Mindful walking

I remember hearing someone say recently that they didn't like taking a walk without having a destination, a place they were getting to. It makes me think of the famous quote "There is no path to happiness, happiness is the path". In our society that is so focused on achievement and having a clearly defined purpose of doing something, there can be a sense of discomfort in doing something more focused on the journey and the experience than the outcome. This is not to say that their belief was wrong - it was theirs. It made me realize that we had different beliefs on this.

Walking has often brought me a sense of calm and connection to nature. It is the one thing that I can access in a moment of stress of anxiety no matter where I am. One of my favorite ways to practice meditation is through mindful walking. Have you ever noticed how our minds are often thinking of where we're heading, what we wish we hadn't done or said, or what's worrying us about the upcoming future? We are often somewhere else in our mind. The practice of mindful walking is essentially learning how to be in the moment, how to come back to your senses and really experience what's around you during your walk.

To start any mindfulness-on-the-go practice, the first step is to become more conscious of your breath. Then to start to look around and become curious of your experience. What do you see? What do you hear? How would you describe the scent in the air? What does the breeze feel like? Is it warm outside or cool today? Become aware of what it feels like to walk, your heel touching the ground than the base of your foot and toes and lifting again. Just like taking a deep breath, this brings you back to the experience of walking, to take one step after the next on the pavement. Some people might repeat an affirmation or a helpful phrase to help them let go of their worries and promote relaxation. Notice when you are rushing, when your mind wanders and don't judge or resist it, just acknowledge it, but then come back and make this conscious choice to reconnect to your breath and your senses. The thing about mindful walking is that you don't need to be anywhere special for it to happen. It all starts the moment you decide to practice it.

What's your favorite memory of a recent walk?