Zen Practice includes mindful walking, or kinhin in Japanese.

It refreshes our body between meditation periods.

It is mindful.

When the sitting period is over, at the sound of the bell, we stand up slowly, smoothly, with careful attention. We then mindfully transition to slow walking. Wait for the leader to strike the wooden clackers to begin walking meditation. We walk with our hands at our heart center.

How we do it:

• We hear the bell, all rise and place our hands in Gassho hand position( palm to palm), and bow when the wooden clackers strike. Follow out.

• The Kinhin leader will then strike the wood clackers to indicate the start of walking meditation. Move your hands to new hand position at your mid-chest. Place one fist on your sternum, and wrap the other hand around it. This gives you a stable walking position. Follow along the best you can.

• Move slowly following the others about an arms-length apart, paying attention to the pace of the leader. Keep up with the group.

• This is not a time to daydream or look around, but to practice Zazen in a moving form. Breathe naturally with each step. Feel your feet on the earth. If you hear a sound everything is Just As it Is. Continue for 5-10 minutes to refresh your legs and refresh your mind.

• Follow the Kinhin leader back into the Zen hall and stand still until the clackers hit one last time. Then sit down and resume Zazen.