot Reader and Teacher. In this episode, Alysa demystifies the art of divination and gives us a tutorial on the stars and cards.
9. Art of energy flow
Qi is the universal life force. It is the cosmic energy that flows through all things. This concept is present in several Asian holistic modalities including Feng Shui. With origins in China, this ancient divination practice dates as far back as 4000 BCE and is still in use today. Drawing upon elements of the natural and celestial realms, Feng Shui is said to influence the flow of energy in our physical world to clear out blockages, restore harmony and balance, and, enhance wellbeing and good fortune. As a Professional Feng Shui Master and Teacher, Leigh Whiting is an expert in this complex art of energy flow and in our fascinating discussion, she talks about how we can use Feng Shui to our advantage.
10. Sparking enlightenment
For mystics the world over, the path to oneness with the Creator is often solitary, fraught with suffering and blessed with divine ecstasy and revelatory truths. Stephen D’amico is no different. Stephen is a self-described guru who, through a series of supernatural events and spiritual self-realizations, has attained a permanent state of enlightenment. Not only does Stephen believe that enlightenment is achievable for each of us, but that humanity will collectively awaken in this lifetime. In this episode, Stephen discusses his mystical experiences, spiritual books and positive message.
Stretching our limits of understanding
As mentioned, the beginner’s mind is not an easy state to attain or sustain over a lifetime. However, if we are self-aware of our own limitations, we can introduce qualities and practices of the beginner’s mind from those people who do it best. This will allow us to become more open and flexible towards different ideas and other ways of being in this world. Not only will this approach stretch our current understanding of ourselves and life in general, but it will also help to enhance our compassion for others.
It does not necessarily mean that our perspectives will change per se, but it is a pathway to learning about other lived experiences and understanding varying points of view.
In this age of ideological gridlock, perhaps our collective exhaustion might lead us to being more receptive to listen and improve dialogue. However, I think it is better for us to take a proactive stance in this matter. After all, we are each accountable for how we show up for ourselves, the world and each other.
To learn more, book me for a talk and consultation today. To listen to The Stumbling Spirit Podcast, click here or you can find my show on your favourite podcast streaming platform.
Read more from Fabio da Silva Fernandes
Fabio da Silva Fernandes, Resilience, Mindfulness, and Reiki Enthusiast
For most of his professional career, Fabio da Silva Fernandes worked in the tech industry as a customer support leader. About a decade ago, Fabio began his mindfulness journey, incorporating the practice of presence into his life on a regular basis. In his pursuit of personal wellness, Fabio attained several mindfulness certifications and, in 2018, delved into the world of energy work and started his Reiki training. Fabio is now a certified Reiki Master and Reiki Master Teacher. In 2021, Fabio left his career in fintech to launch his own wellness business called Resting Bell Wellness Inc., which is now branded under the name of his resilience podcast, The Stumbling Spirit.
