Most Westerners think of meditation as someone sitting down, cross legged with their eyes closed and probably chanting some kind of mantra over and over again.
But that is only one of the ways that people can practice meditation.
Meditating can also be performed standing up, lying down or walking.
Today, we're going to look at walking meditation. In this situation, the walking itself is the focus of your meditation, rather than a candle or a mantra or your breathing.
Obviously, depending on where the walking is taking place, you may also need to be aware of other external influences as well, such as joggers and cyclists.
In a walking meditation, you should concentrate on the actual experience of walking. Notice the pressure on each foot as it touches the ground and the relief of that pressure as your foot rises again. Take in the experience of the muscles in your legs. Notice when they tense up and when they relax. Feel the changes in your toes as they meet the ground. Recognize what is happening to your ankles as you walk along.
As well as the stress relief that a walking meditation naturally brings, you should also experience a feeling of energy and invigoration. Walking is a more active meditation than some other types (although breathing meditations can get pretty energetic as well, if you choose to let them). You also benefit from the exercise of walking, which is an aerobic exercise in itself. It follows that a walking meditation can be of overall benefit to your health and can even help keep you fit.
If the thought of sitting or lying down to meditate has put you off in the past, then taking the walking meditation course could be just the ticket. Give it a try and see how refreshed you feel afterwards!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Meditation in Texas
By: reddheart1 | 13-06-2008
In the state of Texas can you take the other party to court still if you are not agreeing on the papers that were signed by both parties during meditation. The final divoirce decree has not been signed yet, can something still be done.
Is the brain growth from meditation in the cerebrum or the cerebellum?
By: MaryiJane | 21-03-2008
IS the part of the brain that develops more the cerebellum or the cerebrum... I know people who've had surgery to remove skull because of a larger than normal brain and/or smaller than normal skull and vertebrae system. CHiari malformation it's called. I am assuming this is the cerebrum and not the cerebellum, but I'd thought I'd ask. =)
How long does a basic Reiki training take?
By: benedeti | 28-02-2008
How long does a basic Reiki training take?
Is creative Valentines day present best?
By: hemplover | 31-01-2008
Would signing my husband and I up for a meditation class be a good V-day present?
Meditation fot busy people
By: becky | 26-12-2007
Which type of meditation is the least time consuming? I'm thinking about trying it but I don't have a lot of free time.
Does meditation improve health?
By: zxcvb | 24-12-2007
Does meditation really improve people's health? Is there scientific evidence for this claim?
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