Hi,
Good morning! Hope you had a good reading of the TNSS(6) last week. I received several comments on it. Some people said that they were fortunate to have worked with Dr Kurien, some wrote that he had been their role model, and some have inquired where they could buy this book “I Too Had a Dream” from. Some have appreciated him as a real Indian hero. Thanks very much. Let me move on to this week’s TNSS.
Everybody seems to be busy these days without any exception. At the same time, everyone appears to be wanting to have less of stress and more of peace. A contradiction of sorts between what one wants and what one works for. Isn’t it? But, we can’t help it. After all, that is what life is all about. Yoga and meditation are said to be one recourse that could help us achieve that balance of mind which could help us enjoy a more blissful life. Then the question, to me and I am sure to several of you, has been what this thing called meditation is all about. Even if we know WHAT it is, the bigger question is HOW to do it. I have a read a few years ago a book, “The Long Road Turns To Joy – A Guide To Walking Meditation” written by Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk, scholar, poet, and a Nobel Peace Prize nominee. I have been practicing since then what is called “Walking Meditation” as prescribed in this book, and found it to be a Meditation that anyone could practice and enjoy the benefits of it. Let me explain the HOW of it as prescribed by Thich Hanh in his book.
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Walking meditation is meditation while walking. Thich Nhat Hanh writes, “We walk slowly, in a relaxed way, keeping a light smile on our lips. When we practice this way, we feel deeply at ease, and our steps are those of the most secure person on the Earth. All our sorrows and anxieties drop away, and peace and joy fill our hearts. Anyone can do it. It takes a little time, a little mindfulness, and the wish to be happy.” It is all about being mindful and living in the present, knowing that we are walking when we are walking and breathing when we are breathing. So, how to do it?
Well, walking meditation can be done anywhere anytime. I do it in my morning walks, in the airports and on the railway platforms while waiting for the flights and trains, and even while walking in the busy streets of the markets. I use positive affirmations in place of “One two three”, replacing them with words like, “Yes, Yes, Yes” or “Thanks, Thanks, Thanks, Thanks.”; and many other forms of affirmations that make me feel good, solid, and free. Just try it...Anyone can do it. YOU can do it....Indoors, outdoors, anywhere. It is easier, healthier, and joyful.
To Your SUCCESS,
With love and regards,
Siva
value4value@gmail.com
Good morning! Hope you had a good reading of the TNSS(6) last week. I received several comments on it. Some people said that they were fortunate to have worked with Dr Kurien, some wrote that he had been their role model, and some have inquired where they could buy this book “I Too Had a Dream” from. Some have appreciated him as a real Indian hero. Thanks very much. Let me move on to this week’s TNSS.
Everybody seems to be busy these days without any exception. At the same time, everyone appears to be wanting to have less of stress and more of peace. A contradiction of sorts between what one wants and what one works for. Isn’t it? But, we can’t help it. After all, that is what life is all about. Yoga and meditation are said to be one recourse that could help us achieve that balance of mind which could help us enjoy a more blissful life. Then the question, to me and I am sure to several of you, has been what this thing called meditation is all about. Even if we know WHAT it is, the bigger question is HOW to do it. I have a read a few years ago a book, “The Long Road Turns To Joy – A Guide To Walking Meditation” written by Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk, scholar, poet, and a Nobel Peace Prize nominee. I have been practicing since then what is called “Walking Meditation” as prescribed in this book, and found it to be a Meditation that anyone could practice and enjoy the benefits of it. Let me explain the HOW of it as prescribed by Thich Hanh in his book.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walking meditation is meditation while walking. Thich Nhat Hanh writes, “We walk slowly, in a relaxed way, keeping a light smile on our lips. When we practice this way, we feel deeply at ease, and our steps are those of the most secure person on the Earth. All our sorrows and anxieties drop away, and peace and joy fill our hearts. Anyone can do it. It takes a little time, a little mindfulness, and the wish to be happy.” It is all about being mindful and living in the present, knowing that we are walking when we are walking and breathing when we are breathing. So, how to do it?
1) While walking, be aware of your feet touching the earth
2) Also, be aware of your breathing, as you breathe in and breathe out while walking.
3) Now, combine the above two. Begin to be aware of both your feet touching the ground and at the same time your breathing in and breathing out. Observe and start counting the number of steps you walk as you breathe in and as you breathe out. In simple terms, practice conscious breathing by counting steps.
4) If you take 3 steps during an in-breath, say silently, “One, two, three,” one word with each step. As you breathe out, if you take 3 steps, say silently, One, two, three,” again one word with each step. Similarly, if you take 3 steps as you breath in and 4 steps as you breath out, you say, “One, two, three. One two, three, four.”
5) The number of steps you take for breathing in and breathing out depends on your capacity to do so. But whatever may be the number of steps you walk you must feel very comfortable with it, without creating any stress on you. Don’t try to control your breathing. Breathe naturally. Just be mindful of your inhale and exhale and your feet touching the ground as you walk. The link is counting.
6) See that you take one step more for breathing out than for breathing in. For example, if you walk comfortably 3 steps as you breathe in, you walk 4 steps while you breathe out. That helps in throwing out the stale air that is usually left in the lungs as we breathe in and breathe out.
7) More importantly, keep a gentle smile on your lips while walking.
8) In short, walking meditation is, “Walk naturally, breathe naturally, keep counting silently in your mind as you walk the number of steps you take for your breathing in and for your breathing out, and maintain a gentle smile on your lips. Just enjoy your walking; consciously the sweet flow of air into your lungs; and the secure touch of your feet on the Earth.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, walking meditation can be done anywhere anytime. I do it in my morning walks, in the airports and on the railway platforms while waiting for the flights and trains, and even while walking in the busy streets of the markets. I use positive affirmations in place of “One two three”, replacing them with words like, “Yes, Yes, Yes” or “Thanks, Thanks, Thanks, Thanks.”; and many other forms of affirmations that make me feel good, solid, and free. Just try it...Anyone can do it. YOU can do it....Indoors, outdoors, anywhere. It is easier, healthier, and joyful.
To Your SUCCESS,
With love and regards,
Siva
value4value@gmail.com
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