WALKING INTO 2015
The journey known as Padakun has taken us down many surprising side trails this past year, and looks to do the same for the coming year. The year included a major presentation on contemplative walking at a mindfulness conference in Fredericton, the acquisition of certification for Nordic poling, the founding of the Kick and Push Pedestrian Society [KAPPS], Renfrew County’s newest walking group, and numerous wonderful walks throughout the County. All through the year, I have been pleased with a number of enthusiastic walkers of all ages and all interests. I have made the acquaintance of a few sympathetic walking authors and am convinced that interest in walking, for recreational and spiritual purposes, will only continue to grow.
We had a unexpectedly pleasant [for December] final KAPPS walk for the year. Having wrapped up the route from Renfrew to Calabogie in November, we concluded our double-route adventure, with a relaxed walk into Arnprior, and equally relaxed circuit through Gillies Grove. Although the last section of entering Arnprior was little more than bare fields, the walk in the Grove, with its old-growth trees and friendly fellow walkers, more than made up for the early part of the walk.
Having concluded these two routes we now have the delightful obligation of planning our progress for the coming year. I will be circulating a short questionnaire to all our interested walkers. Please take the time to complete this so we can have the most satisfying monthly walks for 2015.
As the Walker knows, we cannot predict what the trail will look like further along. The path does unfold as we walk it.
Yours , on the journey,
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn
Monday 29 December 2014
Sunday 21 December 2014
TWO NEW WALKING BOOKS
NEW BOOKS - THE LOST ART AND WALKING
A couple more new books arrived in the mail this week. The first is The Lost Art of Walking: The History, Science, and Literature of Pedestrianism, by Geoff Nicholson and the other is Walking Meditation, a collection of three essays by Thervada Buddhist monks. The pair are entirely different, but valuable additions to my walker’s bookshelf.
Nicholson is a sharp-tongued veteran walker of streets and paths. He is at much at home on a mountain trail as he is on the celebrated streets of Los Angeles. I was fascinated by his efforts to re-walk the streets of some famous LA detective stories. His is a readable and light style. A great companion for any walker.
The Theravada collection is quite different. It is three separate essays each by an experienced and committed contemplative walker. The first, Walking Meditation in the Thai Forest Tradition is a straightforward and simple exposition of walking meditation in that tradition. The middle piece, Walking Meditation is Wonderful, captures the enthusiasm of a contemplative walker. I so much appreciated his advice that we “don’t consider walking as second class meditation”. This is one of the primary themes of my own Walk Like A Mountain. The third and longest essay, Walking Meditation Practices. This is a solid practical guide and contains plenty of insight on insight.
The Nicholson book is available at major booksellers. The Walking Meditation book is only available through Source Vipassana. My local contact is Source Vipassana, c/o Judith Fox-Lee, 100 Seaborn Lane RR.4, Perth, ON K7H 3C6, 613-267-3973, infoATsourcevipassana.ca, www.sourcevipassana.ca .
Yours , on the journey,
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn
A couple more new books arrived in the mail this week. The first is The Lost Art of Walking: The History, Science, and Literature of Pedestrianism, by Geoff Nicholson and the other is Walking Meditation, a collection of three essays by Thervada Buddhist monks. The pair are entirely different, but valuable additions to my walker’s bookshelf.
Nicholson is a sharp-tongued veteran walker of streets and paths. He is at much at home on a mountain trail as he is on the celebrated streets of Los Angeles. I was fascinated by his efforts to re-walk the streets of some famous LA detective stories. His is a readable and light style. A great companion for any walker.
The Theravada collection is quite different. It is three separate essays each by an experienced and committed contemplative walker. The first, Walking Meditation in the Thai Forest Tradition is a straightforward and simple exposition of walking meditation in that tradition. The middle piece, Walking Meditation is Wonderful, captures the enthusiasm of a contemplative walker. I so much appreciated his advice that we “don’t consider walking as second class meditation”. This is one of the primary themes of my own Walk Like A Mountain. The third and longest essay, Walking Meditation Practices. This is a solid practical guide and contains plenty of insight on insight. The Nicholson book is available at major booksellers. The Walking Meditation book is only available through Source Vipassana. My local contact is Source Vipassana, c/o Judith Fox-Lee, 100 Seaborn Lane RR.4, Perth, ON K7H 3C6, 613-267-3973, infoATsourcevipassana.ca, www.sourcevipassana.ca .
Yours , on the journey,
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn
Friday 5 December 2014
WILD OPENS THIS WEEK
WILD OPENS THIS WEEK
I’ve been reading about a new film, Wild, for a few weeks now and it looks like it will be the top walkers’ film for 2014. It tells the story of a young woman with a number of problems who undertakes the arduous Pacific Crest Trail for all those reasons we walkers approach any pilgrimage. This is described as one of the finest and most demanding trail walks in the world, passing through every environment between Mexico and British Columbia.
The film is based on the memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail written by Cheryl Strayed. Talk about people whose names predict their lives!
The book jacket says:
At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State—and she would do it alone.
Critics are raving about the performance of Reese Witherspoon as the author. Canadian director Jean-Marc Vallée, fresh from The Dallas Buyers Club success has apparently done an extraordinary job. Lots of Oscar buzz around this 2 hour epic.
For the trailer - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2305051/
For Cheryl Strayed’s website - http://www.cherylstrayed.com/wild_108676.htm
Yours , on the journey,
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn
I’ve been reading about a new film, Wild, for a few weeks now and it looks like it will be the top walkers’ film for 2014. It tells the story of a young woman with a number of problems who undertakes the arduous Pacific Crest Trail for all those reasons we walkers approach any pilgrimage. This is described as one of the finest and most demanding trail walks in the world, passing through every environment between Mexico and British Columbia.
The film is based on the memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail written by Cheryl Strayed. Talk about people whose names predict their lives!The book jacket says:
At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State—and she would do it alone.
Critics are raving about the performance of Reese Witherspoon as the author. Canadian director Jean-Marc Vallée, fresh from The Dallas Buyers Club success has apparently done an extraordinary job. Lots of Oscar buzz around this 2 hour epic.
For the trailer - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2305051/
For Cheryl Strayed’s website - http://www.cherylstrayed.com/wild_108676.htm
Yours , on the journey,
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn
Monday 1 December 2014
EVERYBODYWALKS
EVERYBODYWALKS
There is a wonderful YouTube channel and website called EveryBodyWalks and its worth regular checking for us walking folks. It has articles and numerous videos which include health videos, travel guides to great city walks in North America (mostly the US) and some “toolkits” that help you develop walk-and-talk meetings for your workplace or make presentations in any setting.
There is a doc available called The Walking Revolution. It was produced by Every Body Walk! And is a 30-minute documentary film that's guaranteed to get you walking. The Walking Revolution explores the tremendous changes a regular walking routine can make in your life and community.
EveryBodyWalks is found at http://everybodywalk.org/
One I watched recently featured the benefits of walking your dog - the benefits for them and you. Probably the weirdest thing about this video is that it has a few minutes of conversation with Wil Wheaton, the actor who played Wesley Crusher, the Star Trek Ensign everyone loved to hate. He’s a committed dog-walker now, which fully redeems him in my mind.
Yours , on the journey,
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn
There is a wonderful YouTube channel and website called EveryBodyWalks and its worth regular checking for us walking folks. It has articles and numerous videos which include health videos, travel guides to great city walks in North America (mostly the US) and some “toolkits” that help you develop walk-and-talk meetings for your workplace or make presentations in any setting.
There is a doc available called The Walking Revolution. It was produced by Every Body Walk! And is a 30-minute documentary film that's guaranteed to get you walking. The Walking Revolution explores the tremendous changes a regular walking routine can make in your life and community.
EveryBodyWalks is found at http://everybodywalk.org/
One I watched recently featured the benefits of walking your dog - the benefits for them and you. Probably the weirdest thing about this video is that it has a few minutes of conversation with Wil Wheaton, the actor who played Wesley Crusher, the Star Trek Ensign everyone loved to hate. He’s a committed dog-walker now, which fully redeems him in my mind.
Yours , on the journey,
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn
Thursday 20 November 2014
SLIPPIN’ AN SLIDIN’
SLIPPIN’ AN SLIDIN’
It began this week. With a mix of snow and ice and rain over the past week we now have an equal mix of walking conditions. This are not my favourite walking conditions but you get what you get. All we can do is adapt. I’ve switched from my light-weight walking shoes to an insulated heavier weight boot. These will be the go-to boots until spring, I expect, with the exception of a week of beach-walking in Cuba.
KAPPS is holding its final walk for 2014 this weekend and we finish up with the north section of the K and P. Hope to see a good group out. Of course we’ll try some snow-shoeing and some XC skiing but its not quite the same as walking.
Great walker’s gadgets
Here’s a couple of new gadgets:
First I got a terrific glowing arm-band at The Source for about $15. It has the usual combo of a bright orange glow or a flashing light. The strap is sturdy and the light is good and bright.
Next, I’ve been seeing a new feature in winter boots. These are reversible or snap-out cleats on the bottom of the boots. This relieves you of the hassle of carrying and strapping on ice cleats. I have no experience yet, but will keep watching for them. There seem to be a number of variations, with no clear winner in the technology.
Yours , on the journey,
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn
PS - No news on Thay as of this afternoon.
It began this week. With a mix of snow and ice and rain over the past week we now have an equal mix of walking conditions. This are not my favourite walking conditions but you get what you get. All we can do is adapt. I’ve switched from my light-weight walking shoes to an insulated heavier weight boot. These will be the go-to boots until spring, I expect, with the exception of a week of beach-walking in Cuba.
KAPPS is holding its final walk for 2014 this weekend and we finish up with the north section of the K and P. Hope to see a good group out. Of course we’ll try some snow-shoeing and some XC skiing but its not quite the same as walking.
Great walker’s gadgets
Here’s a couple of new gadgets:
First I got a terrific glowing arm-band at The Source for about $15. It has the usual combo of a bright orange glow or a flashing light. The strap is sturdy and the light is good and bright.
Next, I’ve been seeing a new feature in winter boots. These are reversible or snap-out cleats on the bottom of the boots. This relieves you of the hassle of carrying and strapping on ice cleats. I have no experience yet, but will keep watching for them. There seem to be a number of variations, with no clear winner in the technology.
Yours , on the journey,
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn
PS - No news on Thay as of this afternoon.
Monday 17 November 2014
FAST OR SLOW
FAST OR SLOW
A fellow practitioner and I were talking about indoor walking and she commented on how different it was from outdoor walking , in particular that outdoor walking meant a faster pace, and seemed to her to offer less benefit for awareness.
In some respects this can be true. What I have found from my own working with speed-walking is, if you have developed a capacity for contemplative walking at the slower indoor paces, and have good stability to your attention, then you can bring that even to speed-walking. The only caution I can add is that to turn fast walking into contemplative walking, you need to ensure minimal distraction on the path. This means a route free of traffic, intersections or decision-making. You need to be able to walk from start to finish without significant distraction. Its worth a try, and can be inserted for 10-15 minutes in a slower or more complex walk.
Don’t forget the next KAPPS walk on Sunday November 23rd. This will be a lovely hike down to Calabogie with brekkies at Polly’s in Calabogie. For details, see http://www.padakun.com/this-months-kapps-walk/
We would be remiss if we did not extend our best wishes to our friends in the world-family of Vietnamese monk, Thich Nhat Hahn. The 88 year old “Thay” is presently in hospital and stable. He has been a huge influence on walkers everywhere and was one of the main proponents of the kind of mindful walking we share with him. He is our standard quote source below and I know the Earth is holding him in a loving embrace today.
Yours , on the journey,
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn
Friday 7 November 2014
PEDESTRIANISM
PEDESTRIANISM
This week I started into Pedestrianism: When Watching People Walk Was America's Favorite Spectator Sport, Matthew Algeo’s new book that documents the rise of competitive walking in the US in the late 1800's. Lest you think this is too dull or weird a topic for anyone but a walking-obsessed guy like yours truly, let me dispel that thought right now. I’m only about half-way into the book, but I’m totally captivated by this wonderful story of characters, rivalries and human achievement. We meet the colourful showman, Edward Payson Weston who transformed himself from an accidental messenger to the Father of Arena Walking in a few years. Bold and flamboyant in his velvet pants and riding crop, he set numerous endurance records, including the 500 mile in 6 day record that formed the basis of his rivalry with others, especially the fellow countryman, the taciturn Irishman, Daniel O’Leary. The two chased each other across two continents and in doing so gave birth to the whole phenomenon of arena-based sports entertainment. Who would have imagined thousands of people paying to cram into an old cattle hall to watch two guys circle a track for days on end. And we needn’t think this was a boys’ club, the book also introduces Madame Anderson, a similarly colourful character who typifies that New Woman spirit of late Victorianism. By coincidence, this same historical period also marks the rise of other sports phenomena like roller skating, baseball, hockey and virtually every other modern-day spectator sport, and the emergence of sports venues and journalism themselves.
The book is lightly written and not the least pedantic. The pace, like Weston’s walking style, is even and full of little side-amusements. It never rambles off the track, even when it introduces side-stories. Like Weston’s cornet-playing while he walked, this title announces the nearly lost history of a unique and important period of our history. Required reading for any aspiring pedestrian.
Yours , on the journey,
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn
This week I started into Pedestrianism: When Watching People Walk Was America's Favorite Spectator Sport, Matthew Algeo’s new book that documents the rise of competitive walking in the US in the late 1800's. Lest you think this is too dull or weird a topic for anyone but a walking-obsessed guy like yours truly, let me dispel that thought right now. I’m only about half-way into the book, but I’m totally captivated by this wonderful story of characters, rivalries and human achievement. We meet the colourful showman, Edward Payson Weston who transformed himself from an accidental messenger to the Father of Arena Walking in a few years. Bold and flamboyant in his velvet pants and riding crop, he set numerous endurance records, including the 500 mile in 6 day record that formed the basis of his rivalry with others, especially the fellow countryman, the taciturn Irishman, Daniel O’Leary. The two chased each other across two continents and in doing so gave birth to the whole phenomenon of arena-based sports entertainment. Who would have imagined thousands of people paying to cram into an old cattle hall to watch two guys circle a track for days on end. And we needn’t think this was a boys’ club, the book also introduces Madame Anderson, a similarly colourful character who typifies that New Woman spirit of late Victorianism. By coincidence, this same historical period also marks the rise of other sports phenomena like roller skating, baseball, hockey and virtually every other modern-day spectator sport, and the emergence of sports venues and journalism themselves.The book is lightly written and not the least pedantic. The pace, like Weston’s walking style, is even and full of little side-amusements. It never rambles off the track, even when it introduces side-stories. Like Weston’s cornet-playing while he walked, this title announces the nearly lost history of a unique and important period of our history. Required reading for any aspiring pedestrian.
Yours , on the journey,
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn
Sunday 2 November 2014
WALKERS AND HUNTERS
WALKERS AND HUNTERS
I was out on part of the K and P a few days ago and was reminded of the uneasy relationship we pedestrians have with hunters. I was strolling along with my three dogs and enjoying the crisp fall air and sharply blue sky when I heard gunshots in the distance. This is not that unusual as I can frequently hear someone taking care of a groundhog or be aware of some of the duck or turkey areas that are near the trail.
This was different. It was very close, in an area I know is only active in deer season and I could not be certain who was out and what direction they were traveling, and more crucially, where they were aiming. Of course, I turned and headed back to safer territory.
I have no time for debates about the ethics of hunting, the rights of hunters or the whole matter of meat-eating. What I know keenly is that many of the trails I enjoy exist because of those who enjoy that activity and who maintain them year round. In policy circles they call it shared access or mixed-use resourcing. It means that we have to share these trails and learn to get along respectfully. None of us has more rights than others, none of us is more entitled. And we have to remember guns have one purpose - killing.
Anyone who walks has to know we have to remain alert on the trail. It can be for the dangers of either wilderness or civilization. This means watching for ATVs, cyclists, snow bridges, loose dogs, horse plops and collapsed swamp banks. If you want guaranteed safety, I suggest mall-walking.
In the meantime, for the next several weeks, we have to remain alert and cautious.
Yours , on the journey,
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn
I was out on part of the K and P a few days ago and was reminded of the uneasy relationship we pedestrians have with hunters. I was strolling along with my three dogs and enjoying the crisp fall air and sharply blue sky when I heard gunshots in the distance. This is not that unusual as I can frequently hear someone taking care of a groundhog or be aware of some of the duck or turkey areas that are near the trail.
This was different. It was very close, in an area I know is only active in deer season and I could not be certain who was out and what direction they were traveling, and more crucially, where they were aiming. Of course, I turned and headed back to safer territory.
I have no time for debates about the ethics of hunting, the rights of hunters or the whole matter of meat-eating. What I know keenly is that many of the trails I enjoy exist because of those who enjoy that activity and who maintain them year round. In policy circles they call it shared access or mixed-use resourcing. It means that we have to share these trails and learn to get along respectfully. None of us has more rights than others, none of us is more entitled. And we have to remember guns have one purpose - killing.
Anyone who walks has to know we have to remain alert on the trail. It can be for the dangers of either wilderness or civilization. This means watching for ATVs, cyclists, snow bridges, loose dogs, horse plops and collapsed swamp banks. If you want guaranteed safety, I suggest mall-walking.
In the meantime, for the next several weeks, we have to remain alert and cautious.
Yours , on the journey,
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn
Monday 27 October 2014
PEDESTRIANISM IN DICKENS FILM
WALKING VICTORIANS
I was watching a terrific film about Charles dickens and his tragic relationship with actress Ellen Ternan called The Invisible Woman (highly recommend it, BTW). In the film we get a glimpse of the Victorian pastime of outdoor walking.
In the scene we see Dickens and Ternan strolling in the countryside. Because, like many Victorians, their relationship was frowned on by polite society, they took to the relative privacy of the walking paths for their time together.
You see a similar thing in Pride and Prejudice, for the same reasons.
I was watching a terrific film about Charles dickens and his tragic relationship with actress Ellen Ternan called The Invisible Woman (highly recommend it, BTW). In the film we get a glimpse of the Victorian pastime of outdoor walking.
You see a similar thing in Pride and Prejudice, for the same reasons.
TWO OCTOBER WALKING EVENTS
TWO EVENTS
Thanks to the folks who attended our two monthly events recently. Last weekend we explored indoor and outdoor walking in a special Walk-tober workshop. (For more on Walk-tober)
In the indoor part we worked with two labyrinths, one the classic Greek model, the other, the manda-lab I developed in Walk Like A Mountain. We used them as both walking experiences and as visualization aids. The participants found the manda-lab very effective as a true mandala, that is, a visual symbol for meditation practices. At the right you can see how we combined the two on the floor. The white is the manda-lab, the yellow is the Greek model.In the second part of that workshop, we learned Nordic poling technique and took a walk along the rail-bed walking trail just across from the Centre.
Over this past weekend we gathered once more for the monthly KAPPS walk. This walk took us from Goshen road to Campbell Road, just outside Arnprior. This is a very straight and flat trail but a nice mix of open fields and gentle forest. Two highlights were seeing the work on the highway extension very much up close, as the excavation comes right up to the trail at one point, and the other was passing the abandoned mushroom greenhouse experiment from a decade or so ago. I was reminded of the similarly optimistic and equally ill-fated experiment with tomato and cucumber growing in Newfoundland back in the 80's.
Yours , on the journey,
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn
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