Walking Meditation is a wonderful way of establishing calm within ourselves and getting nourished by the wonders of life. Saying “Yes” and “Thank You” to the present moment as we kiss Mother Earth with our feet, and coordinating our breathing with our steps, can be a healing practice for both the Earth and ourselves.
Wherever we walk, we can practice meditation. This means that we know that we are walking. We walk just for walking. We walk with freedom and solidity, no longer in a hurry. We are not lost in our thinking - about what has just happened or what will happen later, or tomorrow. We are fully present with each step in the here and now.
Walking in this way should not be a privilege. We should be able to do it in every moment. Look around and see the wonders of life - the trees, the white clouds, the limitless sky. Listen to the birds. Feel the fresh breeze. Life is all around and we are alive and healthy and capable of walking in peace.
Let us walk as a free person and feel our steps get lighter. Let us enjoy every step we make. Each step is nourishing and healing. As we walk, imprint our gratitude and our love on the earth.
We may like to silently recite a practice poem as we walk. Taking two or three steps for each in-breath and three or four steps for each out-breath:
(Breathing in) “I have arrived” (out) “I am home”
(in) “In the here” (out) “In the now”
(in) “I am solid” (out) “I am free”
(in) “In the ultimate” (out) “I dwell”