Welcome.
I'm Joyce and I'm really glad you're here.
Before we begin,
Take a moment to choose a place that feels safe and supportive for this practice.
Ideally somewhere with minimal traffic,
Fewer people,
And little need to interact with others.
If you're walking outdoors,
Please stay aware of your surroundings and your safety at all times.
Mindfulness includes knowing where you are and staying aware of what's happening around you.
If you're listening with headphones,
You might like to keep one ear open so you can stay connected to the natural sounds of your environment.
And whenever you're ready,
Let your phone rest on silent.
And allow this walk to be a pause from doing,
Fixing,
Or figuring things out.
For the next while,
There's nowhere else you need to be.
Today,
I invite you to slow down.
Thank you for choosing to walk mindfully with me.
As we begin,
I'll share a few words about mindfulness.
Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to our experience as it's happening on purpose and with kindness.
We use the body and the senses as our anchor.
And we start with the body because the body is always here,
Even when the mind is busy or distracted.
In mindfulness,
We're not trying to empty the mind or feel a certain way.
We're learning to notice experience without judging it as good or bad.
But simply as pleasant,
Unpleasant,
Or neutral.
So there's no right experience to have during this walk.
Whatever you notice is part of the practice.
This practice is called a bird song mindfulness walk because being outdoors and listening to birds and natural sounds can make mindfulness more accessible.
So much is already happening on its own and you don't need to imagine anything or create a special experience.
You're simply noticing what's already here.
Bird song,
Wind,
Footsteps,
Distant sounds,
They can all gently support awareness.
As you walk,
Thoughts will come and go,
Sounds will come and go,
And that's not a problem.
When you hear a bird song or any natural sound,
Let it be an anchor for awareness.
There's no need to name the sound,
Follow it,
Or decide what it means.
Just listen.
And when the mind wanders,
As it will,
Gently return to the breath or to the sensations of the body.
In mindfulness,
We also practice allowing what's here with care and curiosity without needing to fix or change anything.
You may notice habits of reacting,
The urge to push something away or to hold on to something pleasant.
Each time you notice where you are and gently come back,
That is the practice.
So whether your mind feels calm,
Busy,
Curious,
Or distracted today,
All of that belongs here.
This is a practice of mindfulness and motion.
Instead of sitting still,
We bring awareness into the body as it moves.
Into the feet,
The breath,
And the senses.
This is not a fitness walk.
There's no ideal pace and no destination to reach.
You're invited to walk at a speed that feels natural and supportive for your body today.
You might slow down,
You might pause,
You might change pace.
Let your body lead.
As you begin walking,
Start by noticing simple things.
The feeling of your feet touching the ground,
The rhythm of your steps,
The air on your skin,
The sounds around you.
There is nothing else you need to do.
Just walking and noticing.
If it feels supportive,
Allow yourself to pause for a moment.
Stand in a way that feels steady and comfortable.
Soften the gaze or look gently toward the ground.
Invite the spine to lengthen naturally and allow the shoulders to soften.
Notice your feet,
Their contact with the earth,
And take a slow breath in through the nose.
And a gentle breath out through the mouth.
Let the breath return to its natural rhythm.
Open awareness to sound.
Sounds close by,
Sounds farther away,
Perhaps a bird's song.
And there's no need to label anything right now.
Now notice sensation in the body.
Warmth,
Coolness,
Movement,
Stillness.
And if you feel any tension,
You're welcome to stretch gently.
Roll the shoulders or move the neck slowly.
And when you're ready,
Allow yourself to continue walking.
As you walk,
Bring attention to the feet.
You might notice the heel touching the ground,
The sole of the foot,
And the toes.
The gentle shift of weight from one step to the next.
There's no need to exaggerate the movement.
Just noticing what's already happening.
The feet can be one anchor for awareness.
And when the mind wanders,
Gently return to one step and then the next.
You can also widen awareness to bird song,
Wind,
Breath,
And the feeling of moving through space.
From here,
Continue walking in silence.
You may choose to keep walking with this recording playing or let the guidance fade into the background.
You're welcome to continue your walk beyond this recording or to pause somewhere comfortable and simply listen.
When your walk naturally comes to an end,
You can return to this recording for the closing or simply carry the practice with you.
There is no right way to finish.
You're in charge of how this practice unfolds.
As your walk comes to an end,
Allow yourself to slow down.
Notice how your body feels now.
Notice the quality of your attention.
You might recall one sound,
One bird song,
Or one moment from the walk and gently carry it with you into the rest of your day.
You might like to return to this practice again.
Each walk is different.
Different sounds,
Different weather,
A different inner landscape.
You may notice that what stood out today shifts the next time you listen.
You're welcome to use this recording as a companion on future walks,
Whether for a few minutes or for the whole journey.
And whenever you come back,
Begin again right where you are.
Thank you for walking with me today.
