Walking Meditation in Rapola

INTRODUCTION                                                                   [FI]


Walking meditation is often part of silence retreats. It is a form of meditation in action. In walking meditation we use the act of walking as our focus. We will have a more complete experience of meditation when we are walking, as we have to observe the surrondings at the same time, including the weather, the wind and the sun, the rain and the sounds of nature.

Eve, our walking meditation instructor has studied the ancient 
wisdom philosophy and practiced yoga and meditation daily for more than 15 years, and also attends annually 3 -5 days of silence retreats herself

BACKGROUND


The origins of walking meditation is in the Buddhist meditation tradition.
All meditation is not always so "Buddhist". Paying attention to how you breathe, or what you feel in your body when you walk, is not necessarily anything so religious. While meditating in one way or another, a person can pay attention to his/her own experience, and let it flourish by giving it greater awareness and love. When walking in nature, the experience is not disturbed by sounds of the surroundings.





HOW IS IT DONE

Walking meditation is done by walking in line in a slow, conscious manner in line paced by the walker’s breathing. The walk takes about. 45 minutes. The distance covered amounts to abt. 200 – 300 meters.

Walking is done in silence.

EFFECTS OF THE WALKING MEDITATION


Effects do not differ from the meditation in general.
  •           relaxing
  •           reducing the stress levels 
  •           clarifying thinking
  •           improving concentration
  •           releasing the mind of feelings and thought occupying it
The aimis to be able to maintain a continuously calm and strongly focused state of mind, and promote one’s wellness and happiness at any stage of life, in any situation or activity.

VENUE

Elonjuuri cooperative operates in the Pakari building of Voipaala Manor, in the historic village of Sääksmäki in Valkeakoski.  The parks and the rich nature of the milieu and the ancient Rapola ridge walking paths are well suited for walking meditation. 




FREQUENCY AND DURATION

Walking meditation can be arranged monthly or booked as a single recreational event, e.g. for business customers.

TARGET CUSTOMERS

  • Private people
  • Companies, communities, congregations
  • Group size: min 5 participants, max 18 - 20 people at the time               

WHAT IS NEEDED


Participants should have weather- and hiking appropriate clothing and footwear. If necessary, the organizer can arrange raincoats for those not having their own.




AN EXAMPLE OF THE PROGRAM

at 9.00 hrs                    Arrival                       
Silence begins
Introduction
What is meditation?
How the mind works?
How the walking meditation is done?

at 10.00 hrs                  Walking meditation (45 mins)

at 11.00 hrs                 Soup lunch

at 11.30 hrs                 Silence ends
                                  Sharing experiences with group

at 12.00 hrs                 End of activity

PRICING


Participation fee  70€ (includes tax 24%)
Season ticket including 3 times, 180€, 5 times  300€.
Groups  300€ - 1100€

Participation fee is due in advance. At the beginning of the walk no money is handled.


BOOKING AND INFORMATION


+ 358 (0) 50 351 794 Eve Holopainen
holopaisen.eve@gmail.com

OSUUSKUNTA ELONJUURI
Sääksmäentie 772, 37700 SÄÄKSMÄKI
elonjuuri@gmail.com
+ 358 (0)46 - 8826980 Milja Ketomäki


SUMMARY

Theme.....................Tranquility & Wellbeing 
Duration..................3h
Pax.........................1-5, groups: 6 - 20 persons
Price:......................70 € / person, groups 300€ - 1100€
What’s included......Warm beverage on arrival, lecture of walking meditation, guided                                                      walking, a vegetable soup lunch, salad buffet, bread, tee or coffee.
Availability...............Year-round
Booking and more info.....elonjuuri@gmail.com 
                                      + 358 (0) 50 351 794 Eve Holopainen