directly translate Japanese words that denote these states. We now have terms in Japanese (or Chinese) that do not reveal much themself so different explanations are given for these states of mind.
But let's start from the beginning.
Shoshin – a beginner mind, a beginner state of mind
Shoshin, according to the Japanese translation, means a beginner's state of mind. Shoshin is a state of open spirit towards learning something new, with no previous opinion, assumptions, expectations or guesswork. Shoshin is of essential importance in martial arts because it is the state which will allow the person to permanently acquire new knowledge and to repeatedly progress in each new day and, so, reach a new level of mastery.
By advancing as a person and expanding your knowledge, it gets harder to maintain Shoshin. For example, some people believe that their learning ends when acquiring a black belt, but they are not aware that the first black belt is called "shodan”, which literally means "first level”. So, by acquiring a black belt you are finally ready to wholeheartedly and devotedly learn and reach new knowledge and a higher level of mastery.
This means that the black belt does not signify an ending, but a beginning, i.e. and entry to a new dimension and arrival to a higher level. No matter which belt or title you have in martial arts, if you can keep this state of mind, you will surely advance. To clarify, Shoshin means to learn with a mind which is like an empty piece of paper waiting to put on new words, colors, ideas, new knowledge.
We can explain this by words of old Zen teachers: "How can you try my tea, if you haven't emptied your cup first?"
Shoshin can also be explained by words of martial arts master Shunryu Suzuki (1904 – 1971): "The beginner's mind has many possibilities, whereas a mind of an expert has only a few." So if you wish to constantly progress by learning new skills, you need to maintain a Shoshin state of mind – a beginner's state of mind.
Fudoshin – a state of fixed mind, immovable mind
Fudoshin is a state of mind of unbreakable will and decisiveness. In Japanese, Fudoshin means "fixed, immovable mind”. Simply, Fudoshin means that no external source can affect your mind. Fudoshin is a state of mind which leaves no space for doubt or withdrawal.
Most people use Fudoshin to set their own goals. If you wish to achieve something, if you deeply believe in something, do not let anyone or anything stop you in achieving your goals. Be decisive, persistent and stable. That is Fudoshin.
Fudoshin is very important when the stakes are high, during combat, competition or while achieving some other more important goal.
Viktor Hugo said, "Only those who fight live, those whose spirits and heads are filled with certain firm intention, those who climb high fates, a steep peak. Those are the ones who live, and I pity the rest."
Old martial arts masters from Okinawa said about Fudoshin: "It can be understood only after a long, firm discipline and persistence of that which is hardest to strive for and of that which is most difficult to practice.
A man of weaker will and mind will never understand that kind of effort." Nothing can stop you in achieving your goals. It is a persistent winner's spirit- Fudoshin.