Anne Dilenschneider writes about Meditation-Walking in the World. In this post she gives three examples of meditation done while being alive to life and being fully conscious. In Walking Meditation #1, she suggests:

“Name an issue that is of concern to you,
something you’d like more clarity about.
Be open to seeing your concern in a new way.
Be open to letting go of your concern for this time,
and trusting it to a wider Wisdom.

Then go out for a walk.”

She also gives an excerpt from one if my heroes, Anne Dillard, from Anne’s Pilgrim at Tinker Creek:

“The universe was not made in jest but in solemn incomprehensible earnest. By a power that is unfathomably secret, and holy, and fleet. There is nothing to be done about it, but ignore it, or see. And like Billy Bray I go my way, and my left foot says ‘Glory,’ and my right foot says ‘Amen’: in and out of Shadow Creek, upstream and down, exultant, in a daze, dancing, to the twin silver trumpets of praise” (pp. 270-71).

And, finally, she suggests:  “As you go walking, try this:

When you take a step with your left foot, breathe the word “Glory.”
When you take a step with your right foot, breathe the word “Amen.”

(1)  When is the Right Time to Teach Children Meditation?

Answer from Deepak Chopra:

“There’s no hard and fast rule on this. What’s most important is to make them aware of the value of meditation through your example and then look for their receptiveness. Some children may be ready for meditation as early as eight or ten years of age. Other kids even growing up in homes where both parents meditate, may not feel drawn to meditating themselves until they are in their late teens.”

“It’s important that they don’t feel pressured to meditate because the parents want them to. When they are motivated to start from their own curiosity and desire that is the best indication they are ready, and that is the best indicator for them to continue on in their practice as well.”

(2)  20 Meditation Tips for Beginners:

“Although a good number of people try meditation at some point in their lives, only a small percentage actually persist with it. This is unfortunate, as the benefits are enormous. One possible reason is that many beginners do not start with an appropriate mindset to make the practice sustainable.”

“The purpose of this article is to provide 20 practical recommendations to help beginners get past the initial hurdles and integrate meditation as an ongoing practice in their lives.”

(3)  Meditation and Its Benefits:

“(a) Meditation is good for the brain
According to scientists there is evidence that suggests that meditation can boost parts of the brain and the immune system.”

“(b) Meditation for stress management
People started practicing meditation worldwide as a means to reduce stress or to help them with pain caused by various illnesses.”

(“c) Meditation can help maintain calm in any situation.”

“(d) Meditation develops intuition; a capacity to understand and foresee.”

“(e) Most of the diseases stem from the discord between mind, intellect and body. Meditation will bring your body, mind and intellect, into harmony and hence peace.”

“(f) It encourages deeper understanding of oneself and hence others. Thus one can follow his chosen path with more precision.”

“(g) Meditation will lead you towards the path of non violence. As a result you will gradually stop injuring yourself and other at work, in relationships, etc.”

“(h) Regular practice of meditation will certainly make the will power of the practitioner stronger. When the mind is stronger you can achieve what you want from life and stay peaceful and happy.”

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