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Walking probably won't cure everything that ails you, however; walking meditation can do a world of good for your attitude as well as keeping you on a healthy life course. The first step is to give yourself permission to take time for yourself. So often the first person we neglect is ourself. Make an appointment with you for a walking meditation at least 5 days a week for 30 minutes, and honor it! If everyone were to walk briskly for 30 minutes a day we could cut many chronic diseases by 30 to 40 percent. Heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis, depression and weight control all benefit tremendously from regular walking.
Enjoy your walking meditation by focusing your attention on the path in front of you and your feet. Become aware of your breathing as you pick up your pace. As each foot makes contact with the ground, be thankful that you are able to walk. If your mind begins to wander away from the ground or your feet, simply refocus on your breathing and then your feet. To enjoy and deepen your concentration, imagine you are surrounded in a white light bubble of love. Imagine a beautiful egg shaped white light all around you. As you continue, don't look around too much. Keep your focus on your breathing and towards the ground in front of you.
I have been doing running and jogging meditations for over 20 years. When I began I didn't know about meditation. I would run along and find myself singing the Lord's Prayer and other heart felt words. These days my pace may be a little slower, but the feelings that I attain through my walking and jogging meditations are deeper and more peaceful than ever.
Recently while jogging, I found myself singing a wonderful rhythmic chant of "I am calm, I am peaceful, I am love, I am light." I would add various other phrases of thanks and positive words, but found I would always come back to "I am calm, I am peaceful, I am love, I am light." By the end of my jog I felt absolutely uplifted, vibrating with energy, and happiness.
Sometimes, if I find myself having a hard time getting started on my walking meditation, I simply shift my attitude to a new understanding that my feet are only moving up and down, and the earth is rolling underneath me. This works quite well allowing me to refocus on my breathing, footsteps and positive thoughts. Please have the courage to try a walking meditation 5 days a week. Always be sure you have your doctor's approval to begin any exercise program.
Meditation whether walking, running, jogging, standing, lying or sitting can help as a source for your own personal awareness and self-understanding. Because meditation can be practiced in almost any environment, it is well suited for people as a means to help with positive thoughts and overall health. Incorporating walking with meditation can help extend life, reducing stress and pain. The longer you practice daily meditation, the greater you become in developing a positive trusting open heart, greater compassion, and less negative judgment toward others. Living in a state of compassion, self-awareness and self-acceptance is a very healing place, not only for you personally, but also for the world in which we live. Do your part each day, step lively with walking meditation.
Meditation Class
Tuesday 7pm
Spiritual Voices
562-789-9424
Toll FREE (866) 2TO-HEAL, 866-286-4325.CATHY L. JAMIESON is a Board Certified Hypnotherapist. She has a degree in Nutrition and Fitness, offers Counseling Programs, Meditation Techniques, Pranic Healing, is a Reiki Master Teacher and a Lightarian Practitioner. Call Toll FREE (866) 2TO-HEAL for more information.
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