| In the yoga Sutras, he says there are three | | | | looking and noticing everything, because I've |
| steps to meditation. Dharana, Dhyana, and | | | | always been very aware of everything around |
| Samadhi. Translated as concentration, meditation, | | | | me. But now, even when I walk I can focus on |
| and bliss or absorption. We all need to start with | | | | my breathing or I can repeat my mantra as my |
| the concentration on one object, whether that be | | | | point of concentration, This helps keep the mind |
| a physical object or a mantra which you repeat | | | | clear and connected to the higher source within |
| to yourself. The point of focus could literally be | | | | and also takes my mind off those steep hills! |
| anything as long as it is not negative and feels | | | | One of my fellow teachers told a story about a |
| uplifting in some way. Many people choose | | | | man she saw walking in San Francisco bouncing a |
| observing the breathing, or practicing mindfulness. | | | | big, red rubber ball down the street. This was |
| Thich Nat Hahn, the famous Vietnamese sage, | | | | what he used to concentrate on, as it takes |
| brought walking meditation to the masses and I | | | | some agility to bounce a ball and walk at the |
| feel it is a simple and useful way to practice | | | | same time in a busy city. When you are |
| active meditation. We all know how difficult it is to | | | | completely focused for long periods of time |
| sit and practice, but we can practice Dharana | | | | without incoming thought, then you are meditating |
| while we walk. I know when I walk I'm always | | | | or in the next phase, dyhana. |