The guy was quirky at first glance. Medium height, lanky build cloaked with a loose fitting robe of some type. Unruly shoulder length hair and beard that was not groomed. He was a star wars convention guy. Obi wan or one of these desert dwelling, sandal wearing guys who for a few days a year, really thinks they have the force. I glanced down at his waist, looking for a light saber. Nothing there...
He led a small group of us to our cushions. The building was an old barn, rebuilt, post and beam. I gazed at the craftsmanship, and missed most of what he was saying. As I refocused, he began his teaching of the beginners mind. I got it. I have it. I didnt have it walking thru this door, and maybe that was his point. My knees and hips were begging for mercy as, for the remainder of the day, brought me to the present state, and described the joy of life as seen from the beginners view.
Laird Hamilton is a metaphysical phenomenon. He transcends the barrier between here and there, physically, mentally, on two feet. He eats pure raw food, clears brush and chops trees to wind down, and seeks out the most mundane, radical corners of the earth, and then conquers them.... For Laird, being a beginner is the essence of life. For a simple reason - mastering a topic yields marginal bits of joy, while learning is all joy.
My daughter plays soccer. She is a far behind her teammates, and struggles to even make contact with the ball. She wears a grin that overshadows the everyone on the field. She is consumed with the joy of learning, of the journey ahead. She is a beginner, I cherish this, and I learn from her.
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