You probably know Nordic walking. But have you ever heard of Zen Walking? Probably not, because I came up with the term.
However, the exercise behind it really exists and it is based on an old Buddhist tradition – walking meditation.
And it "goes" quite easily - in the truest sense of the word.
So: Just go!
Take one step in front of the other, pay attention to how your foot touches the ground and how it feels when it rolls over the floor.
Perceive all your senses. Notice the nature of the ground, perceive the environment in which you walk. Consciously walk slowly, feel inside yourself as you walk and feel the inhalation and exhalation to the rhythm of your steps.
Walking meditation is therefore more than just walking slowly and dwelling on your thoughts.
Walking meditation is about immersing yourself in the present moment as much as possible and fully engaging with walking.
And that has many positive effects on well-being. For those who are completely absorbed in the process of walking can no longer indulge in their worried thoughts.
Our brains are not capable of multitasking – either indulging in stress-causing thoughts or concentrating on walking.
You can't do both at the same time!
Of course, the quietest places possible are best suited for walking meditation. And walking meditation is best of all if you can do it in nature.
Because then you also have the many positive effects of spending time in nature "on top".
And if you're practicing walking meditation in the forest, then you're pretty close to the most primal form of meditation. Forest bathing .
By the way: In Buddhism, walking meditation is practiced both in circles and on short straight distances. However, you can practice and practice walking meditation on any route and on any occasion.
And if it doesn't work out so well at the beginning, then just practice walking meditation every now and then for a short section in between.
So then, let's 😀 go!