Yes, for those who can’t sit still. Ready to get Zen? In walking meditation, called “kinhin” in the Zen tradition, practitioners move slowly and continuously while staying aware of the body and mind. In the practice of mindful walking, you place your entire awareness in the process of walking. Walking meditation is a more practical approach to mindfulness meditation for people who are not used to meditation while sitting. 

Here are few things you can so to practice mindful walking meditation

  1. Firstly find a unobstructed space where you can walk for about ten feet. This is the instruction given in Satipatthana Sutta itself. It’s also recommended to walk bare feet as it brings more awareness to what happens in the body when you’re walking. Bring your awareness down to your feet. Notice the sensations here. Shift your weight from your left leg to your right leg. 
  2. Secondly shift your weight from your left leg to your right leg. Lift your head and look straight ahead and hold your chest high. You can hold your hands loosely to the side or clasp them behind your back. Now being the process of walking. Extend the right leg forward and notice the weight redistribution.
  3. Final step is that as the weight shifts forward, notice how the heel of your left leg begins to lift. Swing the left leg forward and repeat. At the end of the walking path, come to a complete stop and take a deep mindful breath. Now turnaround and walk to the other side following the same practice. To start with, practice mindful walking for 5 mins and gradually increase the duration. 

Satipatthana Sutta, a widely studies discourse in Theraveda Buddhism, lays the foundation of mindfulness meditation practice. In Kaya Sutta, walking is one of the postures to be mindful of along with sitting, standing and lying down. 

18 responses to “Walking Meditation”

  1. I love walking. Whenever I walk somewhere, anywhere, I feel better during and afterwards.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s relaxing. Waking on ground or grass bare foot in the morning has healing properties. It grounds you.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I’ve read about it. I love walking barefoot.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. I love walking a labyrinth!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Its a beautiful calming experience.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. You took the words right out of my mouth. A good labyrinth walk is a meditation in itself. There are whole sites devoted to listing them, and there’s very likely one or two within easy distance.

      Liked by 1 person

    3. I have found that, when practicing walking meditation, I feel rather regal. Holding the posture with my spine straight, being mindful of my crown chakra, I feel like a queen!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Walking meditation has origins in Buddhism and can be used as part of a mindfulness practice. The technique has many possible benefits and may help you to feel more grounded, balanced, and serene. It also helps you to develop a different awareness of your surroundings, body, and thoughts.

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  3. This is great! I never thought about this.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Walking meditation is more than a simple stroll in the park. It is usually done much slower than normal walks, and involves either coordination with the breathing, or specific focusing practices. It looks more like meditation than like walking.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks for the information.:)

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Walking is my kind of therapy. It brings calmness to a chaotic mind and helps me focus. Thanks for sharing this piece ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Unlike seated meditation, when walking your eyes are open, body is standing and moving, and there is a bit more interaction with the outside world. Because the body is moving, it is easier to be mindful of the body sensations and anchored in the present moment; for this reason, many people find walking meditation easier than seated meditation.

      Liked by 2 people

  5. Best therapy out there, thanks for the knowledge

    Liked by 1 person

  6. I love your posts! Thanks

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You are most welcome. Many of us walk for the sole purpose of getting from one place to another. Now suppose we are walking to a sacred place. We would walk quietly and take each gentle step with reverence. I propose that we walk this way every time we walk on the earth. The earth is sacred and we touch her with each step. We should be very respectful, because we are walking on our mother. If we walk like that, then every step will be grounding, every step will be nourishing.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yes it’s the mindfulness that is so peaceful in the walking meditations. Must do more of them! Thank you

        Liked by 1 person

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