It is known fact that walking is a great way to improve or maintain our emotional, physical and spiritual health. One of the advantages of walking is; it is something free and doesn’t require any special training or any equipment (unless there is a need).
Many professionals agree that walking increases cardiovascular fitness and pulmonary (heart and lung) fitness. It also can reduce risk of developing conditions of heart disease and strokes and increase other health benefits, such as strengthening bones, reducing body fat, etc. Psychologically, walking may boost the immune system and enhances the nervous system and cognitive functioning. Emotionally, walking in outdoors and nature can help us bringing about feeling of inner peace and calmness since it can dramatically improve moods and feelings of well-being.
Beside, these health and emotional benefits, walking is also a spiritual practice that yields so many spiritual benefits. When we explore some of the ancient spiritual traditions, Patriarchal fathers and prophets in Judaism, monastics in Christianity, sufis in Islam, monks in Buddhism and Taoism, and Hindu hermits made walking a part of their spiritual path. As an example, mindfulness walking became a means for persons to be aware of their connection with the holiness within themselves, with the Divine, and with the Earth.
Pilgrimages are a part of every religious and spiritual tradition. What happens when we walk with God? The example of the patriarch Abraham (a wandering Aramean) shows us that life gets exciting, adventurous, and even challenging when we make a journey. Imagine how Abraham, Sarai, and their people made a journey mostly through walking. God called them to leave their home and family and embark on a journey to a land they do not know. Their long journey of walking would have connected them to the wondrous world of nature that God had created.
Abraham is depicted in the story as responding to God without any hesitation or questioning (Gen. 12:1-8). He began his journey with his wife without much direction and maps. And he accepted the promise of God without knowing what it was. But, he relied upon God although he did not know where he was heading. And that response of Abraham dramatically changed not only the course of his life, but also the lives of many generations until today. He was invited to leave the world of familiar, his country, and his father’s house in order to find his security in the promise of God. Abraham journeyed mostly on foot hoping in the belief that one day his journey will lead to the fulfillment of the promises of God.
The spiritual journeys of the Holy Bible help us to have a daily walk with God through the challenges we have never faced before. God created us for a walking relationship that involved companionship, dialogue, intimacy, and joint decision-making. God longs to walk with us.
— Fr. Niranjan Rodrigo, Ph.D.
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