Dear Peter:

The canvas metaphor which you presented in your original post in this thread (almost 6 months ago, June 20) and returned to yesterday (“Back to the canvas metaphor…“) is one that I studied, got excited about..  and then forgot about it. I want to resurrect it and make a practical use of it in my life today.

As I understand it, and according to my research today, the metaphor extends to life and existence, suggesting that every moment holds infinite potential and is connected to the eternal present. Yesterday, you expressed that the metaphor illustrates the cumulative nature of choices and actions. Each choice influences the next, leading to a developed style that limits creativity, limiting the infinite potential in every moment. The idea is to keep the canvas “blank” to avoid accumulation and remain truly free.

Just as the canvas remains blank and holds infinite potential, beliefs can confine us by defining boundaries and limiting our perception of potential. True freedom lies in embracing the blank canvas of existence, free from accumulated beliefs and fears.

The blank canvas metaphor is quite similar to the concept of “beginner’s mind.“, “Shoshin“, in Zen Buddhism. The blank canvas symbolizes a fresh start, unburdened by previous strokes or accumulated actions. The beginner’s mind refers to approaching life with an open, eager, and uncluttered perspective, as if seeing things for the first time. It involves being free from preconceived notions and open to all possibilities.

The idea that the canvas remains blank, even as it gets painted, suggests living in the present moment and realizing that each moment holds limitless potential. Practicing a beginner’s mind means embracing the present moment without the baggage of past experiences or judgments, allowing one to fully engage with the here and now.

Avoiding the accumulation of brush strokes to maintain the canvas’s blank state is akin to not letting past actions or memories define or limit one’s current experience. Similarly, the beginner’s mind encourages letting go of accumulated knowledge and experiences to see things afresh, thereby avoiding the constraints that come from past conditioning.

Both the blank canvas metaphor and the beginner’s mind encourage a state of openness, potential, and living in the present without being constrained by past experiences or preconceived notions. They both advocate for a fresh, unrestricted approach to life and creativity.

Thank you Peter for sharing these insightful reflections. They provide much food for thought and inspire a deeper contemplation, on my part.

And now … Blank.

anita