Walking Meditation appeals to many, but sitting and keeping the Monkey Mind quiet is a challenge most will not stick with. However, combining walking and meditating brings about a flow state of mind. It’s like entering the zone of all possibility.

The Metaphor of the Gate, Journey, and House

Walking meditation starts metaphorically through the Asian concept of entering the Gate to arrive at the House.  It’s the gateway to understanding the Journey of Life.  

The metaphor goes like this: 

When you journey to the House, (the place of all manifestation), first you must first enter through the Gate; the Gate becomes the starting point of the journey to the House.  

When you reach the House, you meet the Host (the knowledge you gained). Therefore, learning is the Gate, not the House. When you see the Gate, don’t take it for the House. The House is inside, past the Gate.

The Benefits of Walking Meditation

Walking meditation is the quintessential experience of self. Walking meditation can be a perfect, fun way to ease into the quiet reflection that results from grounding and clearing the mind. The combination of mental clarity and physical activity refreshes and renews in a unique and fulfilling way.

However, the “how to” of walking meditation must be connected with the meaning and essence of the path. The metaphor provides something to hang your spiritual hat upon while accessing your inner being.

Here are a few simple suggestions for creating the physical walking path and ideas for imparting the essence of the “journey” that will help you get the most out of your walking meditation experience.

The essence of the path is based on, the Gate, the Journey and the House. Try to set up your walk so these concepts are in some form.

When designing a walking meditation path, the first step is constructing a beginning, middle, and end to the path that you will walk. The environment should preferably be in nature. The pathway should be slightly winding and filled with sense-catching elements. There should be a specific entry point, a path that would take at least 20 minutes to traverse, and a place near the end of the path that has some physical structure (a bench, natural seating like a fallen tree, a flat rock, or even a tiny house like structure that would provide seating).

The Gate

The Gate is the entry point of the journey into self and represents a commitment to the path. Entering the path through the Gate symbolizes the cross-over place to another dimension.  In a sense, you are provided time to “re-boot” your internal computer each time you enter through the Gate.

The Journey

Next, the Journey along the path allows you to go inward and connect with your spiritual nature. Set your mind so that each time you focus on the beauty of the path, stress falls away and is replaced by peace as you bring your attention inward to yourself.

As you experience the elements of the journey, you become aware that the purpose of the journey is to allow the clutter in your mind to fall away. By filling up the senses, you are elevated to a higher personal vibration than before entering the Gate.

The House

Near the end of the physical path is a place designated as the House. Here, you enjoy the benefit of a clear mind that allows inner reflection and the spiritual space for thought manifestation.

The Power of Walking Meditation

What you imagine can happen, and the energy you experience when arriving at the House will help you understand this all-important aspect of any meditation.  Constructing a place to sit allows you to relax and enjoy the meditative state you have accomplished. You have surrendered to the entry through the Gate, left your worries behind on the Journey, and arrived at the House relaxed and able to envision what you desire.