A meditative walking practice in an urban environment
With two steps forward and one step back, we will walk a distance of one kilometer in a meditative state. This kind of movement—two steps forward, one step back—produces an oscillatory wave-like dynamic aimed at a positive outcome (both literally and metaphorically). Oscillation refers to the repetitive back-and-forth motion of something between two positions or states. Besides the physical definition of the term, this movement can also be applied to the mental process of fluctuating between ideas, opinions, or views that may crystallize in the process of walking.
If you would like to initiate the practice in your city do not hesitate to contact us
Practices for Altered States is a long-term research project
Practice is a way of action - a set or sets of ways of doing, seeing, hearing or responding to gain experience and to alter the state of mind and body
*The practice is created with the financial support of National Culture Fund of Bulgaria, program "Creative Initiatives"
Some feedback from participants:
"After the first half an hour, really most of the barriers and blockages fall away and it becomes a very nice immersion and just merging with the wave, with the rhythm of the movement and it becomes very pleasant, no thoughts, no tension, just that little dot that you've concentrated on in front of you."
"For me, the main themes in this walk were patience, provocation, acceptance, connection, and pleasure. Patience to allow yourself enough time for things to unfold naturally without pushing them. Provocation because you go out and do something unusual and uncomfortable, but you have a group with whom you create a safe space. Acceptance, because you are left alone with your thoughts, they unfold in front of you as they are and the best option is to accept them so you can continue the process. Connecting because the aspiration is to be in sync with the group. I see this bonding as also being committed to the group. You also need to connect with your body to synchronize specific steps and breathing so they can automate at some point. It's enjoyable because when you manage to overcome the previous themes, you stay in a state of play and enjoyment of the movement, letting go of thoughts, and sinking into the moment."
"It is good to find time to meditate and to find one's own method of meditation through which to slow down time and thoughts and connect with one's inner world."
Thank you!
