Adopt “Beginner’s Mind” when Writing

By Terrie Leigh Relf

"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's there are few."

--Suzuki Roshi, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind

Whether you’re a “new” or a more experienced writer—even a so-called “expert writer,” you’ve probably made more than a few New Year’s resolutions that relate to writing.  These short and long-term goals may include the following: a renewed daily writing regimen; facilitating a regular weekend writing bash; creating a workshop series; attending a writing conference (e.g., such as the Southern California Writers Conference http://www.writersconference.com); attending a series of readings or open mics; or spending more time in cafes with intriguing people.

Perhaps you’re already meeting your daily goals, and want to push the margins further.  Sometimes these goals are more reasonable than others. For example, writing a novel in a month is reasonable when you have the assistance of Chris Baty and the NaNoWriMo to support your efforts (http://www.nanowrimo.org/). Revising it with what’s left of your vacation may not be as reasonable…

As writers, we are dedicated. Sometimes, however, even the proverbial “best of us” procrastinate and/or listen a bit to that inner editor (AKA ego) who is occasionally in a bad mood. One moment our supposed “friend” tells us we’re sure to win the Pulitzer, while less than five minutes later it informs us (cackling like a demon, of course), that we might as well spend our time combing the administrative assistant want ads.

Of course there are long stretches of time when we’re “in the zone.” Isn’t that a wondrous feeling? While some writers are in that zone the moment they start typing or writing on their yellow legal pads, others have difficulty getting started.

Have you considered the possibility that each moment we write is an opportunity to begin anew? We can just “be there” with the computer screen, the legal pad and pen, allow our minds to flow onto the page. We don’t have to sit with preconceived notions, undue pressure, or the many voices of our internal editor’s coaching to tell us what to do, how to be, and so forth. It’s an opportunity to effortlessly expand our awareness through observing the mind “as it is” in that moment. It is also an opportunity to approach a story with the “what-if’s,” to reconnect with that wide-eyed curiosity that may have inspired us to write in the first place. 

When you adopt the attitude of beginner’s mind, you are more open, aren’t you? It’s exciting, isn’t it, to invite a fresh approach, a new way of visioning—or re-visioning an existing or new project?

This is not to say that we shouldn’t have writing goals. It’s to say that maybe we’re holding our body/mind too tight by attempting to plot that entire novel before we begin to write it. When we work everything out ahead of time, is there still space for surprises, for an auspicious coincidence, for serendipity? Chris Baty, the NaNoWriMo camp leader, says it clearly in the title of his book:  No Plot, No Problem. 

Go ahead…do it now. Every moment or every day is an opportunity to welcome and experience beginner’s mind. Sit down and just write without worrying about where the novel or story or poem or article is going.

Enjoy the process…and yes, you do get to revise!

Despite years of practice, Terrie Leigh Relf continues to focus on “perfecting” beginner’s mind. She is a Kung-fu-practicing Buddhist, writer, editor, and writing-coach living in San Diego, CA. She is available for workshops, coaching, content provision and other beginner’s mind-oriented tasks. Please contact her at:  tlrelf@cox.net or (619)234-0763.