Mindfulness is the deliberate and focused attention on the present moment, without judgement or attachment. The most common way to practise mindfulness is by focusing our attention on the breath as a means to attend to the present moment and our experience of it. But there are others.
Mindful walking is one other way to practise mindfulness. Simply, instead of focusing on the breath as a means to keep our attention on the present moment, we instead focus our attention on the act of walking. We walk, and as we do we pay deliberate and focused attention to our walking and our sensory experiences in the present moment, without judgement or attachment. Just as with mindfulness of the breath, mindful walking is a practise, and as we practice it we will find our minds drawn to thoughts or other things. Our practice then is to notice what has happened, and then to kindly and gently return our attention to the present moment. In this case our walking.
Mindful walking is one other way to practise mindfulness. Simply, instead of focusing on the breath as a means to keep our attention on the present moment, we instead focus our attention on the act of walking. We walk, and as we do we pay deliberate and focused attention to our walking and our sensory experiences in the present moment, without judgement or attachment. Just as with mindfulness of the breath, mindful walking is a practise, and as we practice it we will find our minds drawn to thoughts or other things. Our practice then is to notice what has happened, and then to kindly and gently return our attention to the present moment. In this case our walking.
Mindful walking may be of benefit to you as an additional way to practice mindfulness. It can also be very helpful to those people who would like to develop a mindfulness practise, but find it difficult to focus on the breath. This can happen for several reasons, for example focusing on the breath may sometimes increase feelings of anxiety for those who suffer with panic attacks. In these cases mindful walking is a viable alternative and allows us to develop a mindful attitude though the practice of mindfulness, without having to concentrate on our breath.
I find that mindful walking can be a powerful way to strengthen one’s mindfulness practice, regardless of whether or not you also practice mindfulness of the breath. I take time to walk often, and when I am not mulling over something in my mind, or enjoying the freedom of creativity that can come when the body is busy, I will practice mindful walking myself. I find that more often than with mindfulness of the breath I notice that my attention has wandered and I need to bring it back, but I see this as a positive thing. The more actual practice I have to do in my practice, the deeper and stronger it becomes.
Perhaps you might like to try mindful walking yourself, or maybe you already have. Let me know what you think of it in the comments below.
Namasté
I find that mindful walking can be a powerful way to strengthen one’s mindfulness practice, regardless of whether or not you also practice mindfulness of the breath. I take time to walk often, and when I am not mulling over something in my mind, or enjoying the freedom of creativity that can come when the body is busy, I will practice mindful walking myself. I find that more often than with mindfulness of the breath I notice that my attention has wandered and I need to bring it back, but I see this as a positive thing. The more actual practice I have to do in my practice, the deeper and stronger it becomes.
Perhaps you might like to try mindful walking yourself, or maybe you already have. Let me know what you think of it in the comments below.
Namasté
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