--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The goal of practice is always to keep…" description: "\"The goal of practice is always to keep our beginner's mind.\" — Jack Kornfield" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da6/jack-kornfield-936_beginner_the-goal-of-practice-is-always-to-keep-o_2998951.png" --- # The goal of practice is always to keep our beginner's mind. ![“The goal of practice is always to keep our beginner's mind.” quote by Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da6/jack-kornfield-936_beginner_the-goal-of-practice-is-always-to-keep-o_2998951.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da6/jack-kornfield-936_beginner_the-goal-of-practice-is-always-to-keep-o_2998951.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da6/jack-kornfield-936_beginner_the-goal-of-practice-is-always-to-keep-o_2998951.png) > “The goal of practice is always to keep our beginner's mind.” [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Maintaining a beginner’s mind keeps us open, curious, and receptive to learning, regardless of experience. **In simple terms:** Stay curious like a beginner. Key Takeaway Cultivate openness daily. Themes mindfulness learning growth humility Mood calm reflective Type spiritual educational When to use this quote - teaching - creative work - personal development Key Concepts beginner’s mind continuous learning spiritual practice Questions to Reflect On - How can you reset your perspective? - What practices keep you open? A Different Perspective Even experts can become rigid. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beginners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beginners/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [We strive always to have a beginner's mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-benioff/we-strive-always-to-have-a-beginner-s-mind/) [Marc Benioff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-benioff/) > [I set myself challenges every time I work. Ideally, I approach everything as though it's the first time - with a beginner's mind and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/i-set-myself-challenges-every-time-i-work-ideally-i-approach/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [There’s a phrase in Buddhism, ‘Beginner’s mind.’ It’s wonderful to have a beginner’s mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/there-s-a-phrase-in-buddhism-beginner-s-mind-it-s-wonderful-to-have-a/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [I think a critical part of being successful in our industry is having a beginner's mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-benioff/i-think-a-critical-part-of-being-successful-in-our-industry-is-having/) [Marc Benioff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-benioff/) > [“An open beginner's mind is a powerful tool for developing patience.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-lokos/an-open-beginner-s-mind-is-a-powerful-tool-for-developing-patience/) [Allan Lokos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-lokos/) > [“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s there are few.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/in-the-beginner-s-mind-there-are-many-possibilities-in-the-expert-s-2/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [If your mind is empty, it is ready for anything. In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/if-your-mind-is-empty-it-is-ready-for-anything-in-the-beginner-s-mind/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [You can only get a beginner's mind once.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-ullman/you-can-only-get-a-beginner-s-mind-once/) [Ellen Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-ullman/) > [In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few… In the beginner's mind there is no thought, 'I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/in-the-beginner-s-mind-there-are-many-possibilities-in-the-expert-s/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [In Buddhism, what is known as beginner's mind is a way to look at the world as if for the first time: with interest,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-cozolino/in-buddhism-what-is-known-as-beginner-s-mind-is-a-way-to-look-at-the/) [Louis Cozolino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-cozolino/) > [You wanna build your IQ higher in the next two years? Be uncomfortable. That means, learn something where you have a beginner's mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nolan-bushnell/you-wanna-build-your-iq-higher-in-the-next-two-years-be-uncomfortable/) [Nolan Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nolan-bushnell/) > [You need to have a beginner's mind to create bold innovation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-benioff/you-need-to-have-a-beginner-s-mind-to-create-bold-innovation/) [Marc Benioff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-benioff/) > [In Japan we have the phrase, "Shoshin," which means "beginner's mind." Our "original mind" includes everything within itself. It is always rich and sufficient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/in-japan-we-have-the-phrase-shoshin-which-means-beginner-s-mind-our/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [So the most difficult thing is always to keep your beginner's mind. There is no need to have a deep understanding of Zen. Even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/so-the-most-difficult-thing-is-always-to-keep-your-beginner-s-mind/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [I would not be happy if I could not become a monk. They call it the beginner's mind - the deep intention, the deepest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/i-would-not-be-happy-if-i-could-not-become-a-monk-they-call-it-the/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) ## More by Jack Kornfield > [“When we let go of our battles and open our heart to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/when-we-let-go-of-our-battles-and-open-our-heart-to-things-as-they/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [In opening we can see how many times we have mistaken small identities and fearful beliefs for our true nature and how limiting this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/in-opening-we-can-see-how-many-times-we-have-mistaken-small/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Wherever you are is the perfect place to awaken. This moment is the exact place to practice compassion and loving awareness. You have all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/wherever-you-are-is-the-perfect-place-to-awaken-this-moment-is-the/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Acceptance does not mean inaction. We may need to respond, strongly at times...From a peaceful center we can respond instead of react. Unconscious reactions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/acceptance-does-not-mean-inaction-we-may-need-to-respond-strongly-at/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To live in this precious animal body on this earth is as great a part of spiritual life as anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-live-in-this-precious-animal-body-on-this-earth-is-as-great-a-part/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [We do not have to improve ourselves; we just have to let go of what blocks our heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/we-do-not-have-to-improve-ourselves-we-just-have-to-let-go-of-what/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To open deeply, as genuine spiritual life requires, we need tremendous courage and strength, a kind of warrior spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-open-deeply-as-genuine-spiritual-life-requires-we-need-tremendous/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [As we step out of the way new things are born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/as-we-step-out-of-the-way-new-things-are-born/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [For most of us, generosity is a quality that must be developed. We have to respect that it will grow gradually; otherwise our spirituality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/for-most-of-us-generosity-is-a-quality-that-must-be-developed-we-have/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [What is truly a part of our spiritual path is that which brings us alive. If gardening brings us alive, that is part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/what-is-truly-a-part-of-our-spiritual-path-is-that-which-brings-us/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [“Working with these distractions, steadying the canoe, letting the waves pass by, and coming back again and again in a quiet and collected way,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/working-with-these-distractions-steadying-the-canoe-letting-the-waves/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To understand ourselves and our life is the point of insight meditation: to understand and to be free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-understand-ourselves-and-our-life-is-the-point-of-insight/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To let go in the deepest recesses of the heart, to release all struggle and wanting, leads us to that knowing which is timeless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-let-go-in-the-deepest-recesses-of-the-heart-to-release-all/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Wisdom says we are nothing. Love says we are everything. Between these two our life flows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/wisdom-says-we-are-nothing-love-says-we-are-everything-between-these/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Breathing meditation can quiet the mind, open the body, and develop a great power of concentration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/breathing-meditation-can-quiet-the-mind-open-the-body-and-develop-a/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) [Explore all 324 Jack Kornfield quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) ## More Beginner quotes > [There never was a winner, who wasn't a beginner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/there-never-was-a-winner-who-wasn-t-a-beginner/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Kook means the clueless beginner who paddles his surf board out to the other surfers in the lineup and starts chattering away like it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-heller/kook-means-the-clueless-beginner-who-paddles-his-surf-board-out-to/) [Peter Heller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-heller/) > [If the angel deigns to come it will be because you have convinced her, not by tears but by your humble resolve to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainer-maria-rilke/if-the-angel-deigns-to-come-it-will-be-because-you-have-convinced-her/) [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainer-maria-rilke/) > [I know now that everybody in the arts is forever a beginner. Experience counts for a great deal and very little. Every night onstage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-know-now-that-everybody-in-the-arts-is-forever-a-beginner/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [I've always liked to learn how to do things - I'm a hobby person. So I'll learn something at a beginner's level, then usually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-ve-always-liked-to-learn-how-to-do-things-i-m-a-hobby-person-so-i/) [Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/) > [Starting out in a beginner class and really understanding the fundamentals of yoga is really important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariel-hemingway/starting-out-in-a-beginner-class-and-really-understanding-the/) [Mariel Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariel-hemingway/) > [I am always a beginner. I only try to include different parts of life; the pastoral, the tragic, et cetera.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hamilton-finlay/i-am-always-a-beginner-i-only-try-to-include-different-parts-of-life/) [Ian Hamilton Finlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hamilton-finlay/) > [A fiery, good beginner always stands higher than a master in mediocrity...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/a-fiery-good-beginner-always-stands-higher-than-a-master-in-mediocrity/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [You can only get a beginner's mind once.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-ullman/you-can-only-get-a-beginner-s-mind-once/) [Ellen Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-ullman/) > [“Masters today, were Starters Yesterday, so begin now.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/masters-today-were-starters-yesterday-so-begin-now/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [If he ever had a bright idea it would be beginner's luck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lashner/if-he-ever-had-a-bright-idea-it-would-be-beginner-s-luck/) [William Lashner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lashner/) > [The expert in anything was always a beginner once](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/green-monk/the-expert-in-anything-was-always-a-beginner-once/) [Green Monk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/green-monk/) > [Talent is important, and some background as well. This really is not beginner's school. I want to work with people that have achieved a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vlatko-stefanovski/talent-is-important-and-some-background-as-well-this-really-is-not/) Vlatko Stefanovski > [For a beginner, find a trainer that you trust and set some goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hafthor-bjornsson/for-a-beginner-find-a-trainer-that-you-trust-and-set-some-goals/) [Hafthor Bjornsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hafthor-bjornsson/) > [I've been making movies for a long time. The Japanese way of making movies has become second nature to me. To get away from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/takashi-miike/i-ve-been-making-movies-for-a-long-time-the-japanese-way-of-making/) [Takashi Miike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/takashi-miike/) Browse all 119 Beginner quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The goal of practice is always to keep our beginner's mind.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jack Kornfield" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/the-goal-of-practice-is-always-to-keep-our-beginner-s-mind/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Beginner" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/the-goal-of-practice-is-always-to-keep-our-beginner-s-mind/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da6/jack-kornfield-936_beginner_the-goal-of-practice-is-always-to-keep-o_2998951.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da6/jack-kornfield-936_beginner_the-goal-of-practice-is-always-to-keep-o_2998951.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da6/jack-kornfield-936_beginner_the-goal-of-practice-is-always-to-keep-o_2998951.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The goal of practice is always to keep our beginner's mind.” — Jack Kornfield", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jack Kornfield", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The goal of practice is always...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/the-goal-of-practice-is-always-to-keep-our-beginner-s-mind/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/the-goal-of-practice-is-always-to-keep-our-beginner-s-mind/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```