Shoshin - Wikipedia
Shoshin (Japanese: 初心 ) is a concept from Zen Buddhism meaning beginner's mind. It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying, even at an advanced level, just as a beginner would. The term is especially used in the study of Zen Buddhism and Japanese martial arts,[ 1] and was popularized outside of Japan by Shunryū Suzuki's 1970 book Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind.
The practice of shoshin acts as a counter to the hubris and closed-mindedness often associated with thinking of oneself as an expert.[ 2] This includes the Einstellung effect, where a person becomes so accustomed to a certain way of doing things that they do not consider or acknowledge new ideas or approaches.[ 3] The word shoshin is a combination of sho (Japanese: 初 ), meaning "beginner" or "initial", and shin (Japanese: 心 ), meaning "mind".[ 4]
The concept was taught in the thirteenth century by Dōgen Zenji, the founder of the Sōtō Zen school of Buddhism.[ 4] [ 5] : 14 Shoshin is discussed in his collected works, the Shōbōgenzō.[ 6] [ 7] Shoshin was popularized outside of Japan by the 1970 book Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryū Suzuki, a Zen teacher.[ 4] Suzuki outlines the framework behind shoshin, noting that "in the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's mind there are few"[ 5] : 21 which has become a popular quote when discussing shoshin.[ 4] [ 8] [ 9]
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