Mindful Thoughts for Walkers: Footnotes on the Zen Path

Mindful Thoughts

by Adam Ford

Mindful Thoughts for Walkers explores how walking is an opportunity to deepen our levels of physical and spiritual awareness.

Mindful walking can help us face the existential questions of 'Who am I?', 'Where have I come from?', 'What am I doing here?' and 'Where am I going?' Through a series of 25 succinct meditations on walking, Adam Ford presents an enlightening guide to how mindfulness and walking can help us improve our conscious living, including:

• Taking time to breathe;
• Finding your rhythm;
• Being aware of your surroundings; ­
• Long-distance walking;
• Walking with others;
• Walking by night, by rivers and canals, and exploring the city.

From a gentle daily stroll to a brisk hike across the mountaintops, this is a powerful reading companion for rural and urban walker alike.

If you like this, you might also be interested in Mindful Thoughts for Runners, Mindful Thoughts for Gardeners and Mindful Thoughts for Birdwatchers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Walking, Philosophy, Travel, Psychology, Nature, Spirituality

160 pages, Hardcover

Published September 15, 2017

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Etienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting a book full of short though and think to meditate about while walking, but it's more of a philosophical/spiritual book that propose a way of thinking and living, so a was a bit off what I was looking for, still a average book for the style, but nothing that make it very distinguishable from the other.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful little guidebook for walkers. Each chapter is presented as a "thought" for the walker to consider or an activity on walking and mindfulness/zen. The book specifically focuses on mindfulness tips, ways to appreciate the present moment, exploring nature and our souls. It is a great companion for anyone walking for any type of wellbeing. I look forward to trying some of the tips on my daily puppy walks. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-book in return for an honest review.

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant, thoughtful little book. Worth taking time over, and returning to - and putting into practice.

[Sydney Spires · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very restful read. made me think very intentionally and mindfully. a little guy but with a lot to be said out of it. i’d recommend to anyone and everyone

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really lovely little book which I really appreciated as both someone who practices mindfulness daily, and also goes for a daily walk. Some other books are mentioned throughout the pages, and I’ll try to get a hold of a few too.

[Victoria Peipert · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I like the concept of this book a lot, it felt more like a space for the author to share his thoughts rather than directly inspire thought for others who practice walking and mindfulness - and to be fair practicing true mindfulness and being present would not mean being distracted by any thoughts but rather fully experience the space around them. While it feels a little author centric, Ford's thoughts are intriguing sometimes and enjoyable to read.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 3.5 star book for me, but I’ve erred on the side of generosity.

I bought it on Hay on Wye last September while on holiday. It’s a lovely idea for a book, thoughts about walking - which I do a lot of. Somehow it didn’t really click for me. Quite philosophical, quite theological. Not much for me to take out into my daily walks, not really any firm practices to try to make my walks more mindful. But a nice companion nonetheless

[Penelope · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated and produced book which is the perfect companion to any walk no matter how long or short. Filled with exercises and ideas to use walking as a path to mindfulness and ways to enrich and deepen our awareness of nature and our connection to it. Elegantly and accessibly written this small but powerful book is a gateway to a infinitely richer relationship with the world around us and the world within ourselves.

[Mado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es un libro que no te va a cambiar la vida ni a desvelar las verdades del universo. En cambio, si lo lees con la mente abierta te descubre ( o recuerda) realidades que hoy en día pasamos por alto.

Para mí se trata de un libro sobre el que escribir y subrayar, para poder revisitarlo de vez en cuando.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like to walk, and my friend got me a copy of this book for Earth Day. A little too new age and zen for me, but some interesting concepts had merit and made me think maybe I don’t have rush through a walk or be listening to a book during a walk. I really didn’t agree about silence when walking with a friend. Walks have become a great social outlet!

[Sophie Pike · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a great little guy full of zingers. i truly loved this book; it made me consider how i perceive my walks (of ALL kinds: long hikes, walks in a city, quick walks in the park). all the writing felt very thoughtful and intentional, so overall a huge win. gave it to my mom for xmas but i want a copy for my own library as well

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this - has taken me a long while to mark as finished as I’ve been dipping in and out if it. Very informative and some good activities to do whilst walking. Designed to help you notice the world you’re walking in.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really makes you think about the many reasons for walking and often the destination or the achievement of reaching the top overshadow the pure joy of being totally absorbed in nature and the health benefits of nature.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book was like practicing mindfulness in itself. It was a quiet, peaceful read and I was so sorry when I was suddenly on the last page. When I go for a walk later tonight, I will try to remember to listen and smell and feel and be present in the moment.

[Tara Brabazon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written book on walking as meditation. It is Buddhist-infused and contemplative.

I recommend this book if you are interested in enlivening and deepening the reflections on a daily walk.

I however was reading the book to explore the 'footnotes' in the title. #epicfail.

[Emma Chappell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet book that reminds us how beautiful nature is

[Mary Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful little book about how to incorporate mindfulness into walking and about the how walking is a great way to be mindful!

[cat c. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reminders to keep in your pocket, before you step out for your walk.

[Yenny Peguero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me pareció interesante, una guía con consejos prácticos para reflexionar mientras caminamos.

[Amanda Witt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise volume with short chapters, featuring different parts of nature - paths, water, forests etc.

[Sami Munslow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to visit occasionally and makes you look at walking in a different light. It might even make walking seem more interesting than it is!

[Cyndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant little book.

[Vivian Wong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t totally agree with some of the suggestions

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a gorgeous and handsome little book, the insights are magnificent, the writing easy

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

mentions a few further books about walking. love 2 walk

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little morning inspirational texts.

[Georgiana Ștefan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great and insightful read!

[Jerry Wall · Rating 1 out of 5]

Walking can be fun and good for you.

[Bess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightfully contemplative book. Its chapters are brief, perfect for reading a bit each day to allow the thoughts to percolate.

[Pete Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good deal of wisdom in this little book. This was the perfect book to start my 1000km walk.