For the last two weeks of this half term, we have been exploring the concept of ‘beginners mind’.

Usually we experience life and each other through clouded eyes. We tend to pre-judge situations and other people and bring our past experiences and expectations to each moment, rather than allowing ourselves to let the present unfold and wait to see how it actually is.

We have practised beginners mind in class during passive breath awareness and movement to see if we can sense things as they are now and not how they have been or how we want them to be or don’t want them to be. To practice - try not to follow the running commentary of your mind on your experience but instead feel each movement and sensation as it arises without judgement.

Beginners mind is humble, unknowing, patient and curious. Beginners mind brings liberation from the burden of our own sense of self-importance. Imagine a young child in a sweet shop, completely present, open and absorbed in the moment.

Makes perfect sense? Try it out with your nearest and dearest, it’s harder than it sounds! Some of you have been with some wonderful results. Me? On a good day with the wind behind me  I have found adopting beginners mind opens up a whole new world!

“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s mind there are few.” Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki.