Walking into Calm
By Sue Hargreaves
My garden is my sanctuary, so when I am troubled , that is where I go. A look out of the window on wet days may not be ideal , but when the weather is kind, a gaze out and a plan to get outside is so uplifting.
The seasons bring their challenge, and in winter we tend to hibernate more, but it is important both for our mental and physical health to get out and let the light shine on us.Visiting other gardens and open spaces on a beautiful day, walking and taking in the smells, sights and sounds brings me a new perspective on things.
Walking in the garden and open spaces help to bring me to a place of calm and freedom from the pressures of life. To see beyond the strictures of an increasingly technological world and find a deeper, yet simpler kind of oneness with nature by opening up both heart and mind, to allow a deep seated connection with the earth.
We walk daily- a few steps or a few miles and our mind tends to get caught up in where we are going or coming from.
Walking meditation is a practice we can develop either in the home, garden or anywhere. We need 12-20 feet (4-6 metres) for a walking meditation and it can take 2 or 3 minutes to walk this distance .
Check that the body is upright, with one hand placed on the abdomen and the other hand placed on top. Lift one foot, moving it slowly through the air so that the heel of one foot hardly goes in front of the toes of the other. Experience the foot touching the ground. Then lift the other foot, move it slowly through the air and place it on the ground. Be fully aware of the function of walking as there should be no aspect of walking which escapes your attention. This meditation will ground you in the here and now, reminding you of the importance of taking one step at a time.
There should also be awareness of the breath, which should be steady and co-ordinated .
Practice for 15-45 minutes two or three times a week.
This meditation will ground you in the here and now, reminding you of the importance of taking one step at a time. As you develop this practice, you can apply walking meditation to your normal speed of walking . This will allow you to arrive at your destination feeling focused, calm, and ready for the next task.