Walking meditations

Not far away is a spot which holds special sacredness for me. A 20-minute walk along the nearby river leads me to a forest of lilacs grown wild. Perhaps they spread from the long-ago garden of a Victorian farmstead. Now dense shrubs cover several acres of old meadow and fill the early June air with fragrance.

One of the most useful habits I have learned in recent years is to take a daily walk. Whether I follow the lilac path or meander to the riverside vista and sunset silhouette view of the city's hilltop cathedral, my strolls have become a source of comfort and inspiration. It is not yet firmly established in my routine as I would like it to be. In particular, cold or gloomy weather seems to deter me. A daily walk is most beneficial when it goes ahead, rain or shine. But even  my intermittent ritual brings benefit.

Thomas Moore, in his book, The Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life, calls for us to draw nature into our lives. A sacred experience of place is essential to our souls. We can restore inner health and peace by establishing places of sanctuary in our gardens and homes.

But motion through natural areas affects us on an even more profound level. Scholars of archaeology and folklore have noticed that through history, various cultures have used the same travel routes at different times and in different ways. Straight pathways called ley lines emerge from ancient British mythology. The Chinese practice of Feng Shui determined the proper location of houses and other buildings based on geometry of the landscape.

I have found inspiration, when walking outdoors, in considering all those individuals whose footsteps I follow. Ojibway hunters, European fur trappers, early colonists, Victorian farmers, and school children have helped wear paths along the Eramosa River. Bless my home city for keeping its riversides green and wooded! Sharing my day in history with all the travelers who have gone before, it is impossible not to experience significant spiritual energy. After all, pilgrimage has played an important role is many of the world's cultures.

Here are several active meditations you can use when walking, to heighten your experience. These are inspired, though not drawn directly, from The Intimacy and Solitude Workbook by Stephanie Dowrick.

1. Watch your surroundings for signs of change. In winter perhaps there is a snowdrift that moves in the daily sun and wind. In spring there will be new birds returning and branches budding. Choose one natural feature