Whilst meditation doesn't have to be with your eyes closed, its great practice to begin your wander with an open mind and to open all your other senses. To really understand where you are, you have to feel it, smell it, hear it and breathe it. Of course, this is always easier said than done but it is not impossible to achieve and you don’t need to be a Zen guide or Meditation Guru to try. Whatever kind of day you might be starting, having or have had, take a moment for yourself and be where you are.

Before we begin, make sure you are in an open area with plenty of space. Enough space to take about 10-15 steps. Try to find an area away from distractions. You should be wearing comfortable clothing which allows movement. Take a few minutes to prepare yourself and when you are ready, begin.

I'll start this with a question because let's be honest, it needs to be asked.

Now, before we start I would like you to come into the present moment. This is a phrase often heard when we talk about meditation but what does coming into the present moment mean for you? Does it mean to be fully aware of your emotions and of the thinker behind your thoughts or does it mean to not really be thinking at all. Today we are going to take both approaches and seek awareness of how we are feeling without being consumed by our thoughts.

Arrive here, in this moment. You have chosen to make time for yourself, and to spend this time in nature. To be at one, with nature. Notice the path you’ve chosen, the destination, the park. This park, this path, you have chosen, because you want to be here. In nature.

As you begin this walking meditation in energy and light, you are aware of yourself and your surroundings. You are just as safe and alert as always. You are simply adding a focused awareness on your breathing, body and mind.

Step outside into the fresh, crisp air. Take a moment to observe the cleanness of the air, the abundance of light around you. The sun is shining, and you are cool and comfortable. Feel the ground firm and steady beneath your feet. Now, let’s close our eyes and take a few slow deep breaths.

This summer, my matron goddess has called to me. She has shown herself to me, and she has shown me just how many ways she can help me to change my life. I found the perfect mantra meditation for her on youtube. Just starting to work with her by researching her she has shown me she can heal my pain, my symptoms of illness. The first night I worked with her she made a Mixed Connective Tissue Diseases flare completely disappear. From then on, I started meditating with her every night. A lot of nights, I have deep experiences with her through visions in meditations and through thoughts and feelings she sends to me while I am in the meditative state.

Living in a busy city there is very little time to relax. Between the hustle and bustle of the city, it is rare to take the time and slow down. I live in a city where snow is around for 6 months of the year, so not everyone likes to go on walks but those that do often have a dog attached to a leash. I, myself am a dog lover but with his old age, it’s been hard to motivate him to walk for more than a block. So, the only other thing to do is to go on a meditation walk. What is a meditation walk? Everyone has their own definition of what a meditation walk is, everyone has a different way of relaxing. However, he is what a meditation walk looks like for me. Near my house, there are two schools with large fields and the one closest to me is my favourite place to go and think about life. You walk up a hill and there is a large soccer field and it feels like you could just go on forever.

Finding peace in the busy world can be a difficult thing. Finding the time to access the peace you can find can be tricky. Just ten minutes a day of mindfulness can make all the difference. If you are not the type to sit in silence and connect to the mind, walking meditation might be for you. Walking meditation can help you feel more grounded and balanced while allowing you to establish an awareness of your body, thoughts, and surroundings. For this meditation, find a pathway you enjoy and feel comfortable walking. Allow yourself to be in the moment along the way and open your mind and find comfort within yourself.

Mindfulness is being aware of all thoughts, acknowledging the positive and negative forces tugging at you from every side. Slowing down and focusing on where your head is at, can help you see things more clearly. Begin by closing your eyes and steadying your breathing. Feel the rhythms of the air flowing in and out of your lungs. Allow your mind to focus on the beat of your heart as it falls into rhythm with your breathing. Strip away the exterior influences, the noise pollution, the whispering voices of negativity, the other. Focus on self.