Find a nice,
Quiet path you can walk along with minimal disruption.
This could be your backyard,
A local park,
A hiking trail,
Or along the beach.
Anywhere you've enjoyed walking through.
Or you may choose to simply sit quietly and imagine the peaceful elements as we describe them through this walking meditation.
Begin with a deep breath in and slowly release that breath out.
Deep breath in and slowly release out.
Last one,
Deep breath in and slowly release.
Now feel the warmth of that sun on your face as it brightens you up from the outside in.
Take in that energy that radiates from the sun and the energy from all of nature that surrounds you.
This is all free and accessible to us all day long if we just remember to pause throughout the day to notice it.
To take in little sips of this nourishment from nature to refuel us throughout the day.
Let it cradle your spirit in this moment.
As you continue walking,
Notice the leaves on the trees,
The eccentric outline of each leaf.
Now focus your attention on just one leaf.
Notice the intricate patterns on the edges of that leaf,
The unique formation of the veins on that leaf,
Weaving one vein into another.
This is nature's footprint.
Nature in its complexity exudes wonder and a depth of beauty that at times surpasses the naked eye.
We have so many other distractions that could draw us away from this beauty,
But when we choose to look closely,
We find ourselves in awe of nature's many creations and mysteries.
All of this beauty is available to us all around us.
We have the option throughout the day to stop now and again to connect to this beauty.
It's like a spa moment where we retreat for the eyes,
The mind,
And the spirit.
It has the ability to uplift our spirits in one second.
So often it passes us by unnoticed as we all have matters to tend to.
Let's take the time now to notice it.
We'll find there's beauty in not only the flowers but in the soil beneath them.
The soil that nurtures it and develops it whole.
Even the prickly,
Multi-legged insects provoke wonder and amazement with their complex physiology.
Together we all swim in this vast,
Interdependent ecosystem of life.
Feel that breeze caressing your hair.
Perhaps it's a little windy today or a bit chilly even.
That's all right.
The wind is simply a flow of energy moving at a slightly faster pace around you.
It's neither good or bad.
It's simply weather,
A reflection of nature's only constant.
That constant is change.
Warm one moment,
Cool the next.
Showers one day,
Flowers the next day.
This is nature's flow.
When we accept it,
We are at peace.
We're content.
When we resist it,
The discontentment may persist.
So let's just ride with nature's flow.
Let's tune into our senses.
What do we hear?
Birds chirping perhaps?
A crisp wind?
Observe the sounds around you without judgment.
If judgment arises,
Simply observe it objectively like a detached thought.
It is not a part of you,
But only an expression of a transitory emotion,
Which is energy in motion.
As energy moves,
So do our thoughts transform.
Let's offer gratitude to all of these sounds as they invite us to return our awareness to this moment,
This peaceful visit with nature.
Now,
Shift your attention to your legs and your feet supporting you.
Maintain your legs as you're walking.
With each step,
You feel lighter.
With this step,
Your problems become smaller.
With this step,
Your problems dissolve.
They float away.
With this step,
You are at ease.
With this step,
You are free.
With this step,
You are at peace.
I invite you to revisit this walking meditation for the next seven days.
As always,
Wishing you peace,
Love,
And joy.
Namaste.
