Beginner's Mind….
The expert open/beginner's mind is also important to community
where we need to listen to each other even when what is being
shared challenges us in ways that are new and/or hard. There often
is a pull to fast reaction cultivated by "group think", tradition,
momentum, and the resistance to take on a concept thoroughly.
He/she notes the feelings and rhythm of the group yet balances
that with their best thinking which they offer respectfully even when very
different than the group. When the community intentionally cultivates such
a mind in its members rich, beautiful and inspirational things happen.
I start with the assumption that an expert open/beginners mind is
more valuable to a person and a community. By expert I mean a
person who intentionally cultivates this on an ongoing basis. For
the person this has the advantage of not perceiving as much thru
habit and/or desire (perceiving thru habit/desire saves time and
reduces the cognitive load for us but has a high cost at crucial
times). Such a person asks questions and/or answers them with
an expectation that possibly there are more skills/information to be
learned and thus engages with more heart. This person is more secure with
what is not known and more skilled at error management. In the end they
are more likely to make themselves vulnerable without, oddly, feeling at
risk. This sort of stability in learning provides stamina for the proactive learner.
Learners Trek
138 Twin Oaks Rd
Louisa Va, 23093
Fax: 540 - 894-4112
Email: LearnersTrek@myrealbox.com
Web: http://www.twinoaks.org/members-exmembers/felix/learnerstrek.html