Walking Meditation - Moving towards stillness

Meditation has always been associated with solitude, serenity, and physical inactivity. We usually imagine meditation as a practice done in silence, in peace and while lying down or sitting in a comfortable position. What if I told you that you can meditate while walking in a public space like a park too? Seems a little tough to imagine. One would be quite annoyed at the noise that is out of our control, the distractions caused by other people, pets, frolicking kids, traffic etc.

Meditation is an art and a science. It is a process that requires lots of practice to perfect. Meditation has to be developed slowly and deliberately. The right mindset is very important to begin with. Meditation is a tool to achieve balance between your inner and outer world. There will definitely be things that grab your attention while you practice your walking meditation, but try not to attach to these. Just be a third person, an unbiased eye, just a bystander.

Notice how your breath changes when you try to bring your focus back inward. Observe how your legs feel when you step intentionally, one foot in front of the other. What about the wind caressing your face, the sound of birds chirping, maybe children playing somewhere in the vicinity? Notice all these sights and sounds, acknowledge their presence and let it go with your exhale. Continue walking and bringing your attention back to your body and your mind. Now you also have your own thoughts and feelings and emotions to handle as you look inward. It is easy to get lost in the world and not know what is going on inside us. Meditation helps us to really connect with our inner self, our real self and thus to resolve any issues we might be dealing with. Walking meditation is a great way to first learn to detach from the outside and attempt to connect with the inside.

Just as classical meditation has innumerable benefits, you will start to notice so many positives coming out of your walking meditation too:

· Relaxation

· Rejuvenation

· Improved digestion

· Heightened focus

· Mental stability

· Better concentration

· Positive mood

So, get those walking boots out. The boots are meant for walking – start with a deep breath, then exhale and walk all over anything that does not serve you.

Bonne marche, mes chéris!