| Most Westerners think of meditation as someone | | | | your legs. Notice when they tense up and when |
| sitting down, cross legged with their eyes closed | | | | they relax. Feel the changes in your toes as they |
| and probably chanting some kind of mantra over | | | | meet the ground. Recognize what is happening to |
| and over again. | | | | your ankles as you walk along. |
| But that is only one of the ways that people can | | | | As well as the stress relief that a walking |
| practice meditation. | | | | meditation naturally brings, you should also |
| Meditating can also be performed standing up, | | | | experience a feeling of energy and invigoration. |
| lying down or walking. | | | | Walking is a more active meditation than some |
| Today, we're going to look at walking meditation. | | | | other types (although breathing meditations can |
| In this situation, the walking itself is the focus of | | | | get pretty energetic as well, if you choose to let |
| your meditation, rather than a candle or a mantra | | | | them). You also benefit from the exercise of |
| or your breathing. | | | | walking, which is an aerobic exercise in itself. It |
| Obviously, depending on where the walking is | | | | follows that a walking meditation can be of overall |
| taking place, you may also need to be aware of | | | | benefit to your health and can even help keep |
| other external influences as well, such as joggers | | | | you fit. |
| and cyclists. | | | | If the thought of sitting or lying down to meditate |
| In a walking meditation, you should concentrate | | | | has put you off in the past, then taking the |
| on the actual experience of walking. Notice the | | | | walking meditation course could be just the ticket. |
| pressure on each foot as it touches the ground | | | | Give it a try and see how refreshed you feel |
| and the relief of that pressure as your foot rises | | | | afterwards! |
| again. Take in the experience of the muscles in | | | | |