The Beginner’s Mind: Building Strong Foundations

In our fast-paced world, we all love immediate gratification, and want to learn new skills quickly and easily. But what if the key to real growth lies not in speed, but in embracing what’s known as “beginner’s mind”?

Beginner’s mind is a mindset that can transform how we approach any new skill, challenge, or familiar task. It’s about staying open, curious, and excited about the learning journey—even when it feels messy or frustrating.

For a great part of my life, I resisted this idea. I wanted results instantly. When I struggled, I’d get upset, and the last thing I wanted was to go through all the "necessary steps."

I wanted to be like Neo in *The Matrix*—plug in, download the knowledge, and BOOM: “I know Kung Fu!” But as I learned, real growth doesn’t happen in a single moment; it’s a process that requires us to set aside our egos and embrace a more open, beginner’s mindset.

The Learning Process: Letting Go of “Mastery-Now” Thinking

When I was younger (and far less wise), my ego wanted to skip the learning curve and jump straight to mastery. But in rushing, I missed out on the unique experiences that come with being a beginner—the space where confusion meets curiosity, and where real growth takes place.

Learning isn’t about being a giant PacMan, gobbling up all obstacles in our path without stopping to take in the details. When we do that, we miss the beauty and fun that come with discovering each little piece of the journey. When we’re beginners, we might feel awkward or overwhelmed, but we also experience curiosity, excitement, and the joy of celebrating every small step forward.

Why Beginner’s Mind Matters—Even for the Experienced

Beginner’s mind isn’t just about starting from scratch; it’s a mindset we carry with us, no matter how advanced we become. Shunryu Suzuki’s words in *Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind* explain this perfectly: “In the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind, there are few.”

As we get good at something, our brain saves energy by sticking to familiar patterns. But when we stay open, we can experience even our familiar skills through a new lens, catching subtleties we missed before.

I see this inside Yogi Flight School with my arm balance students all the time, especially those with a few poses under their belt. They say, “I already know this; I don’t need to go back to the foundations.” But those who return to the basics with a beginner’s mind often unlock a new level of understanding.

My heart lights up when a student, after years of practicing crow or headstand, tells me, “I’ve never seen an approach like this.” Embracing the beginner’s mind lets them uncover fresh insights that deepen their practice.

Put away the “been there, done that” mindset.

So much of our growth, success, and possibilities come from adopting a beginner’s mind. And the best part? We don’t have to expect big revelations every time. The secret is to expect nothing at all. Empty your mind of what you think you know, and open yourself to the possibility that the path to mastery isn’t linear. It’s a labyrinth filled with surprising discoveries.

Instead of rushing through details, let’s approach them with curiosity. There’s a whole world of things we don’t know, and we’ll never discover them unless we leave space in our minds for them.

That’s the magic of the beginner’s mind: staying open to all the knowledge we don’t yet know we’re missing.

What is one area where you can embrace a beginner’s mindset?

If you’re ready to discover all the things you don’t yet know about arm balances, grab my Free Training HERE!