Walking is a basic human activity and although few of us recall, taking our first steps is one of the most celebrated moments in our lives. A majority of the world’s six billion people rely on walking as their primary mode of transport and nearly every one of those daily footsteps is for no other purpose than getting from point A to point B. While walking our minds are usually elsewhere and rarely engaged with the current moment. Much like sitting meditation, walking can also provide an opportunity to work with our minds in the present moment.
As the Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh wrote in Peace is Every Step:
Although we walk all the time, our walking is usually more like running. When we walk like that, we print anxiety and sorrow on the Earth. We have to walk in a way that we only print peace and serenity on the Earth.
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When we are able to take one step peacefully and happily, we are working for the cause of peace and happiness for the whole of humankind.
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Be aware of the contact between your feet and the Earth. Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.
Please take a few moments to contemplate the sentiments above and try applying them the next time you’re walking. There is always the possibility of transforming the mundane into something special.
March 21, 2009, 12:00am Link
