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
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