There are many and varied forms of meditation available to each of us on this pathway through our lives. If we consider the formal meditation practices of Yoga then we are familiar with Yoga Nidra. Yoga Nidra seeks to awaken the connection between mind, body and soul. ‘Nidra’ meaning sleep is a deep relaxation form of Yoga. It is a sleep like state, however with full consciousness where the focus is on the inner awareness and uses the whole body.
The benefits of meditation vary for the practitioner and are simple relaxation, through to a deep, blissful surrender to the Divine.
Here we will explore the benefits of Walking Meditation. Walking mindfully is a way to become aware of your self within your world. A connection between what we are as a mind and a body and then a connection to something higher, our soul and the Divine. Many cultures use walking meditations as a way of connecting with the Higher Self and with the Divine. In many religious cultures sacred pilgrimages are part of an honouring of the sacred sites and the immersion of the self on a journey of honour. The Australian Aborigines went on Walkabout as a recreation of the ancestral journey. In Nepal walking meditations have been practiced for millennia and with the Nepalese walking meditation tradition being in a circle, there are paths worn in the bedrock of the Himalayas in places.
Meditative walking allows you to be quiet on the inside while you are moving your body. Become aware of the breath and the regular movement of air into and out of the lungs. The contact you make with the earth allows you to feel a deep sense of joy and completeness. The calming rhythm of walking resembles the back and forth movement of a swing, a rocking chair, a cradle and if you stop and consider, the rhythm reminds us of being in the womb. If you add a peaceful setting for your walking meditation you will become aware of natural sounds that help to bring calm awareness. You can fill our senses with the smell of your surroundings and mindfully become aware of the caress of a breeze or the taste of salt in the air if you are at the beach. If you surrender to the task of mindful walking your focus changes from needless mind chatter and you are able to be fully present in each moment. As you become more mindfully aware of your surroundings and the beauty and grandeur of our natural earth your mind settles, your body relaxes and you gain a sense of being at one with the Universe. Your heart begins to sing with peace and joy and you are transported into a state of bliss.
Practice:
- Set yourself a 21 day program to practice Walking Meditation for 15 minutes a day. Ritualise your practice with the following:
- To start: Stand still and anchor into Mother Earth with Tadasana (Mountain Pose), feeling your connection to the Earth through your feet.
- As you commence walking, do so in silence.
- For the first 2 minutes of your practice, count the length of your inhale and the length of your exhale, ensuring the breath is even.
- Notice how Mother Earth supports your body weight and be aware of when the feet press and release from the Earth.
- Walk as lightly as possible upon the Earth – towards the end of the 21 days, you will feel as if you are floating upon the Earth
- Become aware of internal sensations – physically and emotionally, as well as fluctuations within your thoughts and connection to your soul. Observe these sensations with non-judgment – do not seek to change these sensations or thought patterns or spiritual state – just observe and be present.
- Become aware of external sounds and visuals without judgment of ‘right or wrong’.
- Take note or journal the changes you go through over the 21 days.
- Repeat this 21 day practice often or simply continue to do your Walking Meditation everyday as part of your daily soul rituals.
- You may also like to practice creative Walking Meditation techniques such as labyrinth offered in various meditation or garden centres.
by
Zoe Fields
