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Walking Meditation
Kotishka
Veteran
Walking meditation is misrepresented!
Sitting is the absolute favourite, no doubt. People associate meditation to the cushion, not to walking. But it is such a powerful practice.
This morning, early, I felt like meditating and began walking in shashu. I noticed the same though I felt less agitated and uncomfortable than sitting. I guess the walking does soothe a bit the mental fantasy and the discomfort it faces when you need to remain still.
What is your experience? Any advice?
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Comments
Ajahn Chah advised monks to train all the four basic postures: lying down, sitting, standing and walking. He said this advice came from the Buddha, that the idea was to make them all good.
Walking meditation is a fundamental tool in extending one's development of meditation from physical stillness into the activity of daily life.
Ya know, for all those times when meditation within some form of life's movement is what's called for.
It also helps the practitioner learn how to not limit the activity of meditation to some external dependence upon a state of physical stillness.
I prefer walking to sitting…any day
I first learned this technique at Magnolia Grove, taught by TNH. It changed everything for me.
🙏🏻
It has been said that meditation practice begins when one leaves the cushion...
My main meditation these days is loving-kindness. I find that doing loving-kindness when out and about (walking on the street, in public transport, in a shop...) is even better than during formal sitting + it gives me something productive to do while "having nothing to do". I like it very much and am grateful for it.
Right feet down, left feet down...
So much day dreaming.
walk slower. sit taller. Chew mindfulness.
I likes walking, so much to see, hear and witness. I also walk fast for health. If you are a punk Buddhist; POGO! 🤓
Yes, and that's true. However, in this saying, "Cushion" is a figure of speech.
In the Shambhala tradition as well as some Kagyu group with ties, walking meditation is included in group practices longer than 30 minute. In group sessions, every 25 minutes or so, the Umdze calls walking meditation for about 5 minutes. It serves to give the meditators a leg stretch, while maintaining meditation. Plus, it's good practice.
I used to do walking meditation on the walk from the bus stop after work to my house - about 20 minutes. There was a small park with a stream about half way. I would stop and do sitting practice next to the stream for about 20 minutes, using the water as an object.