Shoshin 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.
Meditation practice is of a beginner's mind perspective inherently,
But today in this meditation we're going to very intentionally connect with the beginner's mind.
So when you're ready,
Find a comfortable seat and as you settle,
I invite you to check in with yourself and see,
Are you truly comfortable?
Or is this just your standard meditation posture?
Is there a way you could allow for more comfort?
Good.
And in a moment,
I'll invite you to take three deep,
Conscious,
Smooth breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.
But before I do,
A couple of things to notice.
Bringing a beginner's mind to the breath.
What sensations do you notice with your breath?
Think temperature,
Movement.
Pretend you are experiencing your inhale for the first time.
Breathing in awe and curiosity.
Let your next inhale deepen and expand,
Bringing in your beginner's mind to this next breath.
And then noticing if the exhale allows you to naturally release any tension in your body.
Is this something that might feel good?
How does your second deep breath feel?
Is it the same sensations as the first?
Or is it different?
And your third?
How do you feel now?
Continue to breathe deeply if that feels good for you.
Allow your breath to return to a natural rhythm here.
Explore both.
The beginner benefits from experimenting.
Notice how your body feels.
Release any expectations or preconceived ideas that meditation has to be a still practice if you're feeling called to move.
Release any expectation of how you'll continue to be guided through this.
Be open that the silences,
However long or short,
Is nothing but space to be guided.
To be curious in.
To experience your embodied awareness for however long,
With no expectations of what it will or will not bring.
Allow yourself to remove any preconceptions that you'll feel more relaxed or more open or anything different after this practice is over.
And be open to the possibility that your whole worldview could change.
Why are you here today?
What drew you to this practice today?
Are you perhaps wanting to understand yourself more deeply?
Could that be a part of the actual root of your curiosity?
To embody the beginner's mind so intentionally today?
Are you open to the possibility that there are ways you could connect to yourself that you don't even know are possible yet?
How does that make you feel?
Are any parts of you scared?
Anxious?
Excited by that thought?
Allow yourself to register the stability and the foundation of the ground or the furniture beneath you.
Really explore what gravity feels like in and around your body in this moment.
What can you sense in the space around you?
Allow yourself to let go of any preconceptions that you can't meditate when there are distractions.
Release expectations that you'll always have the perfect meditation setting,
Whatever that means to you.
Can you accept the possibility that each sensation that you label as a distraction can actually take you deeper within?
Feel into your heart space.
Don't expect to feel your heartbeat,
But explore.
What do you feel?
I invite you to start to become aware of your entire body again here.
Perhaps wiggling your fingers and toes to bring your focus back to your physical reality.
Be open to the possibility that you will come out of this meditation feeling fresh,
With more energy or more relaxation.
Whatever you need in this moment.
And as you feel ready,
Slowly blinking your eyes open,
I encourage you to listen for the readiness within.
Following your own inner wisdom of what ready means to you here.
Thank you for getting curious with me today.
And thank yourself for showing up to this practice.
