In the “beginner’s mind”, there is an openness and a readiness. This term is a Japanese expression dating back to the 13th century that describes a state of mind that is eager without constraint and has a sense of wholeness that is without limit. (1)
It is always interesting to see that small children come into the studio and immediately notice whatever small thing has changed. They do this without any effort or trying. Parents are often surprised at this noticing, and may not even remember what was there before. Shinryu Suzuki the author of Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind says:
“We just think with our whole mind, and see things as they are without any effort…If we are prepared for thinking, there is no need to make an effort to think. This is called mindfulness.” (2)
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, founder of the Suzuki Method of Teaching has said that the beginning is the most important time for the child’s education. He uses the term “beginning” to refer to the child’s age, as well as to the beginning of music study. (3)
In beginning lessons, the child is learning how to learn. The understanding and speaking of the language of music are set in motion. The ease and joy that comes through the success of small steps through careful nurturing by the parent and teacher becomes associated with the learning.
We can think of the beginning of the new school year in the same way, whether your child is in preschool, or a senior in high school.
As a teacher, I always enjoy the Fall season the most with the feeling of the fresh morning air, and the excitement of the possibilities. As a child I remember the excitement of getting a new pair of shoes at the beginning of the school year. Once I had my new shoes, I was ready to go back to school. We can use this idea of new shoes as a metaphor for our study this year.
As we set in motion the process and the structure of the study this year, and nurture along the necessary discipline to achieve skills, let’s be careful to nurture along the ease and joy of making music.
“It is the readiness of the mind that is wisdom.” (2)
(1.) Definition of the term “Beginner’s Mind”: (Shoshin-Wikipedia)
(2) Zen Mind, Beginners Mind by Shunryu Suzuki, 1970; page 115
(3) Ability Development from Age Zero, Shinichi Suzuki, 1969 -Basic Premise of whole Book
(4) Zen Mind, Beginners Mind by Shunryu Suzuki, 1970; page 113
