Walking Meditation [With CD and DVD]

I purchased this for my 28 year old son who was interested in beginning a meditation practice. This is an accessible product, well written and the cds are well done as far as pacing and simplicity. I had attempted to introduce meditation in several other ways, but this was the ticket. I like how it is presented in a couple of different ways in order to be approachable for people with various learning styles. Great for the beginner or any of us who would like a brush up :).

I really like the dvd that comes with this, where you get to see Thay actually teaching a group of students how to do walking meditation. Ms. Nguyen, who teaches on the cd, is less effective, for me. She talks TOO slow and I get impatient with her. (I know, "meditate on this"!) The book is short, though it also does give a lot of basic info on walking meditation. Overall, I think this is a worthwhile purchase, especially if you can find it on sale. The dvd is the best part, but the book and the cd are also worthwhile.

I teach meditation workshops and I'm a personal growth coach. I have a background in psychology and have studied meditation for many years. There is a lot of material out there on meditation and much of it is very good. However, there isn't very much literature on walking meditation. What this CD provides is elementary mindfulness principles and a very simple walking practice to go along with these. This simple method is easily learned and the accompanying book reinforces the basic principles. If you are looking for a technical approach with lots of details on an advanced walking meditation practice, this may not be for you. However, this material covers essential points about living a happier life and walking as a spiritual practice. It gets you started in the right direction and takes a Zen rather than traditional Theravadan approach. In certain sections the book and audio don't exactly correspond, but I don't see that as a real obstacle to learning. In fact, normally you wouldn't get a book along with a CD at this price point. There are also other good CDs that present walking meditation from a different viewpoint such as Insight Meditation: A Step-By-Step Course on How to Meditate Another set of good complimentary practices presented from a Western point of view is Guided Mindfulness Meditation (Guided Mindfulness). I would seriously consider some of this material as well as your practice gets deeper. You can see a list of some of these resources on my profile grouped under Buddhist Meditation resources. I find that walking meditation is a particularly good practice for Western people and this is a great starting point for any type of practice. There are many approaches to this type of meditation and all of them can be very beneficial.

I am disabled. It is very hard for me to walk. However, with the Walking Meditation I find it much easier to walk, for the meditating gets one's mind off of the pain you're experiencing. I would recommend it for anyone who has difficulty in walking but wants to increase their walking capactiy. It is indeed a life saver for me.

"Walking meditation is meditation while walking. We walk slowly, in a relaxed way, keeping a light smile on our lips. When we practice this way, we feel deeply at ease, and our steps are those of the most secure person on Earth. All our sorrows and anxieties drop away, and peace and joy fill our hearts. Anyone can do it. It takes only a little time, a little mindfulness, and the wish to be happy." ~Thich Nhat Hanh Thich Nhat Hanh teaches the importance of mindfulness and believes walking is not just a way to get from one place to another, "it is a time to live." Enjoying every step you make is more important than arriving at your new destination. Walking with a sense of peace and joy is explained more on the DVD as he demonstrates how to walk with a sense of joy. He introduces the concepts of: Walking in the present moment The three basic elements of walking meditation Where to practice walking meditation Practicing walking meditation The fourth element of walking meditation: Smiling "Peace is every step the shining red sun is my heart. Each flower smiles with me. How green, how fresh all that grows. How cool the wind blows. Peace is every step. It turns the endless path to joy. ~Tinh Thury The CD introduces: Conscious Breathing Meditation Slow Walking Meditation Walking Meditation in Nature Walking Meditation in Public Places Walking Meditation to Embrace Your Emotions If you are looking for ways to exercise your soul as much as your body, then Walking Meditations can bring you more peace and give you new reasons to walk in nature. Nguyen Anh-Huong's beautiful voice also leads you through a meditation where you learn to breathe more deeply and imagine yourself as a tree, with roots deep in the earth. The last three sections show you how to breathe and walk with purpose and joy. Anyone who enjoys Yoga will also enjoy the meditations as they add new creative dimensions. This book is filled with poetic thoughts, new reasons to enjoy life and a embraces a nurturing place for your soul to grow. "May flowers bloom beneath your feet." ~ pg. 53 ~The Rebecca Review