A Staggering Seven Years Into My Meditation Journey, I Finally Explored a Walking Meditation
It may come as a shock, but after seven years of diligently adhering to my seated meditation practices, I finally stepped into the domain of walking meditation. This method, frequently eclipsed by its more stationary counterpart, revealed itself to be an enlightening journey, challenging my previous notions regarding meditation.
For numerous years, I regarded meditation as a mere checkbox on my to-do list — exclusively something I needed to conquer and mark off to attain a sense of daily achievement. This perspective cast meditation as a task, something that could be improperly “completed” instead of a genuine exploration of mindfulness.
In the early phases of my meditation odyssey, I believed that adhering to the “correct method” was crucial. Nevertheless, I eventually discovered that inflexibility can be confining, particularly in practices that are inherently personal and varied like meditation. Just because seated meditation was frequently depicted as the apex didn’t automatically imply it was universally the ideal choice for everyone at all times.
During seated meditations, even in distracting settings such as raucous apartments, I sharpened my focus by tuning out disturbances. Ironically, such obstacles evolved into chances to enhance my concentration. These experiences revealed a vital revelation — the turmoil around us can unexpectedly serve as a spur for profound meditation.
When I attempted walking meditation for the first time, I was instructed to focus on each step, experiencing the sensations linked to balance, muscle activation, and shifts from tension to ease. This demanded conscious recognition of subtle physical transformations, which I found surprisingly intuitive once I permitted myself to be fully present in movement. The physical act of walking acted as a grounding force that made entering mindful awareness feel remarkably natural.
Walking meditation provided an unforeseen connection between reflection and complete meditation. By initially focusing on our steps — referred to as ‘dharana’— we establish a foundation for transitioning into continuous mindful awareness, or ‘dhyana.’ This sequential methodology aligns with the gradual transition into deeper meditation states, adapting seamlessly to the dynamic nature of a walking practice.
The ease of access associated with walking meditation also emerges as a significant advantage, particularly in a fast-moving world. It gives meditation an added dimension — flexibility — making it an effortless addition for incorporating mindfulness into daily routines. As James Clear points out in his book “Atomic Habits,” simplifying the initiation of a habit often serves as the key to consistent practice. Walking meditations meet this standard by turning routine strolls into chances for mindfulness.
Throughout my meditation journey, exploring various approaches like walking meditation has significantly enhanced my comprehension and execution of mindfulness. This journey acts as a reminder that there is no one “right” path in meditation — only the one that resonates best with our present life circumstances and personal development.