When people think about Zen and mindfulness they usually picture sitting quietly and meditating. The picture that comes to mind is often of a calm person sitting cross-legged with a clear mind and a relaxed body. You can practice Zen while you walk which can help you be more mindful in your everyday life. If you mix being present with some daily walking you can really improve how you feel both in your mind and body.
Walking Zen which some people call Kinhin is a way to practice mindfulness that fits well with our hectic lives today. It brings together the good things from exercising and the peace of mind you get from practicing mindfulness meditation. At its heart, it focuses on bringing awareness to your actions so you can find a sense of calm even when you are busy.
The great thing about Walking Zen is that you can fit it into your everyday life. You can add Walking Zen to your routine by taking a stroll in the park or practicing mindfulness while you travel.
To make your daily walk more mindful you need to decide to really pay attention. When you walk out the door try to let go of the busy thoughts and worries that fill your head. Pay attention to what’s happening around you. Notice how the air feels against your skin and how strong the sun is. Listen to the noises in your surroundings.
Walking Zen is all about paying attention to your breathing and matching it with how you walk. Breathe in and out while paying attention to how your body feels. As you walk pay attention to how your feet touch the ground and how your body moves with each step.
Focus on what you can feel and hear around you. When you walk try to notice the different colors and shapes around you and pay attention to how things move. Pay attention to the sound of the birds the movement of the leaves and the smell of the flowers that are starting to bloom.
It's pretty common for your thoughts to drift while doing Walking Zen. That's just how it goes. Instead of being hard on yourself try to shift your attention to your breathing your walking or what you can feel around you. Returning like this makes you stop and think for a moment.
The main point of this practice is not about getting somewhere but about discovering calm and being aware as you go along. Like any kind of mindfulness practice Walking Zen takes time and effort to get the hang of but the benefits of feeling calm and being healthier definitely make it a good choice.
Why not give Walking Zen a shot? If you add this easy but meaningful habit to your daily workout you can improve your body and also be more aware of your life. Taking a walk every day could help reduce stress in your mind.
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