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“I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth.”
– Thich Nhat Hanh Walking Meditation to Connect with Ourselves and Mother Earth Wherever we walk, we can practice meditation. This means that we know that we are walking. We walk without thinking of our destination or why we may be going somewhere. We walk just for walking, enjoying the touch of each step upon the earth. We walk with freedom and solidity, no longer in a hurry. We are present with each step. We can do this walking meditation whether we are in or out of our homes. We use our breath as a vehicle to guide us during walking meditation. We are free to choose the pace at which we walk. It could be as slow as one step during an in and out breath. Or we could take two or three steps for each in breath and out breath. Regardless of the pace, we focus on the feeling of our foot as it contacts the earth, the way our weight is shifting from one leg to the other, our sense of balance. If we are outdoors, we can feel free to look around and see how vast life is, the trees, the white clouds, the limitless sky. We listen to the birds, feel the fresh breeze. We see that life is all around and we are alive and capable of walking in peace. We walk as a free person and feel our steps get lighter enjoying every step we make. As we walk, we imprint our gratitude and our love on the earth. If we are walking with someone, we walk in silence. When we wish to talk to the other person, we stop our movement and give our full attention to the other person, to our words and to listening. Once we are done talking, we can resume our silent walking. Walking with the sangha, the sangha body moves together -- silently and mindfully-- like a flowing stream. Step in harmony with the rhythms of your natural breath, adjusting your pace as necessary to stay with the group We may like to recite silently, as we walk: Breathing in “I have arrived”; Breathing out “I am home” Breathing in “In the here”; Breathing out “In the now” Breathing in “I am solid”; Breathing out “I am free” Breathing in “In the ultimate”; Breathing out “I dwell” Silent walking meditation is an integral part of the weekly Sunday practice at the MPCH. |