A Walk With Mindfulness

A Walk With Mindfulness

The weather is finally beginning to turn, and as the temperatures slowly rise, we yearn to be outside. Morning walks or evening strolls, getting out of doors feels good to our bodies and our souls. The greening of the Earth, the play of sunlight across our path, they begin to fill that place in us which feels like it has been asleep for a very long time. Every doctor in town prescribes walking to keep us healthy, manage weight, and strengthen our heart. But what about our inner world, that place deeper than the bones, muscles, and vital organs? You may have experienced that place before, especially on those first outings after the long winter. As you take in the beauty of the flora and fauna, or simply wave to a friend not seen in a while, our heart quickens and our soul feels alive. 

Mindful walking can be very methodical, moving is extremely slow and places all of our awareness on the lifting and falling of our feet. It is often the kind of walk that does not need to cover much ground. It’s the act of walking and the awareness of sensations from that movement which consume our attention, or one point of concentration. This type of mindfulness walk is pleasing to many people, it is often their main method of practice. It is also a great way to start a different type of mindfulness walk which involves following a path and using the experiences from all of our senses to see the world with a wider lens.

Like all mindfulness practices, walking allows us to limit our distractions. There is no phone to answer or email to write, no dinner to cook or laundry to fold. We can take in the world around us in the present moment. The method is simple, find your favorite street or trail, even your own backyard, and set off on your own adventure. The pace should be slower than your walk for exercise, but the rewards will be many. Let the experiences of your senses be your guide. Feel the sun warm your body, let your feet absorb the textures of the path, your skin detects the breeze, your nose smells the earth and plants, and maybe a bird breaks the silence with a song. Stay with each of these sensations, let them be your singular focus.

Do not judge an experience as good or bad, it just is, you are experiencing the present moment. A horn blaring or someone shouting is all part of your experience, let them blend with the other sounds around you. Soon, what you hear is a symphony of sounds. This is the soundtrack of your walk. 

You can practice mindful walking any time of year, for any length of time, and any place you might find yourself. However, in Central Virginia, Spring walks are especially sweet. Get outside and take a walk.