Introduction to Walking Meditation
This web page briefly outlines instructions on how to do a moving meditation, using walking as an exemplar. It can be accessed anywhere at anytime, for teachers and students alike, to help them get the most of their break times and practice mindfulness in relaxed settings while constituting a form of self-care. Walking meditation was first introduced to me when I attended several Chan Buddhist retreats in Ontario. Unlike traditional forms of meditation which often may involve sitting in one place, walking meditation uses the sensations of the moving body as the focal point through which the meditator rests her mind. Walking meditation does not require folding the legs or other special posture and, for some, might constitute a less painful alternative to sitting meditation. Although studies confirm the benefits of walking as a physical exercise, they less frequently touch upon the effects of walking on mental and emotional health. A good walk outdoors has many...