Walking Meditation
Walking Meditation at Woodland Park Rose Garden
Walking Meditation at the Woodland Park Rose Garden
The Last Wednesday in June, July and August
7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Overview
We will start off at 7:00 pm with a brief gathering and then go off into our own directions through the garden. In most respects this is a leaderless meditation so please follow the links we are providing below for specific walking meditation guidance.
Your arrival time is not crucial as you may come at any time and stay as long as you wish.
At around 7:50 pm we conduct a brief loving kindness meditation n front of the gazebo. Please join us if you wish.
Walking Meditation
There are some excellent resources on the internet containing the details of walking meditation. Here are a few I would recommend to you:
An illustrated description:
Technique in Walking Meditation
Benefits of walking meditation:
Walking Meditation : Why You Should Try It
Meditating at the Rose Garden
The Rose Garden presents a few challenges and opportunities worth mentioning.
Path and Shoes - There are many grass paths and labyrinths in the garden and so bare feet work well. Do be aware though that there are places where you must walk on the gravel paths to get from one place to another. If you have moderately tough feet I would recommend that you take your shoes off as it is easier to center without them.
People - Since the Rose Garden is a public place you will not only encounter other meditators but also members of the general public. Encountering other people can generate a lot of thoughts during walking meditation and I suggest that you simply say "Hello" silently, notice whatever impression you get of the person and then bring your focus back to your step and your breath.
Sounds - As you might suspect, there are many sounds in the garden. Let me suggest the simple instruction that you acknowledge any unusual sounds in your mind by saying "hearing" and then changing your focus back to the step and breath. The Zoo Tunes program coincides with this meditation but we rarely hear much from those concerts.
Benches - There are several benches in the garden that offer a great chance to mix both walking and sitting meditation.
Here. Now. - The best thing about doing a walking meditation in a public place is that it affords the chance to bring the meditative mind to the outside. One realizes that strict quiet and a meditation pad or chair are not essential to meditating. After all, we are not meditating to become better meditators...
Rose Garden Details
The Rose Garden is located at the South Gate of the Woodland Park Zoo on NE 50th Street at Fremont Avenue North. Here is a link with directions and details:
Woodland Park Rose Garden Map and Directions
For those of you garden aficionados here is detailed information about the Rose Garden and the roses it has:
Woodland Park Zoo Rose Garden Page
For any questions you may have about the site please see:
Woodland Park Zoo visitor's page
Parking - Parking adjacent to the Rose Garden is at the South Gate (Hippo Lot). There is a fee to use the lot during zoo hours. After 6 pm parking is free per the Rose Garden Page. There is also free parking off of NE 50th east of the zoo just before the Highway 99 underpass. Finally, there is limited street parking south of the zoo.
