How To Practice Buddhist Walking Meditation

Handle any emergency with Howcast's First Aid app - http://howc.st/jkDRTe

Expand the description and view the text of the steps for this how-to video.

Check out Howcast for other do-it-yourself videos from Chris_Davis and more videos in the Meditation and Prayer category.

You can contribute too! Create your own DIY guide at http://www.howcast.com/videos/new or produce your own Howcast spots with the Howcast Filmmakers Program at http://www.howcast.com/filmmakers/apply.

Although Buddhist meditation is usually associated with sitting in the lotus position, you can also practice walking meditation. By practicing mindfulness as you walk, you can make this kind of meditation part of your everyday life—just be careful crossing the street.

To complete this How-To you will need:

Understanding and acceptance of what you are going to do
An area to walk in
A meditation track on a music player or a watch or clock

Step 1: Decide when & where

Decide when and where you will practice the walking meditation. For beginners, a large room or an outdoor spot free from obstacles, like a running track or open field, are ideal.

Tip: As you become more skillful, you can practice the walking meditation anywhere, even going from your car to the office or on a busy city street.

Step 2: Decide how long

Decide how long you will practice. Fifteen minutes is a good amount of time for beginners. You can play a meditation track on a music player that corresponds to the amount of time you've chosen, or use a watch or clock as a timer.

Step 3: Stand still & upright

Stand still and upright, becoming aware of the ground supporting your feet and the balance of your body as you stand.

Tip: Hands are generally lightly clasped in front or behind the body.

Step 4: Lift right foot

Lift your right foot, noticing the weight of your foot at the end of your leg. Be mindful of the word "right."

Step 5: Slowly step forward

Slowly take a step forward, noticing your change in balance. As you put your foot on the ground, notice the pressure and the ways your balance readjusts.

Step 6: Lift left foot

Lift your left foot and take another step, still noticing the changes of weight and balance. Be mindful of the word "left."

Step 7: Bring awareness to stages of each step

As you keep walking, bring your awareness to the stages of each step: the raising of the heel off the ground, the lifting of the whole foot, the pushing of the foot forward, the dropping of the foot back onto the ground, and the pressing of the foot into the ground as you shift weight onto that leg.

Step 8: Walk & stay aware

Continue to walk, staying aware at all times of the changes in balance of your body, of everything you feel.

Tip: Keep your eyes focused about 6 to 8 feet in front of you to avoid distractions, but be aware of anything around you that might pose a hazard.

Step 9: Reflect on experience

Stop walking when it's a safe moment to do so, and stand still for a few seconds to reflect on your experience.

Thanks for watching How To Practice Buddhist Walking Meditation! If you enjoyed this video subscribe to the Howcast YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=howcast

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• buddhism
• buddhist
• diy
• do
• essential
• how-to
• howcast
• instructional
• it
• learn
• meditate
• meditation
• prayer
• skills
• to
• yourself

[sxeforlife555]

You're not supposed to listen to music while meditating. It defeats the purpose.

[boostin86]

Since when did Buddha have an ipod?

[kamwrites]

There is more than one level of meditation. You can meditate while listening to music, while typing, while cooking, while walking. The point is to be aware of what's going on, and take something out of the experience. Meditation is not just sitting and humming "OHM"...which if I'm not mistaken is what a meditation track on the ipod represents. Combining this with sitting meditation adds to the experience of each.

[ORUPRANKSTAZ]

@sxeforlife555

You miss the point. And you have no concept of the power of music. The point of meditation is not purely to escape stimulus.

[SuperHeadshots]

shit i cant wait till i become well skillful at walking could maybe walk down a busy street T-T

[ogfunk187]

you dont need a watch or music.

[ruzickaw]

This is not walking meditation. Look at her eyes. She does not know anything about walking meditation.

[mark02906]

you do not do walking meditation wearing an ipod or listening to music

[Physiodude66]

Hehe... How the f... is listening to music, while meditating, mindful? How about playing a game on the phone at the same time?

[Lauren4Doherty]

Screw that i aint meditating when walking, i'll probs get mugged.

Or people will think im on drugs just like she looks.

[Lauren4Doherty]

Screw that i aint meditating when walking, i'll probs get mugged.