How Traveling Can Force a Beginner’s Mind

I’ve recently been reading The Creative Act by Rick Rubin, and there is a short chapter on The Beginner’s Mind. Rick’s articulation of it resonated with me in a relevant way related to the experiences I have when traveling.

Rick describes the beginner’s mind as follows:

“Beginner’s mind is starting from a pure childlike place of not knowing. Living in the moment with as few fixed beliefs as possible. Seeing things for what they are as presented. Tuning in to what enlivens us in the moment instead of what we think will work. And making decisions accordingly. Any preconceived ideas and accepted conventions limit what’s possible.”

Our default state is to move into repetition, routine, predictability, and prescribed labels. Most people, myself included, trend toward routine no matter where I am. I’m not saying routine and predictability are bad, but they can numb what I might think is possible.

Traveling to a new place forces a beginner’s mind. I have no choice but to be transported back to a child-like state of awe and wonder when experiencing something completely new, or coming back for the first time in a long time.

When entering into a beginner’s mind, I look at the world differently. I look at it with optimism and opportunity instead of pessimism and closed adversity. This can help me look at many parts of my life differently, whether it’s work, relationships, or personal.

The more foreign and different a place is, the more heavily I’m jolted into a beginner’s mind, curious about my surroundings and what might be possible.

Rubin goes on to say:

“When you see what’s present around you as if for the first time, you start to realize how astonishing it is.”

Awe-inspiring experiences don’t need to be grandiose. If constantly on the move and seeing exciting new things all the time, a still quiet night can bring the same level of awe.

For me, practicing a beginner’s mind seems fundamental to the human experience, and I’m dedicated to the continual pursuit of putting myself in positions of humility and learning.