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Preserving the Beginner’s Mind
The meaning of the beginner’s mind is very important because it is the powerful energy that arises when we first come into contact with the Three Jewels, giving rise to a deep aspiration to transform suffering and to help others. We must add a chapter on preserving the beginner’s mind in our mindful daily activities, nourishing it through three sources of nourishment: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, so that this energy is not eroded, supporting a persistent and successful practice life.
We build the Sangha (the Jewel of the Sangha) before the Jewel of the Dharma because it is concrete and accessible, consisting of members who have a strong beginner’s mind, radiating collective energy that helps newcomers feel trust and begin to transform. The principles of forming and nourishing the Sangha body are:
- starting from four cells (four people) to create the heartbeat, then expanding to the fifth, the sixth person, and so on
- accepting all brothers and sisters, helping those who have practiced for a long time but still face difficulties, while also learning from those who practice well
- practicing the Dharma in daily life: breathing, walking, sitting, eating in mindfulness so that our own being radiates the true Dharma and creates the true Sangha.
Practicing the island within (taking refuge in oneself) is a meditation that helps us recognize and transform our fears, sadness, and anger. In difficult moments, just sitting still, breathing in and out in mindfulness, truly taking refuge in the Three Jewels, we can create peace and happiness right in the present moment.
