Everyday Practices- Walking Meditation
Before I get started on walking meditation, I want to thank all of you who gave me such support, as well as great ideas yesterday! This last year has left me isolated in my parenting, which can make it feel like Clara and I are the only ones experiencing tantrums, pickiness, dawdling, etc. So I bow to each of you Mommies for all the love and compassion you show to your children… and for sharing your own challenges and solutions with me.
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As you know, I am a big fan of practices that don’t take hours or require living in the mountains wearing a loincloth. After all, we are busy and our attention is generally divided between roughly 1,000 things. But we all seek balance and, I believe, an inner place of stillness. Dare I even call it spiritual connection? Whatever you choose to call it, I think everyone should have at least five practices they love and are familiar with using. That way when a mini-break is needed, your soul is in need of a recharge, or, you have a few spare minutes to reconnect with yourself, you have choices.
I fondly think of these as my “guerilla practices”…
One that is easily transported, and also good when you might not otherwise be able to get your brain to settle down is walking meditation. Great if you can take your shoes off, but certainly not necessary.
Set a timer for five minutes (or longer) and choose a place to walk (around the playground, or the office, maybe?). Take a few deep breaths and allow the mind to loosen up and quiet down as you begin, very slowly, to walk- keeping the mind focused entirely on the sensation of walking. Feel the foot rolling from heel to toe, feel the weight of the body transfer from one side of the body to the other… focus on the sensations of moving the body.
You can certainly do this at a full-speed walk, but begin by slowing it down to tune in completely to being in your body and experiencing the meditation and your body completely.
May you all find time for your personal practices this weekend…
February 1st, 2008 at 1:02 pm
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February 1st, 2008 at 9:33 pm
You want me to slow down my walking!?!
Ok I’ll try.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Thank for your thoughtful posts, Nona. I read with interest every day, and this seems especially helpful today.
Lulu
February 1st, 2008 at 10:53 pm
It occurs to me after reading today’s post that I do not walk enough. At all. I need to work on that. I see lots and lots of walking in my future…
February 2nd, 2008 at 12:59 am
Kelcey, I know. I walk at lightning speed. Poor Clara gets dragged along behind me. Fortunately for me, Clara is my buddha baby. She is always saying when we walk, “Mommy, slowly, not fastly.” Ahhhh.
Lulu, thank you.
Melissa, I see lots of walking in your future, too.
Every time I go out here and walk somewhere, I am just blown away by how much I love being able to walk or get on a bus to get whereever I need to go. One of the things I really, really adore about Europe.