# Theological Academy: Walking Meditation

Wikipedia: Walking meditation (Chinese: 經行; Pinyin: jīngxíng; Romaji: kinhin or kyōgyō; Korean: gyeonghyaeng; Vietnamese: kinh hành) is a meditation practice done while walking common in Buddhism. It can be done as a standalone practice or as a break in between long periods of sitting meditation. In different forms, the practice is common in various traditions of both Theravada and in Mahayana Buddhism. The term kinhin consists of the Chinese words 經, meaning "to go through (like the thread in a loom)", with "sutra" as a secondary meaning, and 行, meaning "walk". Taken literally, the phrase means "to walk straight back and forth."

### Basic option

The basic option is a regular, slightly accelerated walk while reading mantra.

### Comment

The main advantage of walking practice is the improvement of blood circulation throughout the body, which helps the heart. During walking, the leg muscles work actively: they rhythmically squeeze the blood vessels located along the muscles, and due to this, they forcefully send blood to the heart. This muscle movement is similar to how cows are milked, so it is sometimes called the milking process. Accordingly, the blood actively circulates throughout the body, significantly reducing the load on the heart and blood vessels, and also improving the functioning of all internal organs. This prevents atherosclerosis, caused by the deposition of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels.

#### Increased oxygen supply to the brain

Effective effect on the brain: during movement, the head becomes clear.
As is known, the brain requires a large amount of oxygen: it consumes it several dozen times more than muscles. Despite the fact that the brain weighs only 2% of the body weight, it consumes 20% of all oxygen entering the body. With increased mental work, oxygen consumption increases and it happens that the blood does not have time to supply the brain with oxygen in sufficient quantities. The lack of oxygen is especially felt during sedentary work, when blood circulation worsens. And with insufficient oxygen supply to the brain, concentration decreases, drowsiness and irritability occur.
At the same time, when walking, the supply of oxygen to the brain increases by 30-50% compared to a state of rest. Thus, with the help of movement, not only is oxygen deficiency eliminated, but the brain is also saturated with it.

#### Brain stimulation

Medical research shows that the amount of blood flowing to the brain increases if, for example, you make rotational movements with your fingers, activating the brain. It is believed that this method is effective in preventing senile dementia. However, the lower body movements activate the brain even more. Most of the nerves that provide the brain with control over the body's balance and movements are connected to the muscles of the lower body, which are dominated by the so-called slow fibers (our muscles consist of two types of fibers: slow and fast fibers). When walking, these muscles contract and transmit strong impulses to the brain through the nerves, causing the brain to activate. It turns out that the brain's work is activated during walking due to the increased supply of oxygen and impulses from the lower body. Or, in simple terms, when walking, the head "clears up".
And history knows many geniuses whose insights came during walking. Thus, the great philosophers Socrates and Aristotle loved to have discussions with their students during their walks. The philosopher Kant also loved to think during his walks: for many years, he went out for a walk at the same time every day and was so punctual that the townspeople set their watches by him. So our predecessors, who achieved great success in life, experienced from their own experience how walking clears the head.

#### Psychological effect

Secretion of beta-endorphin, which eliminates stress.
In everyday life, in various situations, we are constantly exposed to stress. Mental and physical stress is the cause of many diseases. Stress negatively affects the functioning of the autonomic nervous system and weakens the body's immunity.
Stress is regulated by beta-endorphin, which:
* being something like a drug for the brain, has an analgesic effect 10 times stronger than morphine,
* in addition, beta-endorphin lifts the mood, quickly eliminates stress, restores mental balance;
* strengthens the immune system;
* prevents caries;
* inhibits the division of cancer cells.
At the same time, with a decrease in the release of beta-endorphin:
* a person experiences headaches and joint pain;
* a person cannot rest properly;
* a person becomes irritable, he loses the desire to do anything.
The practice of walking activates the release of beta-endorphin. If you walk for a long time, your mood rises sharply and you may feel as if you are floating on air. Also, if you run for a long time, you may experience a feeling of delight. These states are explained by an increase in beta-endorphin in the blood. Thus, as a result of walking, stress is relieved and the state of mind is stabilized. Walking also changes brain waves.

### Correct walking practice

The correct practice of walking is possible by following the following 7 points:
* Clothing. Comfortable clothing that does not squeeze the body.
* Shoes. Light, familiar shoes.
* Body position. Back straight, chin tucked in.
* Mind. Consciousness is concentrated on one thing.
* Gaze. Look three meters ahead.
* Speed. Walk a little faster than usual.
* Place. Choose a place with the cleanest air. Avoid roads with a lot of cars, as well as bumpy roads.

### Variation

* Concentrate on the crown, imagine the Absolute as emptiness above the crown.
* Straighten your posture by concentrating on the crown, stretching the crown higher and higher, as high as possible. You can imagine that your entire body is suspended by this very top point.
* Look slightly above eye level.
* Walk extremely fast, as fast as possible.
* Rise up on your toes with each step.
* Lean more on the inside of your feet.
* Perform a pulsating contraction of the anus muscles.
* Keep your hands folded in some mudra.
* Perform pranayama while walking.
* Stand in place while maintaining perfect posture.
You can combine certain options from this list at your own discretion.