Walking the Land
Last winter, I dipped in and out of 52 Ways to Walk: The Surprising Science of Walking for Wellness and Joy, One Week at a Time, by Annabel Abbs-Streets. Being a lover of walking, I really enjoyed her suggestions of many ways to walk, and the benefits of each: walk in the mud, walk in the rain, in the snow, in the city, after eating, up a mountain, after waking up, etc., including, walk for 12 minutes. Eventually the book motivated me, and I decided to try walking for 12 minutes around my yard before breakfast.
Over time, as I walked the area beside my home almost every day, I started to feel more connected to the land beneath my feet, and also more grounded. I felt the spiritual power of this meditative experience, and the joy and impact of it kept me walking the same route day after day, in the cold and the heat, the sun and the rain. It became part of my daily life and routine.
Then, over the summer, I had pneumonia and was unavoidably out of commission. For many weeks, I couldn't take my 12-minute walk. When at last I was able to return to traversing my yard, I was amazed to feel and realize the power of the experience and the practice I had established. My morning perambulation was doing more for me than I had known.
All of which inspired me to share the experience and invite others to feel along with me the contemplative effect of connecting to the land on a regular basis. In particular, with all of the difficult emotions we each may be feeling related to the election, taking a short walk close to home every day can help calm anxiety and strengthen spirit and resolve.
So, I'm inviting you to begin Walking the Land with me, wherever you may be.
I've written a lot more about Walking the Land, all of which you can find here, along with a link to register and let me know that you’re walking. If you want to do this with your community, which might build some unexpected connections, I'd love to know. On the registration form, you'll see a place to sign up for a community or as an individual.
Feel free to adapt and adjust this idea to meet your needs. Whatever works for you is good. I would love to hear from you what you decide to do. If you do sign up, I am hosting periodic gatherings for people to share their experiences and you are welcome to participate.
Wishing you strength of spirit in the days and weeks to come.
Keep on walking,
Rabbi Katy
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