How do we walk?

Frequently Asked Questions:

While we believe that you don’t need more than a basic understanding of the walking instructions (as presented in the video above) in order to begin to practice, we do understand that you may have some questions about what you’re doing and why, and these simple answers may help to release some of the tension you have regarding the practice, and help your mind to wander more freely.

Logistical questions 

1. What should I wear?
   • Anything comfortable. Don’t wear something that makes noise, like a bell, or other noisy jewelry.
2. Can I take breaks?
• Yes, the practice isn’t strict. You can break for water, using the toilet, stretching, resting, or asking one of the facilitators a question. Just pay attention, if you are taking many breaks, maybe you are avoiding the practice.
3. What should I do with my hands while I walk?
   • It doesn’t matter, whatever is comfortable.
4. Can I walk alone?
   • Anyone who wants to try this practice is more than welcome to do so. You can watch our Instructional Guidelines video, which is all the information you need in order to start the practice. That being said, there can be a certain advantage to walking with the group led by the facilitators, and if that is an option where you are, we recommend it. If it’s not an option, feel free to reach out to us via email or Facebook, and our facilitators are also happy to help guide you through the journey from afar.
5. Is it ok to go about my normal schedule during the 4 days?
   • We recommend finding 4 days to do the walking where you have as little other obligations as possible, in order to allow yourself to experience the full process. The effects of the practice continue even when you’re not walking. You may find that you’re more sensitive, have more energy, or have less energy. Any way that the process manifests for you is fine, and having the space to allow the process to happen can be beneficial.
6. Can I bring a snack?
   • Yes.
7. Are there toilets/water at Inner Walk?
   • Yes, there are toilets and cold water with reusable cups.
8. What should I do if I have a previous injury or mental health condition?
   • Please speak to one of the facilitators before beginning to walk.
9. Do I need to be present for the morning talk or the evening sharing circle?
   • Nothing is mandatory, though both sessions are strongly recommended.
10. Can I walk while detoxing/fasting?
    • It is not recommended to detox or fast during your first Inner Walk experience. Once you have completed the first 4 days, you are welcome to explore the practice further in any way you want.

Questions about the experience

1. Why do we walk barefoot?
   • When we walk barefoot, we feel the feet more, and it helps us to wake up from our thoughts more often. If you are walking on grass, sand, or uneven ground, wear shoes. 
2. Why do we walk for 4 hours?
   • In this practice we are training our “awareness” muscle. Whenever we train a muscle, it will only grow stronger and develop if we push it outside of its current capacity. Four hours of this type of observational awareness meditation is longer than our minds can handle. That’s where the growth happens.
3. Why do we walk for 15 meters?
   • It’s long enough for our mind to wander, but short enough for us not to stay asleep in our daydream for very long.
4. Why do we walk in a group?
   • We receive energetic support while walking, and we receive reflections to our experience during the sharing circle that can help us understand our own experience.
5. Why do we walk on concrete?
   • Any hard surface will do. A soft or comfortable surface would not wake us up as often. 
6. Why do we need to mark each end of the 15 meters?
   • So that we don’t focus on how long we’ve walked, and have an external sign to turn around.
7. Why should we look down at a 60-degree angle?
   • Looking straight ahead keeps our attention on a focused spot, and we want to relax and allow the mind the wander. If we look around us So we keep our gaze at a comfortable angle towards the floor. That way our mind goes inward more, and wanders.
8. Why should we turn around on the spot at each end?
   • If we do a wide U turn into the angle, we don’t allow the turn to stop us and wake us up from our thoughts.
9. What should I think about while I walk?
   • There is nothing to focus on. Just walk. Whatever comes up, just see it, and continue walking. You also shouldn’t “try” not to focus on anything. Simply allow your mind to go where it goes. If you notice your mind trying to take control by counting steps, focusing on a conscious thought (“deciding” to think about something), repeating a mantra, or anything else – simply notice that it’s happening, and continue walking.
10. What do I do if I struggle with a thought or an emotion while walking?
    • Simply observe the thought or emotion and continue to walk. If you feel like it becomes too much, you can take a break or speak to one of the facilitators.
11. What if I experience pain while I walk?
    • This is perfectly normal. You can continue to walk and observe the pain. If you feel like it becomes too much, you can take a break.
12. My hands feel funny, is this normal?
    • You may experience, especially in the beginning, a strange sensation in your hands. You might feel a tingling, or your hands might get swollen. This is very common, and resolves quickly after you stop walking. It is a way for the body to expel the energy that it is shifting through the practice.
13. What do I do if I feel like I’m too tired to walk?
    • This is very common, simply continue to walk. You can observe the feeling of being tired, it will pass. If it continues, you can take a break.
14. Can I use other meditation techniques that I have done before while I walk? (Mantra, counting, breathing, etc)
    • Try not to revert to any previous meditation techniques you know of, and if it does happen, just see that it happened and continue to walk.
15. Is there an “advanced level” of this practice?
    • There are many ways to deepen your experience with the practice. For more information and guidance, please speak to one of the facilitators.