Then I started thinking about doing Tahoe again. Will it be as exciting and thrilling as it was last year? Will the dinner be as inspirational? Will I raise as much money? Will I be a better rider? Will I be able to get up the switchbacks faster, do Spooner without stopping a gazillion times to take in the view? Will training be easier? Will I get bored doing the same rides as last year?
Then it hit me! Beginners Mind! I need my beginners mind! I first learned of Beginners Mind a few years ago in massage school. It made sense to me then, and perhaps it makes even more sense now.
Beginners Mind, or Shoshin (初心) is a Zen Buddhist concept, it means having an attitude or openness, an eagerness, and a lack of preconceived notions when studying a subject. Even if you are studying at an advanced level, keep your attitude open, see something, experience something as if you have never seen it or experienced it before.
Shunryu Suzuki said it best when he said: In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind there are few.
I went down to the cellar and dug out the book from massage school and started to read up on Beginners Mind. I came upon some of the following words, that really put it into perspective for me. Not only in reference to Christmas, riding Tahoe, raising money etc.. but also in reference to starting a New Year.
"So to begin, we must all empty our cups of all the preconceived ideas, concepts, techniques and methods that prevent us from receiving the new. This seems like a simple thing to do, but can be quite difficult in practice. At first we think we are emptying our cups but as we drink from the new knowledge we detect residual tastes of the "old". Sometimes this new mixture can be sweet, like adding honey to tea, but sometimes even a little residue can curdle the whole mix, like adding lemon juice to milk. We must not only empty our cups, but make sure we have a "clean receptacle" so we may taste the "true essence" of the new knowledge". Darren Hansen.
Another aspect of developing the beginners mind revolves around getting rid of the "Been There, Done That" attitude. How many times have you heard that one! Been there, done that, got the T-shirt to prove it. Really now! So, yeah, we have all been there and done that, but did you really see the big picture? Or, did you only see the pieces of the whole?
When it comes to Tahoe, I have been there. I have seen the scenery, ridden the ride. I raised the money. I was inspired and accomplished. I was touched by the number of people out in support of the LLS, and of the number of people that were there in honor or in memory of someone touched by leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. When it comes to Tahoe, I have done that. I felt my legs burn getting up the switchbacks, battled the headwind on the way out of Truckee, enjoyed the sandwich at King's Beach and slowly turned the pedals over trying to conquer Spooner and yes, had a scary flat tire on the way down the biggest 'hill' I even want to ride a bike down (thank you very much!).
Yup folks, been there, done that. So this time, I am going to go out there with my cup empty. I am letting go of what last year's ride was like. Just like this Christmas is a new Christmas. I have that clean receptacle to enjoy this Christmas for what it is, to learn and to experience it with new eyes. I will do the same with Tahoe. I plan on enjoying Tahoe 2011 for what it is, for seeing the big picture, not just the pieces of it I saw last year.I am going to ride Tahoe 2011 (Ambbr 11) with a sense of awe, and a feeling of excitement (much like this Christmas). I will learn or see something new even though I have been there and done that. And.. after my cup is full I will empty it again by drinking deeply and savoring it's wonderful taste.
Enjoy your Christmas with a Beginners Mind.
Peace (hopefully on Earth) and as always .. Tailwinds.
Karen
