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April 1, 2003
The Beginner's Mind, Appearances to the Contrary
I've read Chapter 1 The Beginner's Mind of The Dancing Wu Li Masters several times. I've recommended it to friends a few times. I really enjoy this book and in particular this chapter. Even though the book is about physics--and it's a great book on physics--this chapter is of general interest.
Three quotes I really like from the chapter:
1. The importance of nonsense hardly can be overstated. The more clearly we experience something as "nonsense", the more clearly we are experiencing the boundaries of our own self-imposed cognitive structures. "Nonsense" is that which does not fit into the prearranged patterns which we have superimposed on reality. There is no such thing as "nonsense" apart from a judgemental intellect which calls it that.
2. Those scientists who establish the established lines of thought, however, are those who do not fear to venture boldly into nonsense, into that which any fool could have told them is clearly not so. This is the mark of the creative mind; in fact, this is the creative process. It is characterized by a steadfast confidence that there exists a point of view from which the "nonsense" is not nonsense at all--in fact, from which it is obvious.
3. ... those who most have felt the exhilaration of the creative process are those who best have slipped the bonds of the known to venture far into the unexplored territory which lies beyond the barrier of the obvious. This type of person has two characteristics. The first is a childlike ability to see the world as it is, and not as it appears according to what we know about it. ... The second ... is the firm confidence which ... is an expression of an inner strength which allows them to speak out, secure in the knowledge that, appearances to the contrary, it is the world that is confused and not they.
I read this chapter again yesterday. I enjoyed it much more than the last time. I plan to read it again in a month or so, to remind myself of the importance of keeping a beginner's mind.
Posted by pete at April 1, 2003 10:42 PM