Discover the Japanese secret to living with clarity, wonder, and renewal — every single day.

In Japan, there is a word that carries both humility and power: Shoshin (初心) — the beginner’s mind. It is the art of meeting each moment as if for the first time, free from the weight of certainty and the dullness of routine. In a world that prizes expertise, speed, and constant achievement, Shoshin offers something radical: the freedom to pause, to notice, and to begin again.

In Shoshin: The Beginner’s Mind Path to Renewal and Growth, author Ben K. Tanaka guides readers through ten chapters of reflection, story, and practice. Drawing on Zen traditions, Japanese aesthetics, and everyday rituals, he shows how anyone — no matter their background — can rediscover freshness in work, relationships, creativity, and daily life.

Written in a calm, meditative style that reflects Japanese culture itself, this book is not about lofty philosophy alone. It is about practice. Each chapter offers gentle invitations to return to the present, to let go of certainty, and to let life surprise you again.

Whether you are seeking renewal after burnout, fresh perspective in your career, or simply a way to make the ordinary feel alive, Shoshin will guide you back to the quiet joy of beginning.

Step into the path of Shoshin and discover the power of seeing your life — and yourself — with new eyes.

Contents:

Dedication

Preface

Chapter 1: What It Means to Begin Again (初心とは何か)

Chapter 2: The Weight of Knowing Too Much (知りすぎる重さ)

Chapter 3: Emptying the Cup (茶碗を空にする)

Chapter 4: Beginner’s Mind in Relationships (人間関係の初心)

Chapter 5: The Creative Power of Unlearning (学び直す創造力)

Chapter 6: Shoshin at Work (仕事における初心)

Chapter 7: Failure as a Fresh Start (失敗は新たな始まり)

Chapter 8: Shoshin and Nature (自然における初心)

Chapter 9: Shoshin in Daily Rituals (日常の儀式における初心)

Chapter 10: Living Shoshin Every Day (日々の生活における初心)

Conclusion

Author’s Note