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Many of us take the benefits of walking
for granted. Each day, we limit the steps we take by driving or sitting
for long periods of time. But walking even a few blocks a day has
unlimited benefits — not only for our health, but also for our spirit. As
we walk, we connect with the Earth. Even on concrete, the Earth is still
beneath us, supporting us. Walking lets our body remember simpler times
when life was less complicated. This helps us slow down to the speed of
our body and take the time to integrate the natural flow of life into our
cellular tissue. Instead of running from place to place or thinking about
how much more we can fit into our day, walking allows us to exist in the
moment.
Each step we take can lead us to
becoming more mindful of ourselves and our feelings. Walking slows us
down enough not only to pay attention to where we are in our body, but
also to our breath. Taking time to simply notice our breath while we
walk, through the length of our inhales and exhales, and becoming attuned
to the way in which we breathe is taking a step toward mindfulness. When
we become more mindful, we gradually increase our awareness of the
environment around us and start to recognize that the normal flow of our
thoughts and feelings are not always related to where we are in the
present moment. Gradually, we realize that the connection we have with
the Earth and the ground beneath our feet is all that is. By walking and
practicing breathing mindfully, we gain a sense of calm and tranquility —
the problems and troubles of the day slowly fade away because we are in
the “now.”
The simplicity and ease of a walking
practice allows us to create time, space, and awareness of our
surroundings and of the wonders that lie within. Taking a few moments to
walk each day and become more aware of our breath will in turn open the
door for the beauty of the world around us to filter in.
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