Meditation strolls - Discussion
Meditation strolls
Meditation strolls | John L | 2/17/25 3:14 PM |
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pixelcloud * | 2/17/25 11:39 PM |
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Papa Che Dusko | 2/18/25 6:50 AM |
John L, modified 26 Days ago at 2/17/25 3:14 PM
Created 26 Days ago at 2/17/25 2:23 PM
Meditation strolls
Posts: 128 Join Date: 3/26/24 Recent Posts
Hi all. Since I've hit Equanimity, formal sitting meditation hasn't been my primary practice. Instead, my primary practice is some mix of (1) walking to school, (2) walking aimlessly around the neighborhood, (3) walking back and forth in my room, (4) walking to the bus and sitting on it, or (5) walking somewhere outside and sitting there. I live a sedentary lifestyle, so it's nice that my meditation time also gets me moving. Moreover, I go through phases where I just don't have the spoons to sit formally.
When I first started doing this, I was worried that it wasn't an effective practice. But I've made a lot of progress this way, and I think other people should see it as an option, especially if they struggle to sit. I invite you to share your perspective on or experience with walking/strolling practice in this thread.
I'd initially note while walking. I didn't have a specific anchor or object, so I'd note whatever was prominent in experience. And once I got more established, I simply watched the mind. These days, I'm doing nonmeditation practice, so there isn't any effort to it — it's just a guy on a walk now. But it does still feel like I'm at the cutting edge, like I'm learning something, and my walks are routinely psychadelic in nature.
Walking and sitting put my mind in more-or-less the same place these days. And here's a plus: if you wander far away from your home, then there's built-in commitment to finishing the session. For me, a 1–1.5hr session is much more easily done walking than sitting. Be sure to get a big floppy hat and some sun screen, of course.
This stuff gets extra powerful when you can build it into your daily routine, e.g. by walking or taking public transit to your school or work. Guaranteed meditation time.
Also, I'm not being dismissive of formal sitting. If that's available to you, I'd say go for it, probably. Formal sitting has a nice way of bringing restlessness to a boil. But it's also not the only game in town.
When I first started doing this, I was worried that it wasn't an effective practice. But I've made a lot of progress this way, and I think other people should see it as an option, especially if they struggle to sit. I invite you to share your perspective on or experience with walking/strolling practice in this thread.
I'd initially note while walking. I didn't have a specific anchor or object, so I'd note whatever was prominent in experience. And once I got more established, I simply watched the mind. These days, I'm doing nonmeditation practice, so there isn't any effort to it — it's just a guy on a walk now. But it does still feel like I'm at the cutting edge, like I'm learning something, and my walks are routinely psychadelic in nature.
Walking and sitting put my mind in more-or-less the same place these days. And here's a plus: if you wander far away from your home, then there's built-in commitment to finishing the session. For me, a 1–1.5hr session is much more easily done walking than sitting. Be sure to get a big floppy hat and some sun screen, of course.
This stuff gets extra powerful when you can build it into your daily routine, e.g. by walking or taking public transit to your school or work. Guaranteed meditation time.
Also, I'm not being dismissive of formal sitting. If that's available to you, I'd say go for it, probably. Formal sitting has a nice way of bringing restlessness to a boil. But it's also not the only game in town.

pixelcloud *, modified 25 Days ago at 2/17/25 11:39 PM
Created 25 Days ago at 2/17/25 11:39 PM
RE: Meditation strolls
Posts: 87 Join Date: 10/25/24 Recent Posts
Still underappreciated seemingly, despite MCTB and other sources making the case for walking. But maybe people also just don't mention it specifically when talking about practice. So who knows how much walking is really going on out there? ;)
One big constant in my practice from the very beginning has been to do sits working on jhana and then go on walks to do insight practice. SE happened while walking. And I go on bus and train rides often just to practice.
One big constant in my practice from the very beginning has been to do sits working on jhana and then go on walks to do insight practice. SE happened while walking. And I go on bus and train rides often just to practice.
Papa Che Dusko, modified 25 Days ago at 2/18/25 6:50 AM
Created 25 Days ago at 2/18/25 6:47 AM
RE: Meditation strolls
Posts: 3449 Join Date: 3/1/20 Recent Posts
Same here; SE cessation happened while walking with my kid.
I think I have exclusively done walking meditation for the entire 2nd Path. I did Shargrol's structured meditation while walking. 45 minutes total. 10 minutes Om Tare mantra for concentration, then 25 minutes active noting, then 10 minutes radical allowing. Then just use 5 minutes to return back to life and do a bit of Metta for all beings.
Edit to add; I would walk normally. Normal tempo. Not the meditative slow walking
We have a small but long forest on our property. Did it usually during my son's nap. He was close to me in his boogie.
I think I have exclusively done walking meditation for the entire 2nd Path. I did Shargrol's structured meditation while walking. 45 minutes total. 10 minutes Om Tare mantra for concentration, then 25 minutes active noting, then 10 minutes radical allowing. Then just use 5 minutes to return back to life and do a bit of Metta for all beings.
Edit to add; I would walk normally. Normal tempo. Not the meditative slow walking
