A WAY TO WALK AND WANDER
Dear Friends
Mindfulness Meditation, in the context of Buddhist Practice (CITTA BHAVANA – Mind-Heart Development) is a practice purposed towards the development of Mental Calm, Clarity and Insight Wisdom; leading to the Minds Liberation – Freedom from stress and suffering.
Whilst Mindfulness Meditation is most appreciated and practiced in the sitting posture; it can if fact be practiced in all of the four main postures – Sitting, Walking, Standing and Lying down.
Whilst Winter may find us more inclined to sitting still with a shawl or blanket wrapped around us; now in Spring we may be more inclined to be up and about even outside to practice Mindfulness Meditation. This is where Walking Meditation can be a wonderful adjunct and complement to our Sitting Meditation, especially being outside in Nature on a beautiful Spring Day.
Walking Meditation which is also practiced and purposed towards Mental Calm, Clarity and Insight Wisdom, is more than simply mindful walking, which may take in a walk to some place, saying hello to friends along the way.
Walking Meditation is taking up a specific walking path between 10 to 20 meters long; inside a room, hallway, veranda, garden path, between two trees etc.
With our eyes open and looking about 2 meters ahead onto the ground; with hands clasped in front or behind; with a graceful balanced poised posture; we mindfully and slowly step forward. Here we can mindfully notice – feel and note the movements of each step: Lifting, Moving, Placing etc.
At the end of the designated distance we mindfully stop- noting Stopping, Standing, Turning – Turning – Turning and then continue back along the path.
Whilst we may formally designate some time in the day or week to practice some Walking Meditation; we may find that we have a few spare minutes in a suitable place, where we can mindfully make use of some Walking Meditation, to pace and pause, to walk and wander in the moment here and now.
I offer my Verse below as inspiration to take up this wonderful way to walk and wander!
Metta Regards
John B.
A WAY TO WALK AND WANDER
There is a way to walk and wander;
Well-trod by the worthy and the wise;
To always be just here and never yonder!
This way to walk and wonder, an ancient practice path;
That leads in one direction only;
Ultimate Freedom with no aftermath.
This practice is a way to walk and pace;
That brings Calm and Clarity with Mindful Insight;
To any and all of our Human Race.
This is a way to walk and wander;
That develops, knows and sees;
The nature of existence, through introspective ponder.
In walking forward and walking back;
We always arrive where we are;
On this straight, narrow and well-worn track.
A mindful walking that goes no-where,
Yet in being present we do find;
We are always just now-here!
Developing an Attention that is bare;
Objective Knowing, pure and simple;
That expresses great Clarity and great Care.
This clarity a protector of our welfare;
By enhancing Wisdom Insight;
And our Mind-Freedom so precious and rare.
It is a way to walk along a track;
We mindfully pace upon;
Then mindfully we turn and pace right back!
Always here and never there;
Free from mindless thought;
More clarity and presence to share.
This is this way to walk and wander;
Maintaining mind-body Peace and Presence;
An issue no longer!
