The mind can go in a thousand directions.

But on this beautiful path, I walk in peace.

With each step, a gentle wind blows.

With each step, a flower blooms.

— Walking meditation gatha by Thich Nhat Hanh

Dear Still Water Friends,

You are warmly invited to join the Still Water community for a silent walk and tea at the Audubon Naturalist Society's Woodend Sanctuary. Originally planned for October 2nd, because of weather conditions, the event has been rescheduled for October 9th.

Around 10:00 am we will gather near the mansion for introduction to each other and a brief description of silent outdoor walking meditation.

Around 10:20 will begin our silent walks along the accessible trail.

Around 10:50 am we will come together at the tables by the pond for tea, snacks, and songs.

Around 11:10 am we will sit and converse or stroll together in small groups and enjoying the landscape, flora, and fauna.

We will have a closing bell around 12 noon.

Friends and family are welcome. All participants are asked to follow CDC and Montgomery County covid guidelines for outdoor events. Because it is a wildlife sanctuary, dogs and other pets are not allowed in the sanctuary.

We would love to have you join us.

The Woodend Sanctuary is located at 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, Md.

• More Information about the sanctuary.
• Woodend trail map

Please register online so we know how many will be coming and so we can send you more information about the event.

An excerpt on walking meditation by Thich Nhat Hanh, is below.

Warm wishes,

The Woodend Walk Organizing team.

— Eliza, Mitchell, and Rachel

P.S. Did you register? 

 

Walking Meditation
by Thich Nhat Hanh, from Calming the Fearful Mind.

Walking meditation is meditation while walking. We walk slowly, in a relaxed way, keeping a light smile on our lips. When we practice this way, we feel deeply at ease, and our steps are those of the most secure person on Earth. Walking meditation is really to enjoy the walking—walking not in order to arrive, just for walking, to be in the present moment, and to enjoy each step. Therefore you have to shake oʃ all worries and anxieties, not thinking of the future,

not thinking of the past, just enjoying the present moment. Anyone can do it. It takes only a little time, a little mindfulness, and the wish to be happy.

We walk all the time, but usually it is more like running. Our hurried steps print anxiety and sorrow on the Earth. If we can take one step in peace, we can take two, three, four, and then five steps for the peace and happiness of humankind.

Our mind darts from one thing to another, like a monkey swinging from branch to branch without stopping to rest. Thoughts have millions of pathways, an

d we are forever pulled along by them into the world of forgetfulness. If we can transform our walking path into a ɹeld for meditation, our feet will take every step in full awareness, our breathing will be in harmony with our steps, and our mind will naturally be at ease. Every step we take will reinforce our peace and joy and cause a stream of calm energy to ɻow through us. Then we can say, “With each step, a gentle wind blows.”