Beginner’s Luck and Beginner’s Mind

Topic: In The Alchemist, King Mechizedek explains the principle of “favorability”, or beginner’s luck, a concept that is also important in Zen Buddhism, which emphasizes “beginner’s mind. “ Do some research on this topic and discuss how it works in the novel. In what situations does it help Santiago? Why would a beginner be luckier than someone with more experience? Have you ever benefited from beginner’s luck or witnessed someone else who did something surprisingly well the first time?

BEGINNER’S LUCK AND BEGINNER’S MIND

            Beginner’s Mind is a concept that comes from another concept in Zen Buddhism called Shoshin (nyuanshin). Shoshin is based on having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a new subject, or even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner in that subject or that job would. The concept of Beginner’s Mind is also used as a book subject by late Shunryu Suzuki-Roshi, a Zen teacher.

            Beginner’s luck is a concept which deals with the Beginner’s Mind concept. When someone decides to do something which he or she was not used to do, he/she becomes a beginner. A beginner should think carefully before deciding something and act self-possessed. So a beginner has less chance to fail.

            “Every search begins with beginner’s luck. And every search ends with the victor is being tested. (pg.132)” If someone begins a search and devotes himself to his search, the universe will help him. There always are such omens to show him his route.

At the story, Santiago was a beginner in many situations. He has started his journey with an aim to travel many places and he devoted himself to this event. His luck gave him a treasure. When he had an effective dream, he saw the gypsy and told about his dream to her. If he was a man who is embezzled by a gypsy, he wouldn’t believe her. But he wasn’t experienced so his luck helped him. When he met with the king, Mechizedek, he learned about favorability and his way of looking the life had changed a little. His luck made him know how the universe helps a beginner. When he tried to sell his flock, he wasn’t a merchant but he was honest. So the man who wants to be a shepherd bought his flock. Santiago sold his flock very easily and he earned a good price from his flock. When he started to work in crystal merchant’s shop, he was a beginner. He wasn’t used to sell crystal objects. When he suggested selling tea in crystal glasses, the merchant didn’t allow him first, because he thought the glasses could be broken and he will be in injury. On the other hand, Santiago persuaded the merchant because he believed his ideas and he didn’t have such prejudices like the merchant’s. That was the effect of beginner’s luck on Santiago.

            As we can see from Santiago’s story, a beginner can be luckier than someone with more experience. First of all a beginner hasn’t got many prejudices. A beginner thinks carefully and just focuses on the basic events. An expert will think deeply about the details but a beginner will look the whole event as possible as basic.

            I strongly believe in beginner’s luck. When I was a seventh grade student, I was playing badminton as a hobby. One day our P.E. teacher came to class and said that we were going a badminton tournament as five girls from my class. We were shocked. That was the first time we played badminton with professional players. We placed the first place between seven teams. That was the thing made me believe in beginner’s luck. A beginner tries to do his best like Santiago did in the crystal merchant’s shop and we tried to show our best too.

            Santiago was a man who learned what Soul of the World and the real life is during his spiritual and eventual journey which has started with the earned believe and power of beginners’ luck. He started to believe himself and finally he found his treasure.