I found a new walking meditation that I've been experimenting with recently.
In it you start with walking at your usual pace and observe your inner state: tense or relaxed areas in your body, how you are "talking to yourself" in your mind or even the feeling of your feet contacting the ground.
After a minute or two of being with your observations; slow down slightly (not so much that people would notice but reduce your speed a little). Now observe your inner state: the tense or relaxed areas in your body, how you are "talking to yourself" in your mind or even the feeling of your feet contacting the ground. How is it different to when you started?
After a minute or two of being with your observations; slow down a little more. Observe your inner state again: look at the areas you had noticed were tense or relaxed , reflect on how you are "talking to yourself" , what about the feeling of your feet contacting the ground? How are they different to when you started?
Now after a minute or two of just being with those observations; speed up to a brisk walk. How does that affect your inner state?
Having done this several times now - during my exercise time, heading too and from work or social engagements - I have observed that the speed at which I walk has a profound impact on how I arrive. Like your breathing reflects your inner state and mindfully altering your breathing can help regulate emotions, the same it appears, can be said for the pace at which you walk...
Next time you're walking somewhere, be it for exercise, heading to a meeting or, after-work drinks. How do you want to show up?
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