Interestingly this is second newsletter about walking I read today. Fascinating how walking - an ordinary movement - can be viewed and experienced in different ways. My walking meditation experience so far has always been part of some course. I have enjoyed joining mindfulness and walking. I have been to one day silent retreat twice. Loved both times. Wishing you a lovely Sunday!
I love walking meditations. I also use a 5 sense technique to observe things around me when my mind is particularly busy and trying to figuratively trip me up. Thanks for sharing this ❤️ next on my list is a silent retreat!
Such a great reminder Kate! Walking meditation is all about intention and keeping that intention going for the duration of the session. I used to walk a lot by the sea, year after year but when I look back there was nothing healing in that experience at all. I was either listening to some books on psychology or other things going under the umbrella of learning or numbing my mind while listening to political dialogue or various monologues on similar topics. The walk was bringing nothing but tiredness in the legs and a satisfaction connected to the number of steps I was doing. It was a competition with myself. It is obvious but hey obvious is a funny word ..... that walking with intention and being in the present aka mindful walking is something totally different. One can do this in a small space and also in a bigger one. So a long message saying I will think about starting a walking meditation practice. I remember Thich Nhat Hanh delivering interesting talks on this subject. Thanks a lot for writing the article!
Thank you for sharing ♥️ I do this in my garden my garden is my little sanctuary when I get so in my head I go into the garden and before I know it I’m out my head. 🪴
I'm such an expert at cramming a podcast into my ears for my walks...this is such a valuable reminder to stay with yourself, be with yourself. And I know when I do this, it's when the magic happens. Will 100% be trying this this week (I REALLY want to listen to Claire Venus' podcast with Suzy Walker today ;))
Hi Kate, I just saw your post and thought, "Wow, we're on the same wavelength!" as I also wrote a post with the same title this afternoon. A walking meditation is powerful for practicing presence, and it demonstrates to me how noisy my mind can be. Thank you for your writing!
Since this is last post from Kate I can answer , To all thinking about joining You should . We all will disagree with some of it , like anything in life , Yet Kate Asks right out what we think . so please join if you can afford it . hello Kate , I have tried silent retreats in the past they worked well for me , Yet or me know mine would be in a very quiet park down the street , which works just as well . As for walking meditation .Years ago I might of tried it . Know I can't because of health . same reason I can't be paid member on your site . Hugs and peace to you Kate . keep doing what you do to help all
I was on a silent retreat for 4 days in the mid 1990s. I had never felt so beautifully calm and grounded. I love walking meditation, and definitely use those ideas when I go for a walk. I love that you are moving, yet completely focused. That's how I feel about swimming too.
Let me know your thoughts, and how you get on with walking meditation? Have you tried it? Would you consider a silent retreat?
Interestingly this is second newsletter about walking I read today. Fascinating how walking - an ordinary movement - can be viewed and experienced in different ways. My walking meditation experience so far has always been part of some course. I have enjoyed joining mindfulness and walking. I have been to one day silent retreat twice. Loved both times. Wishing you a lovely Sunday!
Thanks Terje, how interesting! It’s such a lovely meditation practice!
I love walking meditations. I also use a 5 sense technique to observe things around me when my mind is particularly busy and trying to figuratively trip me up. Thanks for sharing this ❤️ next on my list is a silent retreat!
I shared a post about that too. I recommend Gaia House in Devon, it’s a lovely place 🧡
That’s the one that’s on my bucket list. I need to make that dream a reality ;)
They do one day and weekend retreats too
Ooo, I'm going to try this, good idea! Yes, a silent retreat sounds wonderful! Could you recommend any? I'm in Hampshire x
I’ve only been to Gaia House in Devon, which I loved, you have to be used to meditation or mindfulness first 🧡
Thank you 🙏
Such a great reminder Kate! Walking meditation is all about intention and keeping that intention going for the duration of the session. I used to walk a lot by the sea, year after year but when I look back there was nothing healing in that experience at all. I was either listening to some books on psychology or other things going under the umbrella of learning or numbing my mind while listening to political dialogue or various monologues on similar topics. The walk was bringing nothing but tiredness in the legs and a satisfaction connected to the number of steps I was doing. It was a competition with myself. It is obvious but hey obvious is a funny word ..... that walking with intention and being in the present aka mindful walking is something totally different. One can do this in a small space and also in a bigger one. So a long message saying I will think about starting a walking meditation practice. I remember Thich Nhat Hanh delivering interesting talks on this subject. Thanks a lot for writing the article!
Thank you for sharing ♥️ I do this in my garden my garden is my little sanctuary when I get so in my head I go into the garden and before I know it I’m out my head. 🪴
How lovely to have a space like that Emma, we all need a sanctuary ✨
I'm such an expert at cramming a podcast into my ears for my walks...this is such a valuable reminder to stay with yourself, be with yourself. And I know when I do this, it's when the magic happens. Will 100% be trying this this week (I REALLY want to listen to Claire Venus' podcast with Suzy Walker today ;))
Haha I think it’s nice to walk with a podcast too, just fir the enjoyment. But this helps us tame our unruly minds!
Hi Kate, I just saw your post and thought, "Wow, we're on the same wavelength!" as I also wrote a post with the same title this afternoon. A walking meditation is powerful for practicing presence, and it demonstrates to me how noisy my mind can be. Thank you for your writing!
Yes it can get so noisy in our minds can’t it! What a lovely coincidence!
Since this is last post from Kate I can answer , To all thinking about joining You should . We all will disagree with some of it , like anything in life , Yet Kate Asks right out what we think . so please join if you can afford it . hello Kate , I have tried silent retreats in the past they worked well for me , Yet or me know mine would be in a very quiet park down the street , which works just as well . As for walking meditation .Years ago I might of tried it . Know I can't because of health . same reason I can't be paid member on your site . Hugs and peace to you Kate . keep doing what you do to help all
Thanks so much, I’ve extended you subscription, you are welcome here!
Thank you so much, Kate , you have helped me a lot .Hugs and peace
I was on a silent retreat for 4 days in the mid 1990s. I had never felt so beautifully calm and grounded. I love walking meditation, and definitely use those ideas when I go for a walk. I love that you are moving, yet completely focused. That's how I feel about swimming too.
Mindful swimming is lovely too, all your senses awake!
What a beautiful practice
Enjoy Paolo! 🐇
I think they are both valid experiences, though the intentional walking is therapeutic and deliberate as you say. Thank you Karina!