Walking Meditation--For Those Who Just Can't Sit Still!

I’ve never been very good at quiet meditation. I’ve always been more of a trance-dance, shapeshifting magic, get-the-blood-flowing-and-make-things-happen kinda gal. Oh, I’ve tried to clear my mind of all thoughts many times—it always seems to produce just the opposite effect. Reverse psychology indeed.

Additionally, I can never find a position that works for me. If I sit in lotus, no matter how perfectly poised, my feet fall asleep. If I sit in a chair, my butt falls asleep. If I lie down, I fall asleep. What’s a hyperactive Pagan to do?

The answer is deceptively simple: take a walk. I’ve found that there are few things that can induce a quiet trance in me easier than a leisurely stroll through the park or a brisk trip to the store. No matter how cluttered my mind is, after a few hundred feet everything clears out and I’m able to open my subconscious up so it can tell me exactly what I need to know.

It works in all weather, too. Regardless of whether I’m broiling in the sun, drenched by rain or being blown all over the place with harsh winds laced with snow, the gentle rhythm of my stride lulls me into that sacred space between realities. I’m still in touch enough with what’s going on to not walk into a tree, but it’s the robotic portion of the mind that governs thoroughly learned behaviors and actions. Just as I don’t have to think about every action when I drive or type, but simply do it, so I use this mindset to keep my body safe while my mind tends to other matters. It’s a great way to ignore slightly uncomfortable weather, though not to the point where I don’t notice potential harm like heat stroke or frostbite!

Once I’ve hit my stride, so to speak, I let my mind wander until it’s settled on a matter I need clarification on, or a magical experiment I want to develop further before carrying out, or an idea I’ve been working on in my writing. I usually let my subconscious push forth whatever it wants; I find it’s a lot more productive than going into my meditation with a set idea of what I want to think about. This way I have a clear connection not only with my conscious thoughts on the matter but also the subconscious ones. This leads to a much more well-rounded study of the topic at hand.

If you want to try this for yourself, start by getting yourself prepared for your walk. You’ll need a good pair of shoes or boots and appropriate clothing for the weather and terrain. If you plan to walk a lot you may want to supplement your footwear with good insoles to protect your feet, especially if you’ll be on pavement or concrete a lot. Take a bottle of water with you, too—dehydration is a concern even in winter. If your walk is going to be extensive, food may not be a bad idea, either. Grab something high in protein and low in refined sugar, like granola or trail mix. Toss them in a small backpack so you can keep your hands free. If you like having music to meditate to, a portable CD, tape or MP3 player will do the trick (just be sure to not have the music on so loud that you drown out environmental noise like traffic).

When walking alone it’s a good idea to carry a cell phone (if you have one). I also recommend keeping some form of protection, such as a walking stick or pepper spray, especially in an urban area. It’s very important that you know how to properly use any weaponry, though—if you don’t know how to handle something, it can be taken from you and used against you. If you’re training in a self-defense based (weapon-free) martial arts class, so much the better; there aren’t many assailants who know how to use your own body against you. Otherwise, consider taking a friend along. You can try taking your dog if s/he’s very well-behaved, but you don’t want to be jolted out of your trance because your pup found something interesting in the grass.

Stick to relatively clear, level terrain. Sidewalks in parks are a great choice, though any uncrowded walkway will do. Freshly mowed grass and wide trails in woods are good, too, though do be aware of holes, sticks and other hazards ahead of you. Daylight is a better choice than moonlight (or no light) unless you can see exceptionally well in the dark. Clear vision shouldn’t be limited just to your trance.

Once you get walking, experiment with your pace to find what works for you. You’ll want one that’s quick enough to keep your mind alert, but not so fast that you exhaust yourself. I personally find that I do better with a faster pace, but that’s because I naturally walk quickly anyway. You want a pace that you can keep up for a relatively long period of time, uninterrupted.

You’ll know when you’ve hit your optimum stride because your “autopilot” will start to take over and your stride will become effortless. Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t happen right away; most people aren’t as aware of their bodies as they could be. Pay close attention to your body; if it’s straining, slow down; if you find yourself wanting to take longer or faster strides, go for it. Once you find the right speed your body will flow with the rhythm of it.

Now’s the time to let your mind go. It’s okay to have thoughts in your mind; simply regard them passively and let your subconscious file through until it settles on a particular theme. It’s almost like observing your own thoughts; rather than actively try to direct where they go, let them develop on their own for a while.

At this point I’d like to offer a warning. Thoughts have power; the more thought you give a certain idea, event or person, the more energy you direct towards them. If you find yourself focusing on something negative, I recommend coming back out of your headspace, stopping your walk and giving yourself a break. If, when you try again, you find yourself obsessing over the same bad thoughts, call it a day, go home, and perform the banishing ritual of your choice.

Once you’ve got a theme going, you can start nudging the meditation in certain directions. Don’t try to tell it what to do, rather, make suggestions to it as to where you’d like it to go next. If you’re performing a divination, ask yourself about some of the possible outcomes and see how each one manifests. Or, if you find yourself performing a ritual in your meditation, feel free to modify the rite as you see fit as you go along, but no more than what is necessary. This is especially true if the ritual is going along a format that you normally don’t use your subconscious may very well be introducing you to new, useful ideas.

It’s certainly possible to do a walking meditation with a purpose in mind, but I personally get better results when I interfere as little as possible. After all, it is the subconscious mind that powers the magic itself; the conscious mind simply gives it structure. I’d rather let my subconscious do what it does best and have my conscious mind process it for me.

When you’re done with the meditation, it’s time to take a break. Allow yourself to become more aware of your surroundings, and slow your pace so your body can ease into a stop. Stand for a couple of minutes, then feel free to sit down, drink some water and eat a bit of food to ground. Once you’re rested, return home, but I recommend not spending the return trip in meditation, at least not until you’re very comfortable with this form of meditation.

You don’t have to limit yourself to walking, either. Runners and joggers may find that meditation not only works for magical purposes but also increases stamina because you’re not caught up in thinking about how much longer you have to go. Even rollerblading and biking (not on roadways!) can be used as vehicles for meditation.

Again, I caution you to not allow yourself to slip so deeply into trance that you ignore your body. This should be akin to talking to someone or thinking about something while driving. Your mind may be occupied, but you’re still paying attention to the road. Also, if you have any health problems, consult your doctor before taking on any sort of exercise regimen.

So if you’re like me and you just can’t seem to sit down for more than a couple minutes without fidgeting, don’t fret! Walking meditation is both effective and enjoyable, and great exercise besides.