Welcome to Mutt Meditation,
An easy way to find time to meditate every day while taking care of your dog.
I don't know about you,
But even though I know how much a daily meditation practice improves my life,
I still struggle to find time to meditate.
But I always find time to walk my best buddy Max.
One day a question popped into my head.
Is it possible to adapt traditional walking meditation techniques into my daily dog walks?
Walking meditation is usually practiced without the goal of getting anywhere.
Walking in the present moment is the only aim.
In fact,
It's often taught within a quiet area,
Devoid of obstacles and distractions.
My daily dog walks,
On the other hand,
Take us around the busy streets of a mid-sized city,
Where I need to navigate curbs,
Cars,
And other dogs,
Deal with the weather,
Manage my time,
And most distracting and seemingly unmeditatively of all,
Pick up his poop.
Before Mutt Meditation,
I often felt like dog walks were just another chore on my daily to-do list.
Now I look forward to our walks as a part of my personal practice.
It fits into the same block of time we're already giving our dogs,
And can be practiced anywhere.
Whether you've been meditating for years,
Or have never meditated before,
These meditations may help you feel calmer and more present,
And bring a sense of joy to both you and your pup.
Before we start Mutt Meditating,
Let's talk about what meditation actually is.
Many people think the goal of meditation is to clear the mind of all thoughts,
But when you start meditating,
You may be surprised to notice how many thoughts are swirling around inside your head.
Meditation is a way to train your mind to slow down,
Gain focus,
And become more present.
The quantity of thoughts you have may or may not lessen with meditation,
But that's actually beside the point.
This practice can help us notice when we're lost in thought,
And then teach us to come back with mindfulness and self-compassion.
The techniques are pretty simple,
But with regular practice they can make a big impact on our lives.
May Mutt Meditation be of benefit to you,
Your dog,
And the world.
