Did you know there are forms of meditation where you don’t sit still? When people hear about meditation, many think this means sitting on the floor, cross-legged, and connecting with your breath.
Meditation is much more than that. Meditation means deliberately maintaining awareness of the current moment. A great opportunity for this is when you sit still and breathe. But there are many more opportunities for you to train your awareness.
We already talked about cooking as an a space to practice mindfulness. Other opportunities are when you are cleaning or eating. But my favorite meditation, apart from sitting, is walking.
When we’re walking, we can take our steps as the objects of focus. It does not matter if you walk fast or slow, as long as you can stay aware of your steps. Notice the rhythm and feel your feet on the ground. Be aware of your surroundings and keep a sense of wonder. When your mind wanders, come back to your footsteps.
Walking meditation is called kinhin and is practiced in several forms of Buddhism. It is complementing zazen, the sitting meditation.
“People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child—our own two eyes. All is a miracle.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh
Reading Recommendations
The Value of Minimalism - Personal Growth - Medium
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Imagine you are meeting a friend for dinner at a new restaurant. You may try dishes you haven’t had before, and your surroundings will be completely new to you. However, your brain knows that you have had similar experiences — perusing a menu, ordering appetizers, and splurging on dessert are all things that you have probably done when dining out.
The Bus Factor: Life for Open-Source Projects After a Developer's Death | WIRED
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Weekly Mindfulness Practice
Do a walking meditation. You can do this the next time you go outside, or inside your apartment. Start by walking slowly and focusing on the sensations of each step for a few minutes. Increase your pace over time until you reach a comfortable walking speed. When your mind wanders, return to the sensations in your feet.
End note
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Have a great week
Simon
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