Strolling is a elementary theme in my life. Every step beats like a metronome, each setting my tempo and responding to the tempo of my life.
Step. Step.
Breath. Breath.
My love of strolling began after I was 22. I traveled to Nepal and walked the Annipurna Circuit, a trek which took about 3 weeks. This 125+ mile stroll looped by way of terraced rice fields, crossed mountain rivers on bamboo footbridges, meandered by way of rainforest and at last, crossed the snow-covered Thorong La go at 17,769 ft.
After this, I used to be hooked. Strolling turned my favourite mode of transportation.
I’ve walked 1000’s of miles, in cities and in parks, in chilly climate and in sizzling, in flat lands and in mountains. Any strolling is nice strolling.
There are a lot of issues I really like about strolling. I really like the very un-modern tempo, sluggish sufficient to expertise the world as I stroll by way of it. I really like the complete physique expertise. Smells. Sounds. Feeling the wind on my pores and skin and the earth beneath my ft.
And I really like the time to be each a part of the world and separate from it. I stroll by way of individuals’s lives and I watch them going about their day. We could work together or not– however I proceed on.
Most of my strolling is freeform contemplation–some hazy place between daydreaming and quiet openness. Generally I’ll have a selected subject or concern. Whereas I’ll or could not get an perception however I’ll usually come again with a deeper sense of calm and groundedness.
However strolling will also be a proper meditation observe. And for a lot of, this could be a wealthy addition to their meditation toolkit.
What’s Strolling Meditation?
Strolling meditation brings mindfulness and consciousness to strolling. As an alternative of sitting on a cushion or chair, you stroll.
There are a few methods you’ll be able to strategy strolling meditation.
You’ll be able to carry mindfulness to your strolling. With this strategy, you’re conscious of the sensations of strolling– the strain in your ft as your weight shifts, the sensation of the air because it strikes previous your pores and skin. You focus your consciousness on strolling.
The opposite strategy is to carry strolling into your meditation. Right here, strolling is simply one other place to make use of for meditation. You employ the identical meditation methods you’ll if you end up sitting– you’ll be able to concentrate on sounds, ideas, feelings, and even merely transfer with open consciousness. You’re simply strolling as you do it.
In both case, strolling and meditation are mixed.
Why use Strolling Meditation?
Strolling meditation is a good way to weave your meditation observe into your on a regular basis life.
Generally, your observe will get caught, rote. You’ve gotten your observe and you’ve got your life, and it doesn’t matter what you do, the hole between the 2 can really feel fairly huge. As quickly as you permit your cushion and life hits, you progress straight out of mindfulness and into your routine thought patterns.
Strolling meditation types a bridge between the 2. You observe shifting your physique like your on a regular basis life whereas noticing your thoughts like your meditative observe.
Your observe and your life merge into one. Strolling helps you expertise this.
How do you do Strolling Meditation?
Strolling meditation might be carried out a few other ways.
Generally you sluggish the strolling down. You expertise each shift, each step, each change in your physique intentionally and with consciousness.
In different traditions, you stroll at a standard tempo, precisely the way you usually stroll. If somebody watched you, they wouldn’t know that you’re meditating.
In both case, you don’t house out. Your thoughts is current. You’re not misplaced.
You stroll with consciousness.
Strive strolling the subsequent time you need to freshen your meditative observe. Put in your sneakers and step outdoors. Rain or shine, metropolis or nation, alone or in a crowd, carry your observe with you. Watch your thoughts as you progress. Expertise embodiment in a brand new approach. And spot how your observe adjustments as you’re taking it off the cushion.
