silent walking

This is a TikTok trend which has attracted a number of enthusiastic followers.  The idea is that you go for a walk but first you unplug yourself from whatever devices are occupying your time and attention.  Remove the earbuds and headphones so that you can observe your surroundings and listen to the sounds made in the environment.  The older generation raises an eyebrow and says that they do this all the time.  Looking out my window at the path along the river I observe that the younger walkers are all either on their phones or plugged in and listening to something. The trend doesn’t seem to have made its way to the Cooks River in Sydney.

Psychologists say that it is a form of active meditation for those who find the seated meditation too difficult.  The walk sets a time and a regular pathway that gives just enough stimulus to keep the walker happy while their mind settles and engages with the random thoughts that come unbidden.  I find that doing the ironing is another activity that keeps you tethered to the task in hand while allowing the mind to wander.  Perhaps silent ironing will take off too!