Walk Like a Mountain. Innen Ray Parchelo

mindfully striving to realize the same liberation of heart attained by the Buddha. Many monks walk for long hours and actually prefer it to sitting meditation. The late Ajahn Singtong, a much admired meditation master, sometimes practiced walking meditation for 10 to 15 hours a day.

      From Mindful Nature Walking (One Step at a Time), John Cianciosi

NON-BUDDHIST ADVICE

      We are well instructed by several non-Buddhist practitioners who promote walking practices based in other faith-traditions. The first of these is labyrinthist, Lauren Artress. Artress is an American writer, walker and Christian who has re-kindled the ancient Christian and Pagan practices associated with the labyrinth. She writes:

      My lack of success with sitting meditation motivated me to find a more effective way to handle my chaotic mind. Walking – moving my body – drains of a great deal of excess energy. I can begin to slow down my thought process, become conscious of my breath and allow my awareness to rest in my body.

      The Sacred Path Companion, Artress, p. 5

      She found walking in the highly structured environment of ancient labyrinth patterns was the key for her. For her it is ‘a physical portal’ into a symbolic realm and a psychological space. It is ‘a watering hole for the spirit’. She lists the benefits of labyrinth walking as:

      …quieting the mind…nurturing the capacity to reflect… engendering inner spaciousness…enlivening the body… integrating mind/body/spirit…and the realization that we all share the planet.

      Companion, Artress, p. 25

      Her recommendations for preparing and practicing have noticeable deviations from advice here; however, her explanation of this unique practice, suggestions for meditative exercises and generous welcoming of all, make her worth reading. We will return to her and labyrinth walking in Chapter 9 – New Walking Forms.