Shoshin, post pandemic

Neither I know how the post pandemic times would be nor I believe anyone would know how would it turn out to be. The new buzzword #NewNormal is trending and it is obvious now that lifestyles and survival strategies would change post pandemic. 

Our mannerisms at home, at society, during travel, at workplace, at hangouts, in social interactions, at worship places, at professional/personal gatherings and every other aspect of our life would be changing. Our lives did not pause for which one can expect it to resume from where we left it. It was a climb with no end and we slipped to it's bottom and now we need to prepare ourselves to restart the climb. But, I have an improvised angle to it too. In fact, not improvised but basic angle. 

[ Sourced the meaning of the word from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoshin ]

Shoshin (初心) is a word from Zen Buddhism meaning "beginner's mind." It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner would. The term is especially used in the study of Zen Buddhism and Japanese martial arts. 

"in the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind there are few." - Shunryu Suzuki 

It is a practice which you might formally pursue. I am not practicing it in a formal manner but I practice it in my own way in daily activities, enabling life long learning. 

When I learn something new, do you know how it feels ? There is confusion because I don't know whatever I am learning. I get curious and in wonder about the newness of it. That’s my mind and that's a beginner’s mind too. 

Why it matters ? Because a beginner's mind isn't clouded with assumptions, expectations or preconceptions. Hence, it gives better teachings, better experiences, better relationships, less anxiety, better time management, clearer thought processes, out-of-box thinking, enthusiasm, optimisim and a newness in each day. 

These are unprecedented times which demands new preventive, detective and corrective measures. We need to apply a beginner's mind and create a new normal. Also, howsoever these new measures would be, we need to learn and accept it with a beginner's mind. Our approach towards situations determine the choices we get and the choice we make determine the situations we get ourselves into. 

During or Post pandemic, keep your approach basic and clear. Eat right, Don't fight among yourselves, Stay in touch with loved ones, Treat the health workers and essential providers with respect and kindness, Think about safety of yourself and others around you, Sanitize / Wash your hands, Do not touch eyes, nose and mouth, Stay home, Stay safe and Shoshin ! 

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