Walking Into Stillness
I just got back from a week on a cruise to the Caribbean. It was a work cruise, but I did manage to have some downtime. I met a lot of great people who traveled from all over the globe to participate in this special cruise, and of course I met many of their loved ones from the Other-Side as well. Many of those on board made new friends that helped each other, cried together, and laughed together! Once again you realize we are all connected. When I did have a chance to unwind, I spent time on my veranda, and as I looked out at the breathtaking ocean that spread out before me, it seemed to have no end. It gave me a chance to think about the year, my loved ones, and to simply just enjoy the beauty around me. On the last day, we anchored off Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, and I decided to go ashore and take a long walk on a beach alone to practice an active meditation that allowed me to connect with spirit and also my loved ones. It was a beautiful experience and one I will cherish for a long time to come.
What do I mean by an “active meditation?” You’ve probably done one and not even realized it, but if you haven’t, I want to share how you too can experience this. Have you ever walked or seen a labyrinth? While some are obviously looking to find their way out, others are often involved in what’s known as a “walking meditation,” or a form of meditation in action, in which the experience of walking is used as a catalyst to combine movement with inner calmness. Anytime you actively focus your mind on a single point or activity with a sense of concentration, you can enter some form of meditative state.
Now the most important point of all active meditations is to be fully aware of the routine activity that you’re carrying out. In other words if you’re walking, just walk; if you’re running, just run; and if you’re washing dishes, just wash the dishes. Every time your mind starts to wander, focus on what you’re doing and bring it back to the task at hand.
The walking meditation is a beneficial alternative when sitting meditations are getting too repetitive or when you’re looking for a change in your routine. When you practice this form of meditation, you allow yourself to experience and be with the actual sensation of counting your footsteps. When you only concentrate on the path before you, your pace slows, your breathing deepens, and your mind becomes clear. As you do this, you’ll become more focused and be able to use this time to concentrate on the present, or to reflect on the past and possibly your loved ones on the Other Side.
Keep in mind that even though you’re walking, your mind will still have a tendency to wander, as there is so much visual stimuli outdoors. Initially, it will be challenging to block out all the images around you or the sensory onslaught of sounds and smells from the environment. You may also catch yourself thinking: I wonder if I have any emails? What will the kids want for dinner? Or even Why am I doing this? When this happens, always bring your awareness back to the steady rhythm of your steps.
You can practice this walking meditation anytime you wish, but try to find a track or an area that’s flat outdoors. (A cleared path in the woods also works beautifully). Some people prefer to simply walk in a circle, whether it’s indoors or outdoors . . . or maybe you’ll find your own labyrinth.
John’s Lesson
Exercise: Begin by simply standing still in one spot. Let yourself feel the weight transferring to the soles of your feet as you connect with the earth below. If the conditions are right, try going barefoot for an even better connection to your active meditation, as well as the earth. Now shift your body from one foot to the other, and begin to notice how your posture feels as you lift up your head and push your shoulders back as you breathe in. If it would feel more comfortable, let your arms hang naturally or hold your hands lightly together in front of you. Notice what’s around you before you begin. Now focus your gaze at a point slightly in front of you on the ground to help you avoid any visual distractions.
Start walking, and with each step, count a number from one to ten. Count down from ten to one again, and then start again from one to ten. As you walk and count, keep your focus only on the sole of each foot as it hits the ground, rather than on any other parts of your body. As you count, you’re continually bringing your awareness and focus back to the present.
If you lose your count, or you find yourself thinking while you’re walking, go back to the counting and start again. After about 15 minutes, come to a natural halt. Take your time so that you’re not forced to come to a sudden stop. Feel your soles once again on the earth, and switch your weight from one foot to the other so you just experience standing and being still. Breathe, and enjoy being in the present.
Start off practicing this exercise for 15 minutes, but slowly build up your time. It may seem easy as you read about it, and it doesn’t sound like much to accomplish, but let me assure you, it is. If you practice both sitting and walking meditations as well as other active meditations, your awareness and concentration will develop naturally.
You’ll soon start to notice the positive impact on all your everyday activities. Walking is a powerful meditation, and apart from it being enjoyable, it’s highly beneficial to your overall psychic training.
Affirmations:
“I live in the present moment.”
“My awareness and focus are constantly improving with everything I do.”
Live a Soul-Filled life!
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About the Author
John Holland is an American artist, best-selling author, spiritual teacher, and public speaker, who describes himself as a psychic medium. johnholland.com
