Active Meditation

Slide 1: 

How to Meditate while being Active

Slide 2: 

Introduction Traditional meditation starts with stilling the body before stilling the mind through a stable sitting posture within a tranquil ambience The concept of meditation can be practically stretched to include other forms which do not involve a sitting still posture Some meditations are done when the body is active such as when walking or doing some physical activity In Zen Buddhism, walking meditation is a well known and established form of meditation

Slide 3: 

Is it possible to meditate while walking, running or being active? Meditation is not about switching off your mind but about switching it on It is about opening up your awareness to your surroundings and inner body It is about tuning in to the present moment and living the freshness of it instead of blurring in to hazy thoughts and daydreaming it is possible to be more mindful and aware while walking, cycling or running because your mind becomes engaged in the awareness of the surroundings

Slide 4: 

How to meditate while being active 1. Warming up your mind: Before engaging the activity stop for a few minutes to prepare your mind on the objectives you want to reach This is an important step for it directs your mind to stay on that track instead of wandering about distractively I call it the warming up of the mind

Slide 5: 

2. Directing your Awareness: When you start the activity take some time to direct you awareness to your body How does your body feel in general? Are your energy levels high or low? How do your muscles feel? Is your breathing deep or shallow? Are you feeling any subtle energies changing in yourself as you do the activity?

Slide 6: 

3. Notice your surroundings: Now turn your attention to your surroundings If for example you are walking, enlarge your observation window to include those details that usually go by unnoticed Example: Patterns in buildings and stone, colors, shapes, sights, smells and sounds This is mindfulness meditation in action Your perceptual awareness expands until your mind opens up to a new dimension and everything becomes alive

Slide 7: 

4. Observing the mind: When your activity is over, take some time to observe how your mind feels different now Are you more relaxed and focused? Are your thoughts more coherent? Is your general state of being more peaceful and calm? This exercise is important to extend your awareness also into the benefits of the meditation itself so that it becomes reinforced into your mind

Slide 8: 

The End Presentation by Gilbert Ross www.soulhiker.com Thank You