Mindful Walking explained
Walking is something many people do when driving is impossible or not practical. Walking may be considered a chore.
Yet, just the act of standing straight makes us different from all other animals on the planet. It is part of our identity in a literal sense. This is what it means to live in the world.
Walking is so common that many people don’t notice it. It’s everywhere, and it’s available to everyone as long as we have the health.
Mindful walking is about more than the destination. It’s about awareness and bringing awareness to everyday activities.
It can be done anywhere, like most mindful activities: a country lane or mountaintop, or even a busy street.
The experience of the early morning sun hitting a puddle on a street in the city is a feeling of appreciation to the mindful. It’s like the setting sun on a mountain scene.
Professor Mark Williams and Dr. Danny Penman, Mindfulness: A Practical Guide for Finding Peace in a Frantic Environment (2011), say that happiness is “looking at the same things with different eye views.” They are correct.
Instead of being a chore to get to, with feet dragging along the footpath, the trip to the local shop becomes an enjoyable, restorative treat for the senses. When combined with an appreciation for the present, a walk to the bus stop, or taking the dog outside, can be transformed into a mindfulness session.
How can you be mindful when walking?
Pay attention to your body’s sensations as you move. What does your foot feel like? What do your other muscles do to compensate for imbalances? Take note of how your arms swing when you walk.
Be more aware of what is around you, not only in a practical sense (I must avoid the puddle or send the letter), but also with an open mind and a willingness to take in the immediate beauty of the sounds, sights, and smells. Your senses are open.
Mindful walking is simple and can be very rewarding. It’s best to stay in the present moment.
You only need to have somewhere to walk, and no tools or equipment. It can be easily integrated into your daily life.
