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You must be aware of the many health benefits of walking but what if this basic form of human physical activity was to be combined with meditation. Yes, walking meditation is a thing. A bit of a wonder practice to give a try.
You might have this image of meditation done in a cross legged seated position, but walking meditation is a form of meditation in action.
Walking meditation also known as mindful walking is rather an active practice that involves conscious awareness and movement in the environment rather than sitting down with eyes closed. It is a simple and comfortable form of meditation practice that can be particularly valuable for beginners or anyone who prefers a more active form of meditation.
Walking Meditation can be practiced regularly, before or after sitting meditation or anytime on its own after a busy day at work or on a lazy Sunday morning. Even walking to and from your car, while walking down the street or while going shopping can be an opportunity for a few minutes of walking meditation. It can be easily integrated in our schedule since walking is something that most of us do every day.
Isn’t walking meditation a superb way to health? In fact, it’s an easier way to start with meditation. Let’s find out more about this meditation practice that is contrary to the usual seated meditation.
The art of walking meditation is to be aware as you walk. It is more than a simple stroll in the park. The walking meditation technique uses the natural movement of walking to cultivate mindfulness and wakeful presence. It is usually done in much slower steps than regular normal walks. Walking meditation has its origin in Buddhism. Meditation while walking is a good practice for beginners and even advanced practitioners.
Walking is a simple and universal practice for developing calm, connectedness and embodied awareness. Walking meditation can give all the benefits of a mindful meditation. Inclusion of meditation with walking practice helps the mind get away from distractions and give a better clarity of things. Unlike seated meditation, in walking meditation our eyes are open, the body is standing and moving, and there is interaction with the outside world. The movement of the body makes it easier to be mindful of the body sensations in the present moment.
For your first attempt you can find a park or an open space to be able walk for 20 minutes without interruption. You can practice at home first and gradually extend your mindful walking in an informal way whenever
Mindful walking can bring a host of benefits compared with its seated counterparts. Here are some of the many walking meditation benefits.
Building the habit of walking meditation will give you all the benefits of mindfulness meditation, but your body is more active. It’s an excellent way to engage all your physical senses much more.