December,
2001 Walking Meditation for Adopt a Minefield Campaign at the Texas
Capitol
Silent walking meditation is a contemplative Buddhist practice of
more than 2600 years,but open to participants of all faiths and persuasions
find the place of compassion and clarity that must be the groundwork
of peace. Occasionally we host a Walking Meditation on the south side
of the Capitol to raise awareness of a particular condition of suffering,
for instance, for the victims of a war or of landmines. These Walking
Mediations have been attended by up to 125 people and covered in the
local area television news and printed press.
We walk in silence. We walk together. We walk slowly, following our
breath as we inhale and exhale. We give our full attention to the
present moment. We are aware of the presence of other walkers. We
are aware of our bodies & of the beauty of the natural world.
We are aware of our feet touching the earth. We touch the suffering
of all beings as we walk. We also touch our joy and nourish the seeds
of transformation with our peaceful steps. Often bell will be invited
from time to time. We will end where we began, with a circle. Walking
is a precious gift. Let us walk with all our hearts.
Walking meditations are widely publicized through posting and distributing
of flyers, radio and print media community announcements and postings
to the bpf-hillcountry listserv and
to all know Austin Buddhist listservs.
