[Daily OM]: Many of us take the benefits of
walking for granted. Each day we limit the steps we take by driving or
sitting for long periods of time. But walking even a few blocks a day
has unlimited benefits not only for our health, but our spirit as
well, for as we walk, we connect with the earth.
Even when walking on concrete, the earth is still beneath us, supporting
us. Walking lets our body remember simpler times, when life was less
complicated. This helps us slow down to the speed of our body and take
the time to integrate the natural flow of life into our cellular tissue.
Instead of running from place to place or thinking about how much more
we can fit into our day, walking allows us to exist in the moment.
Each step we take can lead us to becoming more mindful of ourselves and
our feelings. Walking slows us down enough not only to pay attention to
where we are in our body, but also to our breath. Taking time to simply
notice our breath while we walk, through the length of our inhales and
exhales, and becoming attuned to the way in which we breathe is taking a
step towards mindfulness. When we become more mindful, we gradually
increase our awareness of the environment around us and start to
recognize that the normal flow of our thoughts and feelings are not
always related to where we are in the present moment. Gradually we
realize that the connection we have with the earth and the ground
beneath our feet is all that is. By walking and practicing breathing
mindfully we gain a sense of calm and tranquility -- the problems and
troubles of the day slowly fade away because we are in the 'now'....<<<Read The Full Article Here>>>...