Tag Archives: Walking Meditation

Walking What?

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Walking meditation is commonly practiced by Tibetan and Buddhist Monks and unsurprisngly, it’s a form of active meditation.

There are obvious differences when you compare walking meditation to other types of passive meditation techniques. Rather than sitting silently in a still position, you’re actually walking and “experiencing movement.” During walking meditation your focus is on each step you take. Rather than walking mindlessly, welcome mindfulness into your step. Feel your entire body starting at your feet as you step into the ground and move forward with peaceful silence.

Many beginners enjoy this type of meditation technique because it’s easier for them to focus on the actual act of walking versus sitting still and concentrating to clear the mind. And the great news is that you still reap the many benefits of passive meditation, including decreased stress levels, improved relaxation and an increase in energy :)

6 Steps to a Successful Walking Meditation:

1. Start your walking meditation with 3 deep breaths. Inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth.

2. Take a step forward and continue to move forward at a steady pace. As you walk, be sure to focus on each step that you take. Be aware as your heel contacts the ground and notice how the rest of your foot naturally follows suit.

3. Slow your pace if need be to ensure that each movement you take is made in a conscious state.

4. Pay attention to your breathing patterns at all times. Eventually, fall into a breathing-stepping rhythm where you consistently take 2 steps for every breath. Alter the number of steps to suit your own patterns.

5. Relax your shoulders and focus your gaze in front of you.

6. Consciously walk for a minimum of 20-30 minutes and tune into the flowing movements of your body.

Walking meditation is a great way to relax the mind and move the body at the same time. It’s the perfect excuse to get out there and connect with your body, soul and nature. There are walking meditation audio tracks as well so be sure to check them out if guided meditation is something that works for you!

Walking Meditation as a Modern Way to a Healthier Life

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Meditation has always been associated with solitude, tranquility, and physical inactivity. When one talks of meditation, you may usually come up with a scenario in which a person finds a secluded area, closes his eyes in silence, and rests his body while working his mind out. Does meditation always have to be like this?

Meditation is an art. A method. A skill. A process. It is the art of keeping in touch with yourself, of discovering your entirety and the many facets of your being. It is also a skill that must be developed. It requires discipline and right mindset. You cannot simply think that you will meditate and expect to achieve a result right after. This requires the tuning of one’s consciousness. Meditation typically involves a set of procedures and guidelines to be followed. Typically, the success of the activity will depend on the adherence to the given principles and rules.

One interesting form of meditation that deviates from the old and traditional concept is walking meditation. Walking meditation is a lot different from other forms of meditation known to many. For one, you will not have to be physically inactive just to do it. In fact, you need to move and be active – you need to walk! You have to actively engage your mind and your body in this activity in order to experience a holistic positive result. This brings another benefit. Since walking is a daily activity, you can actually grow by meditation everyday!

You also will not have to find a secluded place just so you can meditate. Anywhere will do. Actually, a noisy and crowded place is even encouraged. Here is where the challenge lies. Concentration is important and awareness must be focused. You must not allow the outer world to bind your mind into it – by the things that you see, hear, or whatever you perceive. You may be aware of them, but you must guard not to do anything about them. Do not cling to anything.

The guiding principle behind walking meditation is achieving a balanced awareness, equilibrium, between your inner self and the outer world surrounding you. This meditation will invite you to feel your entire body, all the workings of the parts that make you up, being aware how each of your body parts operates. While doing this, you also have to notice your emotion and your mood. These are all done while you walk. The outside world need not be lost in your focus. There will always be stuffs that will catch your attention as you meditate, and you are not to resist. You are not to hang on to these, though. You have to let them pass by, observing them without doing anything at all.

This is the real sense of awareness. The ideal result of walking meditation is the person’s consciousness of the outside world while being completely aware of his inner self. When this is achieved, many of the puzzles and complexities of life will become clearer and simpler. By bridging the gap between what is within and what is out of yourself, you can take full control of your life and enjoy a healthier and a more satisfied lifestyle.