Walking Meditation, when associated with Zen Buddhism, is known by the Japanese word Kinhin
The term comes from jingxing, a combination of the Chinese words 經 "to go through (like the thread in a loom)", with sutra as a secondary meaning, and 行 "walk". Taken literally, the phrase means "to walk straight back and forth."
This conjures up an image of ‘pacing’ to me, which always seems to be used to depict someone in a state of worry or agitation. It’s doubtful monks in practice were aiming for this.
But it would appear the etymology is misleading as Wikipedia further details kinhin as:
“Practitioners typically walk clockwise around a room while holding their hands in shashu with one hand closed in a fist while the other hand grasps or covers the fist.[2] During walking meditation each step is taken after each full breath.[3] The pace of walking meditation can be either slow (several steady steps per each breath) or brisk, almost to the point of jogging.
The very brief overview ends with the suggestion of a number of health benefits.
I’m unwilling to make terms in other languages or practices rooted in the traditional religious side of zen the focus of this blog, but I’m very curious about the idea of combining furthering of secular zen practice/investigation in combination with my walking.
Walking is basically the only interest/hobby/activity I regularly engage in. It has outlasted all others, to the point where it’s actually something I’ve become more interested in pursuing on a number of fronts over time.
City walks, weekend hikes, possible charity marathons in the future; why not add meditation walks to the list?
Over a period of years I’ve attempted numerous times to keep a consistent meditative practice. I always fall off the wagon. No app, routine or prop has helped me maintain a consistent practice. The hope is if i tie it in to an activity I do consistently engage in, it might actually stick this time.
Walking and meditation both have reported health benefits. What I know for certain is that I enjoy walking, and I want to give myself the opportunity to enjoy and look forward to meditation. I know it can be good for me, I just want to stop looking at it like medicine I have to take.
My mind works differently during and after a good walk. My body is fully engaged, I have an awareness of the world around me. I find in zazen (sitting meditation), my body doesn’t seem to stay under my control any more than my mind does. Sitting becomes painful very quickly, and my mind gets distracted even faster.
Whether my walks take me in a straight line or a circle, I hope that introducing the idea of walking meditation into my life will mean a more engaged zen practice, and the betterment such engagement can foster in me as a person.