| What is Meditation? | | | | you walk as long as it is a place that is calm and |
| Walking meditation uses many of the ideas that | | | | relaxing. A park or a nature trail will work or you |
| are used in traditional meditation. The following | | | | can just walk around your home. |
| suggestions will help you with the basics of | | | | 3. Monitor your pace. You will probably walk faster |
| meditation: | | | | some sessions and slower at other times and |
| Make sure you have at least a half an hour | | | | that is fine. If you begin faster and slow down, |
| to practice meditation. | | | | you will feel more natural and your body will feel |
| Stay focused on breathing. | | | | more balanced. |
| Stay quiet if possible so you can focus better. | | | | 4. Watch the time. After about 30 minutes, you |
| Stay in the present moment. | | | | are ready for your meditation to be over. That is |
| Let things flow as they will. | | | | long enough for you to get the meditation |
| Listen to what your mind is telling you via | | | | benefits and also the benefit of exercise. Slow |
| energy. | | | | down your walking and then stand still for a little |
| What is Walking Meditation? | | | | bit. Continue to monitor your breathing and keep |
| There are a few basic differences between | | | | calm. |
| walking meditation and regular meditation. Most | | | | Meditation and Day to Day Tasks |
| obvious is the idea of moving around instead of | | | | You need to have some experience with walking |
| sitting still. This helps people who need to move | | | | meditation before you can meditate and do day |
| around to focus and think clearly. This meditation, | | | | to day tasks. When you practice this type of |
| when you get better at it, can be done while you | | | | meditation, you get used to moving and being |
| are also doing other things that need to be done. | | | | active while meditating. It is not a good idea to |
| If you cannot spare a half an hour, you can | | | | try new or unfamiliar tasks while you are doing |
| eventually accomplish your tasks while you are | | | | walking meditation. You can, however, start your |
| doing this type of meditation. | | | | day with it or practice it on your lunch hour at |
| The following suggestions will help you get the | | | | work. |
| most out of your experience: | | | | Monitor How You Feel Emotionally |
| 1. Begin in a standing position. Do not start moving | | | | Both walking meditation and traditional meditation |
| immediately. Remain calm and let your breathing | | | | help you be more in touch with your emotions. |
| become regular. When you are calm, you can | | | | Often, we do not recognize our true emotions |
| start to walk. You can spend as little or as much | | | | and repressing them causes us to be angry and |
| time as you need to begin. Everyone will be | | | | to act out. Walking meditation can bring up these |
| different. | | | | hidden emotions so it helps you release them in a |
| 2. Decide where you are going. Before you begin, | | | | healthy and calming way. The more you do this |
| think about where you want to walk. Otherwise, | | | | meditation, the more you will find that it helps you |
| you will not focus on the meditation but on | | | | stay refreshed, inspired, and motivated in your |
| deciding where to go. It does not matter where | | | | daily life. |