Today we’ve reached the end of the four-week exploration of kōans. This week’s short story is about Nan-in, a Zen master during the Meiji era (1868–1912) taken from the book ‘Zen Flesh, Zen Bones’ compiled by Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki.
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?”
To me, this kōan is like a splash of cold water on a just awakened, and still covered in a sleepy dust face. With just one question, Nan-in points directly to the very essence of the professor’s enquiry, while highlighting his ignorance and the value in cultivating the beginner’s mind.
Shoshin (jp. 初心), which translates as “the beginner’s heart”, popularly known as the “beginner’s mind”, is a combination of two kanji: sho (初), meaning “to begin”, and the second kanji, shin (心), meaning “heart”, “mind” or “spirit”.
Shoshin describes a state of mind free of preconceptions (especially when studying). It’s a quality of openness and curiosity which is cultivated despite one’s advanced levels of understanding.
It’s thanks to shoshin that Zen students continue their growth not through clinging to presumptuous ways of knowing but rather through fostering a sense of discovery; an attitude that allows the practice of not-knowing.
So here is something for you to ponder…
When was the last time your assumptions prevented you from learning something new?
How can we cultivate beginner’s mind in the areas we already are “experts”in?
Does not knowing feel liberating or uncomfortable to you?
In what ways do preconceptions shape your daily routine?
Announcement
I’ve been holding this container since November last year without taking a break. After some thinking, I decided that we are going to take time off from practice and inquiry during August. We’ve been studying and practicing together for many months; integration and having some spaciousness feels like a good idea.
This means I will be pausing all paid subscriptions for one month. We will resume our LIVE dharma talk + practice on Tuesday 1st September at 7pm UK time. Please vote for the new September theme here. I updated a whole new list of suggestions, and I think we have some real gems there for us to explore :-)
Wishing you a nourishing and restful month ahead. Really looking forward to seeing you all in September.
With care + gratitude<3
Kasia
