If you read the history of great thinkers, philosophers,
inventors, or authors, you’ll find that they all had some
form of meditation they practiced to reach a higher level
of thinking. Benjamin Franklin would sit in a big,
comfortable chair, put a steel ball in his hand, and close
his eyes. He would meditate until his hand relaxed, and
the steel ball hit the floor, he’d then get up and go back
to work. Have you heard of Einstein’s “long, hot showers?”
He gives them credit for his insights. Henry David Thoreau
took nature walks. He called it sauntering, claiming “he
could not preserve his health or spirits without his daily
sauntering through the woods, and over the hills and
fields, totally free from all worldly engagements.” He
made it clear that he wasn’t walking for physical exercise
but for a clearing of his mind.

I’m with Thoreau, walking meditation has always been my
favorite technique. After teaching meditation for ten
years, I still have a hard time sitting down to meditate.
Whenever I sit still and close my eyes to quiet my mind, I
have the same problems that most people have. I either
start to doze off, or I’m suddenly aware that something
physically is beginning to hurt. Usually it’s my back,
neck, hip, or somewhere I have been injured. Since I can’t
fall asleep walking, and movement eases pain, I find a
walking meditation much more inviting. I can enjoy it for
a much longer period of time too.

In Kittitas county, Fall is perfectly suited for walking
meditation. In walking meditation the primary focus is on
being in the present moment, by getting all your senses
involved. Listen to the crunch of your foot stepping on
leafs, absorb the crimsons and yellows, feel the wind in
your face, and the warmth of the sun on your back.
Experience the smell of fresh cut hay, birds singing, your
breath entering and leaving your body. Paying close
attention to each breath, breathe in and really fill your
lungs with air, looking for something you want to touch
with your mindfulness; the sky, trees, flowers, always
bringing you back to the present moment.

By walking without any aim or destination, in just twenty
minutes, you can return a piece of serenity to your day.
Discover improvements in; concentration, memory, clarity,
insight, creativity, tranquility. patience, and gratitude.
All leading to further stress reduction. enhanced
understanding, and greater sympathy toward others. You may
also notice some physical benefits such as relief from
insomnia, reduced blood pressure, increased energy, or
greater pain management.

Find a way to incorporate walking meditation into your day,
Take a walking lunch break, meditate on your way to a
meeting, or make the most of your walk to the store. By
looking for ways to build a few minutes of walking
meditation into each day, you will find yourself leaving
today’s anxieties, and yesterday’s regrets far behind, and
watching as life becomes easier, one step at a time.


Lori Chandler is a registered yoga teacher who teaches yoga
at Central Washington University and throughout the
Ellensburg community.