What is walking Meditation

A frequently asked question is can you walk and meditate?

Meditation does not have to be only in a formal sitting posture. Ultimately, everything we do is an opportunity to practice and be in meditative state of awareness. Be present!

Walking meditation, popularly known and practiced as kinhin (Chinese: 経行; pinyin: jīngxíng; Japanese pronunciation: kinhin, kyōgyō; Korean: gyeonghyaeng; Vietnamese: kinh hành)

“It is not mindfulness of walking, stepping, or even of a step.

It is mindfulness of this step, and this step, and this step.” – Anzan Roshi

Mindfulness Walking: Mindfulness is having a moment to moment awareness without any judgements. walking can be another way to cultivate and practicing to be aware and be present in this moment.

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. To practice walking meditation, start by finding about 10 to 15 feet of space. You can walk inside your home… 

Read more on Detailed Steps of  What is Mindfulness meditation.

walking buddhist kinhin zen meditation

Kinhin - Zen Walking Meditation

Kinhin:  is a Zen walking meditation technique that involve movement and periods of walking between long periods of sitting meditation (zazen).

The word kinhin means sutra walk in Japanese. In traditional Buddhist cultures there’s a customary practice of circumambulating. Walking around sites designated as sacred and reciting mantra or sutra. Sutra are records of a talk or discourse by the Buddha.

Kinhin or walking practice contains the quality of attention of zazen (sitting meditation) combined with the quality of engaging in awareness with others. It is not a break from practice or a rest period and rather a meditation or walking while staying in meditative state.

  1. As you rise from zazen, one places their hands in gassho (palms together in front) and wait for the sound of the wooden clappers.
    One next bows, turn to join in kinhin line, closing any spaces to about arms’ length.
  2. At the sound of the second clap, then place hands in shashu (left hand like a fist with thumb enclosed, right hand gently closed over left, elbows away from the body and begin to walk very slowly.
  3. Walk slowly with awareness to our steps, our breath, and each other.
  4. At the third clap, walk at a slightly faster pace.
  5. At the fourth clap, place hands in gassho and walk at a normal “processional” pace until you reach our cushion.
  6. At the fifth clap, bow together and sit down.

 

 

 

Walking Kinhin Zen Meditation

“…kinhin means to feel a step when taking a step, in other words, to take a complete step” – Zen Master Anzan Hoshin

“Taking a step in mindfulness is itself a presentation of the wisdom of the Buddha.” – Anzan Hoshin Roshi
Sikh Waheguru Walking Meditation

WAHEGURU - MANTRA WALKING MEDITATION

 Simran Walking Meditation: Sikh meditation with mantra “Waheguru” : 

Simran means (Gurmukhi ਸਿਮਰਨ, Hindi: सिमरण, सिमरन) is a Punjabi word derived from the Sanskrit word स्मरण smaraṇa, “the act of remembrance, reminiscence, and recollection,” which leads to the realization. Simran is a commonly used term as a verb in Gurmukhi, which refers to ‘meditating’ of the Nām, or name, of God.

It says in the Guru Granth Sahib that through Simran one is purified and attains salvation or ‘mukti’. This is because ‘si-mar’ means ‘to die over’, thus indicating to death of ego, allowing truth ultimate truth or sat to appear.

Waheguru (Punjabi: ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ) is the reference to the Almighty God; the Creator; the Supreme Soul; the Sustainer; The word ‘Waheguru’ literally means the “Wonderful Lord” in the Gurmukhi language. God has many names in Sikhism and Waheguru is one of most most common.

 

Instructions:
  1. As you take steps, Left & Right repeat the mantra silently WAHEGURU
  2. Say WAHE when you put your left foot forward &
  3. GURU when you put the right foot ahead
  4. Continue to walk and repeatWherever you go when you’re walking, keep doing Simran with every step you take.

My Heart: 

Will you walk with me in love and awareness?
Will you rejoice with me seeing every tiny living creature? 
Will you dance with me seeing the clouds drift by? 
Will you serenade me listening to the humming stream?

“Walking is intimacy with oneself. With one’s thoughts. With one’s sense of being.”

Wherever you go when you’re walking, keep doing Simran

with every step you take. This has stuck with me until now…

The walking Simran technique and listening to Kirtan while walking to places gave me courage and strength. It made me realize that you’re never alone. And it’s a beautiful technique to keep the One in your remembrance wherever you go. I felt like I always had someone or something with me at all times.

Don’t be afraid of being alone. What I’ve learned by being with myself is so precious.

 It’s a phase that can help you explore a greater reality.”

“Meditating, meditating in remembrance, I have found peace.”

Guru Arjan Dev Ji

Page 202 of the Guru Granth Sahib

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