Walking meditation
Walking meditation, sometimes known as kinhin (Chinese: 經行; Pinyin: jīngxíng; Romaji: kinhin or kyōgyō; Korean: gyeonghyaeng; Vietnamese: kinh hành), is a practice within several forms of Buddhism that involve movement and periods of walking between long periods of sitting meditation.[1] In different forms, the practice is common in various traditions of both Theravada and in Mahayana Buddhism.
Practice[edit]
Practitioners typically walk clockwise around a room while holding their hands in a gesture with one hand closed in a fist while the other hand grasps or covers the fist (Chinese: 叉手; pinyin: chā shǒu; rōmaji: shashu).[2] During walking meditation each step is taken after each full breath.[3] The pace of walking meditation can be either slow (several steady steps per each breath) or brisk, almost to the point of jogging.[2]
Etymology[edit]
The term kinhin consists of the Chinese words 經, meaning "to go through (like the thread in a loom)", with "sutra" as a secondary meaning, and 行, meaning "walk". Taken literally, the phrase means "to walk straight back and forth."
Research[edit]
Walking meditation has been studied to investigate whether it has potential benefits for the following health problems:
- cardiotoxicity of anthracycline chemotherapy in people with breast cancer[4]
- Parkinson's disease[5]
- chronic ankle instability[6][7]
- balance abilities in older people with history of fall[8]
- exercise capacity and quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure[9]
- glycemic control and vascular function in people with type 2 diabetes[10]
- depression, functional fitness, and endothelium-dependent vasodilation in older people[11]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Maezumi & Glassman 2002, pp. 48–9.
- ^ a b Aitken 1999, pp. 35–6.
- ^ "Kinhin". Empty Bowl Zendo. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
- ^ Siripanya, Saowalak; Parinyanitikul, Napa; Tanaka, Hirofumi; Suksom, Daroonwan (September 2023). "Home-Based Buddhist Walking Meditation Mitigates Cardiotoxicity of Anthracycline Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial". Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine. 29 (9): 562–573. doi:10.1089/jicm.2022.0778. ISSN 2768-3613. PMID 37036793.
- ^ Mitarnun, Witoon; Mitranun, Witid; Mitarnun, Wenika; Pangwong, Wilasinee (March 2022). "Home-Based Walking Meditation Decreases Disease Severity in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial". Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine. 28 (3): 227–233. doi:10.1089/jicm.2021.0292. ISSN 2768-3613. PMID 35294297.
- ^ Lapanantasin, Saitida; Thongloy, Natee; Samsee, Manatsawee; Wonghirunsombat, Natchapol; Nuangpulsarp, Norasate; Ua-Areejit, Chudmanee; Phattaraphanasakul, Phatchayanun (May 2022). "Comparative effect of walking meditation and rubber-band exercise on ankle proprioception and balance performance among persons with chronic ankle instability: A randomized controlled trial". Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 65: 102807. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102807. ISSN 1873-6963. PMID 35093512.
- ^ Chatutain, Apsornsawan; Pattana, Jindarut; Parinsarum, Tunyakarn; Lapanantasin, Saitida (July 2019). "Walking meditation promotes ankle proprioception and balance performance among elderly women". Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 23 (3): 652–657. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2018.09.152. ISSN 1532-9283. PMID 31563384.
- ^ Phoobangkerdphol, Chalida; Limampai, Patchara; Dasri, Sirinuch; Kuptniratsaikul, Vilai (April 2022). "Walking meditation versus balance training for improving balance abilities among older adults with history of fall: A randomized controlled trial". Clinical Rehabilitation. 36 (4): 538–549. doi:10.1177/02692155211068232. ISSN 1477-0873. PMID 34931904.
- ^ Srisoongnern, Sumana; Pajareya, Kingkaew; Sriboon, Rungladda; Thanakiatpinyo, Thanitta; Chirakarnjanakorn, Srisakul; Thirapatarapong, Wilawan (2021). "Effects of Buddhist walking meditation on exercise capacity and quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure: A randomized controlled trial". Heart & Lung: The Journal of Critical Care. 50 (3): 363–368. doi:10.1016/j.hrtlng.2021.02.005. ISSN 1527-3288. PMID 33618146.
- ^ Gainey, Atikarn; Himathongkam, Thep; Tanaka, Hirofumi; Suksom, Daroonwan (June 2016). "Effects of Buddhist walking meditation on glycemic control and vascular function in patients with type 2 diabetes". Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 26: 92–97. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2016.03.009. ISSN 1873-6963. PMID 27261988.
- ^ Prakhinkit, Susaree; Suppapitiporn, Siriluck; Tanaka, Hirofumi; Suksom, Daroonwan (May 2014). "Effects of Buddhism walking meditation on depression, functional fitness, and endothelium-dependent vasodilation in depressed elderly". Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 20 (5): 411–416. doi:10.1089/acm.2013.0205. ISSN 1557-7708. PMID 24372522.
Sources[edit]
- Smith, L. (2023). 28 Meditation Statistics: How Many People Meditate? The Good Body. https://www.thegoodbody.com/meditation-statistics/
- Team, M. (2022). How Many People Meditate? Mindworks Meditation. https://mindworks.org/blog/how-many-people-meditate/
- Wise, J. (2023). Meditation Statistics 2023: Popularity, Industry & Market Size - EarthWeb. EarthWeb. https://earthweb.com/meditation-statistics/#:~:text=Meditation%20Statistics%202023-,Approximately%20200%20to%20500%20million%20people%20across%20the%20globe%20partake,reduce%20school%20suspensions%20by%2045%25.
Bibliography[edit]
- Aitken, Robert (1999). Taking the Path of Zen. North Point Press. pp. 35–36. ISBN 0-86547-080-4.
- Maezumi, Hakuyu Taizan; Glassman, Bernie (2002). On Zen Practice: Body, Breath, Mind. Wisdom Publications. pp. 48–49. ISBN 086171315X.
- Jin, Putai. "Efficacy of Tai Chi, Brisk Walking, Meditation, and Reading In Reducing Mental and Emotional Stress". doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(92)90072-A
- Prakhinkit, Susaree "Effects of Buddhist Walking Meditation on glycemic control and vascular functions in patients with Type-2 Diabetes." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2016.03.009
- Prakhinkit, Susaree "Effects of Buddhism walking meditation on depression, functional fitness, and endothelium-dependent vasodilation in depressed elderly." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, vol. 20, no. 5, 2014, doi.org/10.1089/acm.2013.0205
- Chatutain, Apsornsawan “Walking Meditation Promotes Ankle Proprioception and Balance Performance among Elderly Women.” doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2018.09.152
- Smith, Alison. “Walking Meditation: Being Present and Being Pilgrim on the Camino De Santiago.” Religions, vol. 9, no. 3, 2018, p. 82., doi:10.3390/rel9030082