The Art of Mindful Walking: Meditations on the Path

by Adam Ford

As an Anglican priest and former Priest-in-Ordinary to the Queen, a lecturer in Buddhism, and a devoted walker, Adam Ford is an inspiring guide with a refreshingly eclectic viewpoint. Contemplating the concept of a purposeful walking, he applies the notion of mindfulness to walks ranging from a simple journey to work to a personal odyssey in the Australian outback. Exploring the idea of the walk as both medium and metaphor, and considering ideas of pilgrimage alongside the notion of the walk in literature, he draws on his personal experience of both spirituality and walking. This book celebrates and enchances those both for the hardened hiker and those who like to contemplate past walks from the comfort of their armchair.

Genres: Nonfiction, Walking, Essays, Buddhism

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read. A bit all over the place: some christian reflections (and criticisms), buddhist teachings, various stories & observations. Regardless, I resonated with most all the author had to say.

Plus, it’s good to walk.

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It turns out walking pace is great for seeing and hearing things as long as you keep your eyes and ears open. Seems to help if you know a bit about Buddha and Christ.

Quite a bit of this slender book is very firmly set in "state of obvious" country but there is still plenty to enjoy.

For one thing the author zones in on what it really is like walking and does not exaggerate in any particular direction. Sometimes you enjoy it, sometimes more miserable thoughts pervade. In either instance clear direction is given as to how "mindfulness" can assist in getting to a better place.

Scattered throughout the book are references to other books which you might wish to read. I found this useful and treated the book somewhat as a primer.

I used to dismiss this stuff as mumbo-jumbo and happy clappy nonsense for the self-absorbed but after battling with depression for multiple decades I am willing to listen.

For one thing actively striving to be happier is no bad goal in itself, it makes you happier and it makes those that have to be around you happier. It is probably the most important skill to develop.

Lets put it simply whatever is going on in your life, there is no downside in trying to be happier.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am finding this book fantastic and give it 5 Stars.. like a good walk I am in no rush to finish it, taking time to enjoy each carefully chosen word, sentence and paragraph.

Whether this would be a 5 star or a no star book for you I can not say. But if like me you are seeking to live each day as the best it can be and love walking ..... this is inspirational.

[Elizabeth Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strange mix of memoir, guide book and meditation on the divine written by an Anglican priest who lectures on Buddhism and Hinduism. It doesn't pull off the mix quite as well as Corvus by Esther Woolfson but remains a pleasant read.

[Karen Leech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in a few days, very beautifully written. lovely observations and some great musings on the human condition.

[Sonia Mainstone-Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book, I love the way this book looks, with a georgeous cover and small illustrations inside. Lovely, thoughtful crafting of words and ideas .

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slight but delightful. Lots to think about and encourage. I love reading about walking. It's a whole lot less work than actually doing it.

[IE · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book written by a man who seems kind and lovely, like someone I would love to have as a wise and open minded, forward thinking, fatherly figure in my life. The book itself was not what I expected, I thought it was going to be a how-to about different ways to walk deliberately mindfully. However, I did think of my own ways to walk mindfully while reading the book. His advice is simple but effective, just walk, notice the details of nature. I appreciated that he wrote about several other religious views, not just from the view of Christianity.

[D'face · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this little book. Reflections and meditations on walking and our path through life. I greatly enjoy the solitary walk and I am a better, healthier person for meditation. For me this was a good combination.

[Lauren Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely read, very peaceful and thoughtful. Especially to take out on walks, and stop to read in certain places. He describes specific places he walked, and is an amazing read when you're near some of them! (I was in London at the time).

[Steph Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book as one to pick up and read at a cafe and as a reminder of all of the wonderful ways to walk mindfully and the benefits. It is simple, easy to read and yet many times profound.

[TheWorldOutsidetheWindow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and making connections between buddhist practice and Christian reflection. A wonderful book that I will keep with me as a companion.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting examination of a way of staying in the moment. I found that a lot of the exercises helped while walking to better observe what was happening around me.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Sophie Patriti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely mindful reading on walking.delightful!

[Steely Dean]

a nice light read, sprinklings of religious thought, distinctive author's voice

[Saphira Bloom-Quinn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book so much more. The premise is fantastic – city walking, walking close by home, walking in strange lands, walking as a pilgrim/spiritually... All the kinds of walking!

But the author fails to introduce himself substantially before launching into über-Personal details about his lunch and walking preferences.

Although I like reading vignettes or shorter chapters, most of the snippets are a page or less in length, and right when you get warmed up into one idea or story it abruptly ends.

It feels very much like every observation, poetic description, or philosophical thought the author has had over many years of working has made its way into this book largely unedited and unaltered.

It could have been so much more!

[Rohan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the meandering / "discursive" style of writing. I felt like I joined him on his walks through Australia and parts of Britain (although at times his descriptions of the route were a bit too much).
His description of city walking also made me excited to explore Newtown by foot when I can.

Why the 2 stars? I just wish he didn't claim to be a Christian, offering spiritual advice, when he says things like "Jesus was killed by the Romans for political reasons" or "All religions have shards of truth to them". I just think it made me sad to think that he has misunderstood the gospel and Christianity in trying to make it relevant to the world, but in doing so has removed the need for grace. I'm glad I am a "fundamentalist" according to him, isn't the fundamentals a good thing?

[Paul Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little jewel of a book (picked up on impulse in the Whitworth Gallery) it melds my interests in: walking, geology, nature and religion. Not often is it that I sit down with a book and read it from start to finish. It is not as good as that might suggest but if you find yourself with an afternoon on your hands a a contemplative sense then you might try this book.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two of my favourite things are walking and reading, so this book leapt off the library shelf. It is a slim volume with a grab bag of short vignettes, so whether you get much out of it depends on how closely you feel aligned with the author's philosophical approach and are interested in him in particular. I'm not even sure why he got to author and publish a book on this topic. Pleasant.

[Janet Tuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Not quite what I expected when I bought it but I found the stories about different kinds of walks quite interesting. They gave new perspectives that certainly enlarged my appreciation of mindful walking.

[Warrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit 'preachy' but some nice moments too; especially the recollections of significant walks and some links to other walking books of interest

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. It is nice to have a book that examines walking not by only looking at ones own bellybutton but through a larger life focus.

[Hjd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pleasant, but disappointing.