just walking

FOTO : ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT, CIRCA 1950/51

"Walking meditation is walking just to enjoy walking. Walking without arriving, that is the technique. There is a Sanskrit word, apranihita. It means wishlessness or aimlessness The idea is that we do not put anything ahead of ourselves and run after it. When we practice walking meditation, we walk in this spirit. We just enjoy the walking, with no particular aim or destination. Our walking is not a means to an end. We walk for the sake of walking.

If we can transform our walking path into a field for meditation, our feet will take every step in full awareness. Our breathing will be in harmony with our steps, and our mind will naturally be at ease. Every step we take will reinforce our peace and joy, and cause a stream of calm energy to flow through us."

THICH NHAT HANH, HAPPINESS, Parallax Press, 2009.

 

*

The mind can go in a thousand directions.

But on this beautiful path, I walk in peace.

With each step, a gentle wind blows.

With each step, a flower blooms.

(Thich Nhat Hanh)

 

***

golden goji hermitage

FOTO : PORT SAID, EGYPT, CIRCA 1950/51

 

20 / june / 2015

******************