Walking Meditation

Mindfulness in the Mission:

Special Spots in the Mission Perfect for Stress Relieving Mindfulness Practices

We are blessed with an extraordinarily beautiful environment in the Okanagan Mission. The natural beauty and geographic diversity of the Mission brings enjoyment and appreciation.  It also provides an abundant venue for the supportive de-stressing practice of mindfulness. Away from normal distractions, the easy access to nature in the Mission area provides a setting that calms our emotions and centers our attention, smoothly preparing us for meditative practices.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness can be described as a focused awareness on the present moment; observing the moment to moment thoughts and activity of the mind; not judging or attaching to the thoughts or the activity.  This place of observing the mind can be referred to as the seat of consciousness.

Why Practice?

There is a growing and popular trend to mindfulness practices as our culture has discovered that the pace, competitive nature and intensity of our high technology society has contributed to increased levels of stress, anxiety, and dissatisfaction.  Mindfulness meditative practices have been proven scientifically to counter the stress response and positively access the parasympathetic nervous system; sometimes know as the ‘rest and digest’ response.

Dr. Andrew Weil has stated that if stress is not the cause for the illness that all illnesses are exacerbated by stress.  Science has proven that mindfulness practices can counter the “fight or flight” response that is kicked off by stress and when this response is chronic, the body can be continually bombarded by stress hormones that can lead to conditions such as sleep disorders, depression, chronic fatigue, high blood pressure and heart disease.  We have lost control of our nervous systems and have become dependent on external ‘quick fixes’ that eventually lead to greater concerns for our health and well being.  Mindfulness practices help reset the nervous system and increase our ability to regulate our emotional states contributing to improved focus and concentration, clarity, increased sense of peace and openness in relationships and resiliency to change.

How to Practice?

The practice is simple; focus on the breath, begin to watch your thoughts (like watching a movie) watch with detached interest.  As your thoughts wonder, do not follow them, let them pass and bring your focus back to the breath. The goal is not to completely empty the mind, (although there may be moments of mindless bliss), but to detach from your thoughts over and over again.  Simple and also challenging; it takes commitment.  But the benefits are truly worth it.

Where to Practice?

Mindfulness practices can be done anywhere. The Okanagan Mission provides some particularly wonderful venues to support the practice and offers countless other benefits from the pure beauty of these treasured spots. Some of my favorite venues for practicing mindfulness in the Mission:

1. The Mission Creek Greenway.  (begin km zero at Lakeshore and Truswell) The greenway provides a wonderful walking meditation experience.  Use the above guidance to focus on the breath and release the mind.  As you walk become aware of your feet and connecting with the earth; keep the focus on a steady and even breath.  Soften the eyes and remain fully present with your surroundings.  When thoughts arise; allow them to pass and bring the focus back to the breath and your feet connected to the earth.

2. Cedar Park (also referred to as the Kelowna Crags, 2.6 km from the left turn off Chute Lake Rd onto Mountainside Drive, and continue up the mountain on Chute Lake Rd.)  This beautiful little park offers a very peaceful, high elevation experience of the valley; perfect for a quiet seated meditation.   A short walk from the parking lot is Lebanon Creek; it offers a spot to sit and be with a mountain stream and nature. Or continue on and find a boulder to perch on and silently sit and be with your breath and enjoy the energy of the dynamic outcrops of the rocky crags.  Sit comfortably, with spine erect, allow the eyes to be soft and downcast and focus on the breath.  Again, allow any thoughts to rise and pass and continue the focus on the breath.

3. The Labyrinth at St. Elizabeth Seton House of Prayer (5819 chute Lake Road. Take the left fork on same road to Cedar Park: see above)  Walking a labyrinth is a historical and sacred mindfulness practice.  It can be treated as a pilgrimage or a symbolic journey of life to death and rebirth.  I like to enter the labyrinth posing a question or an intention to heal a situation and as I walk, focusing on each step, my mind releases, forcing me to be fully present with the shape and design of the labyrinth.  I walk silently, head slightly down and at one with the labyrinth.  The centre of the labyrinth allows a moment of contemplation before turning back and open to receive any insight or clarity on my original intention for being there.  (Note:  is is respectful to bring a small donation to support the care of the Labyrinth and the Prayer House.)

Mindfulness practiced in the beauty and peace of the Okanagan Mission is a specia , supportive and sacred opportunity.  Enjoy.

(reprinted: from the Okanagan Mission Review Spring 2012, written by Lori Pinnell, Certified Transformational Life Coach)

{ 0 comments }