Beginner's Mind, Comentary Options

[Tangram]

“… in the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few.” Suzuki

When learning hold the beginner's mind. Parks commentary from Total Control, “A beginners mind can also be described as living in possibility as opposed to expectation. Reality has a way of shaping itself to your pre-conceived expectations don’t give it the opportunity to limit you learning by deciding you already know how to do something.”

This post has been edited by Tangram: Oct 19 2009, 10:47 AM

[RobMoore]

I expected something totally different as I read the quote.
Without your expansion below the quote, I would have understood it exactly opposite of the intent.
I thought it was going to mean something like...
"A beginner can find dozens of ways to do it wrong, the expert only knows a few ways to do it right".

This post has been edited by RobMoore: Oct 27 2009, 11:47 AM

[Tangram]

Sometimes we are so full we have difficulty learning.

Here is another story.

Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.

Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor’s cup full, and then kept on pouring.

The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. "It is overfull. No more will go in!"

"Like this cup," Nan-in said, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"