A therapy that I found so wonderful when working as a carer in Dementia Care was walking meditation, quietly, peacefully, in small steps giving love to the Earth below me, and the sky above. I discovered that walking peacefully and mindfully around the hospital, gave peace to the residents and patients as they felt my peace and love I had in the steps that I placed beneath me.
Sometimes the tablets that the individuals are given to support Dementia can make you wobble and confused on your feet. Walking meditation where you hold each other’s hands for support, you step forward together coordinated mindfully and you enjoy the sense of happiness it gives you to be walking, to have feet, to still be capable of walking around the garden on a beautiful summer’s evening.
Even if you have been bound to a wheelchair, using a walker and having somebody walk slowly and peacefully in front of you, reminds you that you can step forward again proudly in life, you are still here in physical, mental, and spiritual context, a slow and peaceful step will vibe you a sense of familiarity to the rooms in the house, the steps to the garden, all can be stored and recorded in the short term memory if it is repeatedly done.
Each day close your eyes and just walk for a few steps, make sure there is nothing around you to fall on, you can do this in an exercise hall with somebody there to guide you. When you are safe and comfortable, step slowly and peacefully for 6 steps, then open your eyes and take a deep breath in, releasing any fears when you breathe out, realising that even in the dark you are able to see the light and the road ahead.
Careful planning and the want to have peace in every step will suddenly become a daily practise, you will see and know that your loved one no matter what, is walking peacefully every day in spirit and in love. The purpose is to be in our present moment, becoming aware of our breath and walking, it is a very enjoyable walking meditation and can be done alone, with friends outside in nature. When we walk slowly to really enjoy the walking, rather than having to be somewhere, you encounter the feeling of oneness. Use this time to shake off the past, not worry about the future, but instead be at one with Mother Nature, see and feel all it has to offer in that moment, clearing your mind, body, and spirit.
Our lives are so fast-paced not, we barely stop to look around, when we are walking in slow steps and in a mindful way with a smile, we become awakened to other things happening outside of our own world. Make time to stop and enjoy life, we are only here a short time, and live each moment as if it were your last.
A lotus love,
Isabella Rose
Excert from book “I Still Know You” available in print.