Walking Traditions

The Walk will offer the opportunity to experience different approaches to walking together as a group. Various forms encourage the development of awareness.

At times we may explore the Buddhist tradition, the yatra, where walking in single file in silence, as a meditation, is encouraged.

In a Medicine Walk it is possible to walk with the awareness of nature as mirror, so that insight may be gained into aspects of our lives.

Walking or running games might be played, invented even. Blindfolded walking can be a powerful sensory experience.

The nature of the Walk will inevitably vary from day to day. On some days we will be visiting sacred sites, while on others we may be ‘just’ walking.

No doubt the English weather will also play its part in our experience! Come expecting the unexpected.

Rituals, Art, Movement and other Activities

We hope to encourage a great variety of ways of being together, interacting creatively with each other and with the land we walk upon.

For instance, some people may be moved to create environmental art works, perhaps using found natural objects, at places where we stop. Maybe shrines will be made, or prayers or ritual dances offered. Some people may feel moved to pick litter as they walk.

In the evenings, we hope sometimes to encourage storytelling, perhaps exploring some of that day’s experiences. Meditations and visualisations will be offered that can deepen our sense of connection with the web of life. Circle dance and 5 rhythms dance may be on offer at times. As well as sharing circles, we may often choose to use the form known as sitting in council, where we learn to listen and speak from the heart.

If space allows, we hope to bring along a small mobile yurt sauna, which will then also enable sweat lodge ceremonies to take place.

This list of possible activities is not meant to be exhaustive (though it may perhaps be exhausting, after a long day’s walking!). It is offered to give a flavour, and will no doubt evolve as the Walk progresses.