The Zen tradition—with zazen meditation at its heart—balances mundane and surprising techniques of working with the mind. There is practical instruction to engage mindfully with ordinary life—to “chop wood, carry water”—alongside koan practice designed to go beyond logic and open the mind—”What is the sound of one hand clapping?” This seemingly paradoxical perspective opens up space for what is referred to as “zen mind, beginner’s mind,” describing an outlook that is open and curious, free from fixed expectations. With a “beginner’s mind” perspective, we can engage with the world by letting it come to us “just so,” without resistance and preconceptions. This open approach gives rise to boundless creativity—creativity that’s connected to the world as it actually is. When you meet the world in this way, humbly, curiously, open to “not knowing,” intuition aligns with spontaneity, and the world becomes fresh and workable.

This attitude toward the world brings a kind of lightness of mind and outlook with it—an antidote to the heavy fixation we often have, which comes from attachment to our preconceptions and ideas of how things are. As Shunryu Suzuki Roshi said: “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s, there are few.” Beginners—anyone who comes to a new situation with an open, curious mind, uncluttered and able to see “what is”—can do all kinds of wonderful, awe-inspiring things—including, above all, leading a life of compassion, contentment, and joy.

Play is not restricted to children. Enjoying playful activities for fun, and bringing a playful attitude to life—even to life’s problems—can bring relaxation, and encourage creativity and joy. Being playful can enrich your life and make living much more fun for you and those around you.

Compare the feelings in the body of being in a state of worry about how to do something versus maintaining a playful attitude. Reflect on an experience of attempting something totally new with fresh curiosity, and finding natural delight in the process.

• What is your sense of self like when you enter an unfamiliar situation?
• When you are surprised?
• Think of a time when you felt certain of something and discovered it was not so—what did that teach you?

Analyze the relationship between “beginner’s mind” and insight as taught in Zen Buddhism; evaluate how cultivating awe and wonder supports openness to learning; and find natural delight in everyday things. Maintain childlike wonder and curiosity.