Postmodernism is the Buddhist "Beginner's Mind"

Ancient Taoist and Zen masters wrote about something called, "beginner's mind," or translated, the Japanese word shosin. In contemporary counseling the revolution taking place is finally catching onto their ancient message. Until around the 1990's a therapist was considered expert, authority, and guide until diverse voices challenged that position, including feminist thought, multiculturalism, person-centered thought, and an emerging preventive and wellness paradigm in healthcare. These challenges were based upon (supposedly) new ideas from social constructivism that said the traditional Western notions of "truth" were rigid, egocentric, and frankly, arrogant. It said the outdated model was erroneously based upon an "absolute truth" which was simply a false construct agreed upon by dominant social groups.

[...]

The way one practices beginner's mind is to empty oneself of all thoughts (if only that were possible!). This means empty of all preconceived judgments, labels, concepts, techniques, and methods. It is a main purpose of meditation - there is still nothing better than quiet stillness to wipe the mirror clean; to free the mind, and to bring space and clarity.

Notes:

It's a philosophy that pushes people to see things as if they were new.

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 Postmodernism and "Beginner's Mind"
Electronic/World Wide Web>Blog:  Schlosberg, Paul B. (04/22/2010), Postmodernism and "Beginner's Mind", Positive Well-being - Positive, Transformative Living , Retrieved on 2014-03-03
  • Source Material [networkedblogs.com]
  • Folksonomies: postmodernism mindfulness beginner's mind