Beginner's Mind
Offered by Christine Jacobi and LoriLee Villwock
Every day, we are engaged in a miracle which we don’t even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child—our own two eyes. All is a miracle. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
As the Rooted In Mindfulness community rolls out Voices, we invite you to join us as we embrace the joy of Beginner's Mind and explore the possibilities of this new and creative community-driven magazine.
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Beginner's Mind is a special way of seeing the world, free from the biases of our preferences and dislikes, often shaped by past conditioning. This spacious and unbiased perspective can allow us to approach life with freshness and openness.
Voices hopes to capture this fresh approach, reflecting the diverse and novel ways we live the Dharma. While we share a common intention to cultivate wholesome ways of living, each of us manifests this intention uniquely, and every manifestation, exactly as it arises, has merit. Contributing to Voices is not just an opportunity to share but also a chance for personal growth and exploration.
As collectors of our Sangha's stories, we aim to reassure all those who, rooted in their mindfulness practice, courageously share their experiences. We present this magazine platform with the spirit of Beginners, believing that our community members' narratives and artistic interpretations, including yours, will play a crucial role in nourishing and sustaining the spiritual connections at RIM.
Imagine a child exploring a garden—an apt analogy for embracing Beginner's Mind. Children exhibit a natural curiosity because everything they encounter feels refreshingly new. A toddler playing in a garden, caught between the decision to crawl or to walk, finds everything new and interesting. With a natural curiosity and fewer preconceived notions, a child can also find wonder in everything. A hand shovel morphs into a toy truck, a plastic pot transforms into a hat, and a dandelion becomes a tasty treat. This wondrous exploration is what Voices aims to capture.
Our approach to Voices is bold and exploratory, much like a child finding fascination in everything. This vitality, reminiscent of a child's unbridled exploration, is the essence that Voices seeks to highlight as we share our stories and the fruits of our collective practice, including your unique experiences: awakening to immeasurable compassion, loving-kindness, appreciative joy, and equanimity.
We invite you to bring along your Beginner's Mind and savor this expression of the RIM Sangha. Please consider contributing your writings, artwork, and experiences to help us all cultivate a vibrant and inclusive community magazine. Your voice is important, and we want to hear your unique ways of living the Dharma. Let's explore this garden together, with curiosity and openness, and share the unique ways we live the Dharma.