Beginner’s Mind

‘I’m a musical scientist.’ – Bjork

I remember hearing Bjork say this in an awards speech years ago and I thought she was just trying to be Icelandic and weird. But now I understand.

I see the same sentiment echoed in the TED talk above (worth watching), which argues that children are, potentially, the best scientists due to the few pre-conceptions and expectations they bring to an activity or experiment, and for their willingness to play.

The same idea is echoed in Zen master Shunryu Suzuki’s book Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind when he says ‘This is the real secret of the Arts: always be a beginner.’

Science, Art and Religion seem to agree that experimentation, the willingness to be wrong and beginning without a pre-meditated end in mind, is how we discover new things and, perhaps, move forward as a species (if, in fact, there is a ‘forward’. But now I’m just being Icelandic and weird). I wonder if experts in Mathematics, Engineering, Business and other disciplines have their own way of expressing this idea.

My new vow is to start each day as a story scientist and to be open to what happens. It will be fun if not productive.

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2 Comments

  1. January 4, 2014 / 8:35 am

    Hi Tristan ,

    I'm AJ , I'm currently 11 and I've just recently heard about you . I'm planning on attending your one day workshop in beecroft Sydney .

    I'm a great writer and reader and have always been the top of my class in everything . Now I'm starting year 7 in January .

    I have my own blog which recently turned 1 year old . I would really appreciate it a lot if you could maybe check it out and if you like it or have any suggestions you could comment on any of my posts 🙂

    Here is my blog link : http://ajgirlsrule.wordpress.com

    Thank you ,

    AJ 🙂

  2. February 2, 2014 / 12:49 am

    Hi AJ

    So sorry to have taken so long to get back to you. I have been away for a while.

    I think blogging is one of the best ways to develop your writing. It allows you to try out ideas before you write a longer piece, it gives you daily writing practice and it makes you unafraid to share your work with other people. (Many writers suffer from fear of judgement.)

    I have read your Ho-Ho Holiday post and A New Chapter. I love the way you work through your ideas, the way you pour yourself into the posts. I would love it if there was a pic with each post, something to visualise the idea you're discussing. That's my only suggestion. Other than that, go forth and conquer.

    If you blog every day or a few times a week, over the years you'll build a following and develop and hone your own unique way of laying words on the page. It looks like you're well on your way. I hope to see you in Beecroft.

    Best,

    T.

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