Walking Meditation

Flyte534

I am currently reading "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching" by Thich Nhat Hanh. He has made several references to walking meditation. Being new to Buddhism, I am familiar with sitting medition but do not know what occurs in walking meditiation.

How does walking meditiation proceed?

federica

"It does exactly what it says on the tin...."

basically, what you do is find yourself a nice straight path... through a field, by the woods, along a beach.... anywhere nice and fairly calm... (this is just one way, but obviously, others may come in with something different....) Start walking along a pre-determined length of 'path' - say, between two trees, or between three fence-posts around the field.... a short tract say about twenty feet or so.... then - just start walking, but be ABSOLUTELY mindful of every step - the feeling of lifting the foot, balancing on the other one, bringing the leg forward and re-placing it on the ground, and then doing the same with the other leg.... be absolutely where you are, and just focus on the act of moving, breathing and being.... at the end of your path, pause, and turn and do likewise....it's not as easy as it sounds, but then again, it's very simple!!

Brian

And don't pick a path for its scenery. The goal is to focus on your walking and on your breath. To be distracted by the pretty flowers or the breeze blowing through the tall grass is to defeat the purpose of the walking meditation. As federica said, be absolutely aware of every single bit of the experience of walking.

Flyte534

Many thanks for the replies. I also want to ask about becoming a Buddhist. I was raised in a Protestant faith and there are "confirmations" & "first communions", etc. I remember reading something in another Buddhist discussion group that said to become Buddhist there is a ceremony where one accepts the Three Jewels. Am I even close? What is this like? What does it involve?

federica

(Do you remember that phrase? We used to say it all the time when I was a schoolgirl!!)

Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels is as simple as anything could be. All you need is you; and the Right Intention... which handily, is the second Precept of the Eightfold Path....!

There is a ceremony, should you decide you want it, which does involve a temple, monks, incense, and what-have-you... but another equally valid and accepted method - the one I took as at the time, I had no other way - was simply to recite the Three Jewels, which I chose to do, three times, and quietly devote myself to being Buddhist.
I will tell you exactly what I did. I got this out of a book by a Tibetan Lama, originally an American Jew (his mother calls him the Deli Lama.... and he suggested this way, which I did;

have a little table, with a small candle, an image of the Buddha (remember, you're not worshipping the 'Fat Guy'... he just serves as a reminder that, as he did and was, so can you....) and a stick of incense...
say the following:

I take refuge in the Buddha, the Enlightened Teacher;
I commit myself to Enlightenment.

I take refuge in the Dharma, the Spiritual teachings;
I commit myself to the Truth as it is.

I take refuge in the Sangha, the Spiritual Community;
I commit myself to Living the Enlightened Life.

The words in Pali, are simply:

Buddham Saranam Gacchami
Dhammam Saranam Gacchami
Sangham Saranam Gacchami

They simply mean:

I take refuge in the Buddha
I take refuge in the Dharma
I take refuge in the Sangha

(From "You don't have to sit on the floor" Author: Jim Pym.)

Saying just this, in whatever way or language you choose, is just as valid.... the choice is yours....

You don't have to do anything that goes against the grain. Do what feels right for you, but do it with a sincere intention and a loving heart. Towards Yourself.

Others are sure to offer different options.... read, enjoy and proceed as you see fit.

dee60

Thank you for this information...
I find for me walking meditation works better for me and it's nice to know that
I'm seem to be doing it right.

DaltheJigsaw

Thank you!