“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities; in the expert’s mind there are few.” —Suzuki Roshi
Suzuki Roshi also said, “…the most difficult thing is always to keep your beginner’s mind. There is no need to have a deep understanding of Zen…This is also the real secret of the arts: always be a beginner. Be very careful about this point. If you start to practice zazen, you will begin to appreciate your beginner’s mind. It is the secret of Zen practice.”
A transplanted Japanese monk, Suzuki Roshi spoke these words to a very small group of American students in 1965. His teachings have continued to inspire Zen students ever since. The small volume of his talks, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, has helped shape the expression of Zen practice in the West. His depth and sincerity shine through in these brief talks which were compiled and edited by his students and published in 1971, the year before his death.
Flint Sparks is a Soto Zen teacher and former psychologist who has been a beloved teacher to the EBS community since 2019. Please join Flint (by Zoom from his base in Hawaii) and our local EBS community (practicing together in person at EBS) for a truthful and gentle immersion in this Zen practice of returning to beginner’s mind.
In this retreat we will revisit Suzuki Roshi’s classic teachings and investigate how his instructions still inform our practice today. Everyone can offer something meaningful or provocative from the book - a line, a phrase, a brief paragraph - in writing ahead of the retreat. Flint will use these offerings as a relational guide for his teachings when we are together.
Participants can join the retreat or any part of it by Zoom from home, or in person at EBS. Schedule:
November 17, Friday, Dharma talk at 7:00 pm.
November 18, Saturday, we will practice together at EBS from 9:00 to 5:00. Flint will join by Zoom several times throughout the day.
November 19, Sunday, from 9:00 to Noon, we will practice together at EBS. Flint will join by Zoom during the session.
The retreat costs $150 for the entire weekend, $25 for Friday’s talk. Scholarships are available. Advance registration is required. You can register now and pay later.
Ecumenical Buddhist Society and Zoom
1516 West 3rd Street
Little Rock, AR, 72201United States (map)