Editing Walking meditation (section)

== Theravāda ==

In [[Theravada|Theravāda]] Buddhism, walking meditation is frequently performed in conjunction with seated meditation. Walking meditation is particularly emphasized in forest monastic traditions and in [[Vipassana movement|vipassana]] traditions, where meditators alternate between sitting and walking to sustain [[mindfulness]] and balance energy levels. In Theravāda, walking meditation involves walking a straight path back and forth, often around 20–30 steps in length. The meditator may walk slowly, placing attention on the sensations in the feet as they touch the ground. In the Vipassana movement traditions, the meditator silently notes the various walking sensations with phrases like "lifting", "moving", and "placing" (the foot). The goal is to develop [[Sati (Buddhism)|sati (mindfulness)]] by staying present with the act of walking. 

This practice cultivates concentration and calms restlessness while training the mind to observe phenomena without attachment or aversion. In Vipassanā, or insight meditation, walking is used to deepen awareness of impermanence ([[Impermanence (Buddhism)|anicca]]), suffering ([[Duḥkha|dukkha]]), and non-self ([[anattā]]). The sensations experienced while walking—such as the contact of the feet, the rise and fall of the body, or environmental sounds—are observed as fleeting and insubstantial. Walking meditation thus becomes a tool for observing the arising and passing of phenomena, leading to direct insight into the nature of reality.