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Kiyosato Retreat Day 1 — Walking Meditation: Arriving Home in The Now
Peace is not possible without the capacity of arriving. While there is a deep desire to return to a “true home” of perfect security—reminiscent of the time in the mother’s womb—searching for this in the past or future is unrealistic. The true home, also known as Nirvana or the Kingdom of God, is one’s own nature found only in the here and the now. Life is available only in the present moment, and missing this moment means missing an appointment with life. Hope can be an obstacle as it invests energy in the future rather than the present. Buddhist meditation gathers body, mind, and spirit to make a breakthrough in the present, stopping the running and establishing oneself firmly.
Establishing oneself in the present allows for touching the refreshing and healing wonders of life, such as the blue sky and trees. To heal the environment, one must first heal oneself; an unhappy person filled with violence cannot effectively protect nature. The Buddha recommends selective touching, knowing what to contact in daily life to facilitate healing and avoid further suffering. Nourishing oneself through mindfulness, walking meditation, and sharing meals with a Sangha is essential. Building a community, or Sangha, provides necessary support, as the energy of mindfulness relieves suffering and generates compassion, transforming the environment into a Buddha land.
The practice of walking meditation involves coordinating breath with steps while reciting specific lines to deepen the experience. Success lies in walking naturally while being fully aware of each step, listening to the lungs to determine the rhythm of steps per breath. The four stages of the practice are:
- I have arrived, I am home – signifying the cessation of running and the release of attachment to past and future.
- In the here, In the now – confirming arrival in the present place and time.
- I am solid, I am free – cultivating the stability and freedom characteristic of Nirvana.
- In the Buddha land, I dwell – walking with peace and joy.
