Wisdom is something that we gain primarily through our own experiences.  Sometimes we learn from the knowledge of other people, but many things can only be truly understood by living through events firsthand.  In many cases, the passage of time is required to give us a proper perspective for appreciating the experiences of our lives.  I can't tell you how many times I've thought "Boy, if I knew then what I know now!"  Unfortunately, many people don't have the wisdom  to savor the present moment.  The past is gone and cannot be changed, and the future is always the future.  Now is all we ever really have.  The irony is that to appreciate the here and now, we might need to look back at the past for reference, and still have the foresight to understand that we will one day be reminiscing about today.

In the quest to become a better musician, I've realized that a big key to improvement is finding a way to maintain what Philip Sudo, author of Zen Guitar, calls "The Beginner's Mind".  Some days it's a lot easier said than done.  A beginner in an activity is usually brimming with enthusiasm and not jaded by experience.  The novice is receptive to learning new things and is open to a horizon of limitless possibilities.  A lack of technical knowledge is often compensated by an abundance of passion as the new guitar student throws himself into learning the instrument.  Some are lucky enough to keep the fire burning as they progress while supporting their initial enthusiasm.  Others become frustrated by the obstacles on the path and either continue with a lesser degree of satisfaction, or abandon playing altogether.

Living in the past can keep us from taking care of the present; however, there is some value in remembering the things that brought us to play music in the first place.  We've all heard of the saying "You can't teach an old dog new tricks".  While age is a relative issue, it is true that as we become more experienced at something, we become more set in our ways.  We tend to find our comfort zones and don't want to stray too far from them.  This is why some artists become stagnant and repetitious.  It's one thing to have a successful formula for something, and another to find ways to keep growing while using tried and true methods.  Some people thrive on challenges and new encounters more than others.  It's human nature to want to take the path of least resistance.  For many, this means playing things close to the vest and staying in the comfort zone.  Whatever path we choose to take, we should occasionally pause to reconnect with the mindset we had as beginners.  The wise veteran realizes that we will always be beginners.

Every once in awhile I reach a point of weariness with the guitar.  More accurately, there may be a feeling of boredom with my musical situation at that point. My love for the guitar is never lost, but the inevitable ruts found by playing for a long time might loom larger on some days.  At those times I contemplate things I can do to reinvigorate myself.  Do I need to write new songs?  Do I need to practice more?  Should I find new players to play with?  Do I need some new music equipment (my favorite)?  Do I need to get away from playing for a little bit?  All of these feelings are natural.

When the dullness appears, I realize how important it is for me to remember what it felt like to pick up the guitar for the first time.  I think back to the music I was listening to which inspired me to learn the instrument.  I remember the sights, sounds, and smells of the music store I used to go to.  I recall living at home as a child and playing my guitar in my old bedroom.  Things seemed so innocent and pure then.  Putting on an old record or video tape might spark a resurgence of my energy and get me back on track with my playing.

We all probably have instances in our past development that we would just as soon forget.  Sometimes I listen back to recordings of my playing from long ago and I become critical simply because I feel like I would do certain things differently today.  Maybe that's a good thing because it points to progress in my abilities.  On the other hand, we shouldn't devalue the past because it is precisely what got us to where we are now.  There are pieces of music I can listen to from the past where I hear an adventurous spirit in my style that may not be as evident now.  The funny thing is that my old performances can occasionally influence my current playing, while refreshing my passion for the guitar.  It doesn't always happen, but it's a wonderful feeling when that beginner's mindset comes back and prompts me to play with more joy and unbridled zeal.  Paradoxically speaking, I might find myself playing with a greater sense of purpose when there is no greater sense of purpose.

The beginner's mind takes me back to the days of just sitting down with the guitar and playing effortlessly for the pure delight of it.  To play with the fervor of a beginner and experience of a professional are my goals.  The former is often the hardest thing to do.

Jason