Shoshin (Japanese:初心) is a concept fromZen Buddhism meaningbeginner'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. The term is especially used in the study ofZen Buddhism andJapanese martial arts,[1] and was popularized outside of Japan byShunryū Suzuki's 1970 bookZen Mind, Beginner's Mind.
The practice ofshoshin acts as a counter to the hubris and closed-mindedness often associated with thinking of oneself as an expert.[2] This includes theEinstellung effect, where a person becomes so accustomed to a certain way of doing things that they do not consider or acknowledge new ideas or approaches.[3] The wordshoshin is a combination ofsho (Japanese:初), meaning "beginner" or "initial", andshin (Japanese:心), meaning "mind".[4]
The concept was taught in the thirteenth century byDōgen Zenji, the founder of theSōtō Zen school of Buddhism.[4][5]: 14 Shoshin is discussed in his collected works, theShōbōgenzō.[6][7]Shoshin was popularized outside of Japan by the 1970 bookZen Mind, Beginner's Mind byShunryū Suzuki, a Zen teacher.[4] Suzuki outlines the framework behindshoshin, noting that "in the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's mind there are few"[5]: 21 which has become a popular quote when discussingshoshin.[4][8][9]
Shoshin wasuru bekarazu (or sometimes variouslyShoshin wo wasuru bekarazu[10]) is a Japanese proverb aboutshoshin coined by Japanese playwrightZeami in 1424.[11][10] The phrase is typically translated into English as some variation of "never forget the beginner's mind"[12][13] or "never forget your original intent"[10] and persists as a common proverb amongst practitioners ofBudō[13] and in Japanese business and entrepreneurship.[14] The concept ofshoshin is seen in works such as the eighteenth century bookBudôshoshinshû byDaidōji Yūzan, which is a collection of works aboutBushidō and the warrior class inTokugawa-period Japan.[15] The wordshoshin within the title refers to the concept of the beginner's mind.[12]
The concept ofshoshin is used in the art ofJapanese calligraphy in the context of Zen, where each stroke is made as though the calligrapher were a beginner to the art.[5]: 14 In Japanese calligraphyshoshin is not an aesthetic choice, but rather a state of mind of the practitioner, one that addresses and counters the paradox within calligraphy where the more one practices, the more the quality of the calligraphy may suffer.[16]
Shoshin is described as the first of the states of mind or stages ofBudō.[17]Shoshin (beginner's mind) is followed byMushin (empty mind),Fudōshin (immovable mind), andZanshin (remaining mind).[18] A fifth state is sometimes also added asSenshin (enlightened mind).[19] InBudō the practitioner is advised to retainshoshin throughout their training and practice of the martial arts; it is not reserved only for those beginning to practice but is maintained even when reaching the higher levels of mastery.[17]Shoshin-sha is a term used in martial arts to indicate a novice.[12]
Shoshin is an influence on theJapanese Metabolism style of architecture, which incorporates concepts from Zen Buddhism and other Asian philosophical traditions into the architectural process and allows those concepts to help shape the design process.[20] Many businesses and people who work in the field of business have adopted or advocate for practicing the concept ofshoshin in the business environment,[21][8][9] including top executives such asApple Inc.'s founder and CEOSteve Jobs, andSalesforce CEOMarc Benioff.[22] It is also used or proposed as a way of general living[23] or a way to approach specific fields of life includingsocial work,[24] medical care,[25] teaching,[26] computer programming,[27] gardening,[28] sports,[29] and dealing with chronic diseases such asphenylketonuria.[30]
^Skillicorn, Nick (December 14, 2021)."Shoshin: The Beginner's Mind".IdeaToValue.com.Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. RetrievedSeptember 11, 2022.
^Soule, Jennifer (2014)."Beginner's Mind".Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping.13 (2):50–55.Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. RetrievedSeptember 12, 2022.
^Murphy, Brian (February 25, 2021)."Shoshin and Phenylketonuria".Phenylketonuria News.Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. RetrievedSeptember 11, 2022.
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