5 Steps to Walking Meditation

Meditation has always been associated with solitude, tranquility, and physical inactivity. When one talks of meditation, you may usually come up with a scenario in which a person finds a secluded area, closes his eyes in silence, and rests his body while working his mind out. Does meditation always have to be like this?

1. What is Meditation?

Meditation is an art. A method. A skill. A process. It is the art of keeping in touch with yourself, of discovering your entirety and the many facets of your being. It is also a skill that must be developed. It requires discipline and right mindset. You cannot simply think that you will meditate and expect to achieve a result right after. This requires the tuning of one’s consciousness. Meditation typically involves a set of procedures and guidelines to be followed. Typically, the success of the activity will depend on the adherence to the given principles and rules.

2. What is Walking Meditation?

One interesting form of meditation that deviates from the old and traditional concept is walking meditation. Walking meditation is slightly different from other forms of meditation . For one, you will not have to be physically inactive to do it. In fact, you need to move and be active – you need to walk! You have to actively engage your mind and your body in this activity in order to experience a holistic positive result. This brings another benefit. Since walking is a daily activity, you can actually grow by meditation everyday!

3. Where Can I do It?

You also don’t have to find a quiet, secluded place just so you can meditate. Anywhere will do. Actually, a noisy and crowded place is even encouraged. Here is where the challenge lies. Concentration is important and awareness must be focused. You must not allow the outer world to bind your mind into it – by the things that you see, hear, or whatever you perceive. You may be aware of them, but you must guard not to do anything about them. Do not cling to anything.

4. How Do I Do It?

The guiding principle behind walking meditation is achieving a balanced awareness: an equilibrium, between your inner self and the world surrounding you. This meditation will invite you to feel your entire body and all the parts of the body. While doing this, you also have to take notice of your emotions and your mood. These are all done while you walk. The outside world need not be lost in your focus.

Just start to walk, breathe in and out, and become aware of what is inside and part of you and that which is not. There will always be stuff that will catch your attention as you meditate, and you don’t need to resist. You are not to hang on to these, though. You have to let them pass by, observing them without doing anything at all.

5. Becoming Aware

This is the real sense of awareness. The ideal result of walking meditation is the person’s consciousness of the outside world while being completely aware of his inner self. When this is achieved, many of the puzzles and complexities of life will become clearer and simpler. Life won’t seem like such a struggle 🙂 By bridging the gap between what is within and what is outside of yourself and your control, you will be able to take full control of your life and enjoy a healthier and a more contented life.