We
often hear how much the world has changed in the past 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30
years or more depending on whom you speak with.
That
viewpoint has never made much sense to me, even as a child. And as an adult now
with more experience, I still maintain that view. We still face the same stress
and anxiety today that our parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and so on
did. True, technology may have changed during that time, but the stress,
anxiety, and basic responses are the same.
We
each need to eat and drink each day. We need to provide shelter for ourselves
and perhaps a family. We all need to have some form of clothing to protect us
from the weather. We all need to feel the sense of security and safety a
community provides. Having these basic needs met in well balanced
proportion allows each of us to reduce or minimize our stress.
So
when our access to the most basic needs seems to have been interrupted how do
we proceed and return to balance?
This
is where the effective walking meditation may be used. But to use this form of
meditation effectively one has to realize the need and benefits of this
non-action or non-doing. When times of stress or anxiety arise, it's time for
walking meditation.
When
we become skillful with our awareness of the present moment walking meditation
allows us to negate the immediate 'fight or flight' response. As a result, we
institute mindful reflection of our circumstance with questions such as: is
this situation as dire as it seems? Have I encountered a situation like this
before? I made it through then and I'll make it through now.
Walking
meditation may be enjoyed anywhere, not just in a peaceful park, garden, or
forest. Places like a city block, your office building, or even shopping mall
or grocery store are just as ideal. The important aspect of the walking
meditation is bringing awareness to your surroundings. With each slow step
breathing in and out with kind attention to any sensation in your nostrils such
as the coolness of the air during your in-breath and the warmth during your
out-breath.
Knowing
that in that very moment you have everything you need, nothing more and nothing
less.
If
you are enjoying your walking meditation in a office look at the carpet or
walls every so often. Do you see any imperfections like a snag in the carpet or
peeling paint in a corner? How often have you walked by there without ever even
noticing? There will always be some form of imperfection but the carpet still
functions as required preventing people from slipping as they walk. The wall
still stands and provides support for the building and perhaps even has some
beautiful artwork hanging.
Walking
meditation allows us to reconnect with what’s most precious, life. We are alive
in that present moment and that is a gift in itself. The past is gone, and we
may never return there. The future does not exist as we conceptualize it to be.
And therefore, the ‘troubles’ we face, no matter how severe we may initially
think, truly aren’t as severe as we give them credit for.
Wishing you continued peace and wellbeing,
Vladimir
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