Beginner's Mind

What is it about being like a child that makes one greater than John the Baptizer?      

In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matt. 11:11:11).

Then in Matthew 18:3–4 Jesus declares, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

The Gospel of Thomas combines these two sayings in his version: “From Adam to John the Baptizer, among those born of women, there is no one who has reached a higher state than John the Baptizer, so that he deserves to be honored. b) But I tell you this, whoever among you becomes a child will know the realm of Presence and be lifted to a higher state than John” (Logion 46).

“Greater” or “lifted to a higher state” has nothing to do with position or rank. The “realm of Presence” (or “kingdom of heaven”) has nothing to do with egoic competitions or comparisons, but is manifested through simple loving service to others without thought of enhancing one’s own position within the community (see Mark 9:35).

What is it about becoming a child that lifts one to a higher spiritual state than John? Matthew’s version highlights the importance of humility calling attention to the lack of standing, status, or authority a child possesses. But Thomas leaves it open for the reader to entertain other possibilities.

A child would have an unassuming, unambitious consciousness that is necessary for the heart to be open to God. But a child also plays, dreams, and seeks new experiences. A child is naturally inquisitive and imaginative, though parents, religious leaders and others can stifle a spiritual imagination quite early through religious indoctrination and conditioning.

Some spiritual teachers call this “beginner’s mind,” when we become non-assuming, non-controlling, humble, uncertain, pliable, eager to explore and learn, recognizing that much of our so-called knowledge of God was programmed and scripted. Once we assume a beginner’s mind, we are then able to be instructed in the way of the living Jesus. We then have the potential to break out of binary, dualistic, egoic consciousness into a state of unitive consciousness where we see the interconnection of everything and everyone.

We awaken to the profound insight that we all belong. We are sisters and brothers in this earthly household – with all people and with all creation. We share equally in the realm of Presence. John the Baptizer would not have known this, but human consciousness has evolved. We can know this personally, intuitively, and innately through our direct, unmediated experience of Presence.

(This was adapted from my book, The Way of the Living Jesus, pp. 99-100).