(~) Walking Wisdom

Rev. Dr. Sandra Bochonok.

"Then you will walk on your way securely and your foot will not stumble." Proverbs 3:23

Confucius offers us some fifth century wisdom worth reclaiming in the twenty-first century through his five excellent practices of pilgrimage. Perhaps his practices could help us be better people of faith. His five practices are brilliantly simple.

First, Confucius encourages us to practice the arts of attention and listening.

Secondly, practice the art of renewing yourself daily.

Third, he encourages meandering walking to the center of every place.

Fourth, practice reading sacred texts.

Finally, he encourages praise and singing.

Thich Nhat Hanh also encourages us to walk with gratitude. Gratitude reminds us how wonderful life is. He teaches young people a simple verse to practice while walking. "Oui, oui, oui," he recommends people say to themselves as they breathe in, and "Merci, merci, merci," as they breathe out (Hanh, Thich Nhat. "The Long Road Turns to Joy," p. 36). "Yes, yes, yes. Thanks, thanks, thanks." It helps people respond to life, to society, and to the Earth in a positive way.

Walking is good for our spirits. Confucius and Thich Nhat Hanh are not alone with their encouragement to walk in gratitude while singing. Many other spiritual traditions also understand life is a journey and we are all on a sacred path. Walk tall, walk faithfully, walk music in your hearts.

A Navaho song calls us to, "Walk on a rainbow trail; walk on a trail of song, and all about you will be beauty. There is a way out of every dark mist, over a rainbow trail."

Walking is good for our souls and Epicurus, a Greek philosopher who lived 341 to 270 B.C., reminds us that, "It is never too early or too late to care for the well-being of your soul." Seneca, a Roman philosopher, dramatist and statesman who lived 4 B.C. to 64 A.D., encourages us to "find a path or make one." Anaxagorus, another Greek philosopher who lived 500 to 428 B.C., taught in Athens that "life is a journey." An ancient Ilocano saying from the Northern Luzon Island in the Philippines wisely reminds us to go slowly if we are going a long way.

We can experience powerful meditative experiences through the use of finger labyrinths as well, slowly tracing the grooved path of the labyrinth with the fingers of our dominant and non-dominant hands. Or watch other walkers and let their movements become part of your meditation.

Many of us who are Christians have much to learn from other spiritual traditions. We will walk life better, because we have cared enough to learn from other faiths in an attitude of respect. Confucius and the other wisesages have been a great blessing for me today.

How are your spiritual practices? Are they as excellent as the ones suggested by the masters?

God, bless our souls with walking wisdom. As we journey through life, help us be more mindful of our breath and body movements. Empower our prayers with this awareness. Amen.

from "Living as the Beloved" published by Chi Rho Press

Used with permisson

Please visit the Chi Rho Press Web site. http://www.ChiRhoPress.com