Hi Charlotte,CharlotteKAT wrote: ↑09 Jul 2017, 06:45 Thanks for posting the link to your blog Michael. Very interesting reading. I don't know much about Daoism, but 'studied' Zen for a while (insofar as you can study an experiential practice). Daoist ideas clearly permeate Zen, and it occurred to me that the Fool also may be considered as having beginners mind, or shoshin? Shin represents heart/mind and best translation I can see for sho is 'flying' or 'soaring'. So in this state of shoshin, The Fool is unfettered by preconceptions or conditioning, mind/heart residing in that pure free place of complete knowing and unknowing.
Yes, Daoist ideas clearly permeate Zen, as the latter was created in China (where it is called "Chan") as a blend of Daoism and Buddhism. I "studied" Zen both in my home country with a Buddhist monk and during a one-year stay in Japan.
I agree with you that the concept of having beginner's mind is very much in keeping with The Fool. And you have explained it very nicely. :)