Once upon a time, there was a young elk named Bruno in the vast northern forests. His parents were a couple of loving moose, who had found him one snowy winter, abandoned and alone. They decided to raise him as their own son but Bruno knew nothing about this event. Since he was little, he always showed a special passion for walking. While the other young elk played and jumped, he preferred to explore the forest trails, sniff the scents of the pines and listen to the rustling of the leaves under his hooves.
As he grew older, Bruno ventured farther and farther, discovering crystal-clear streams, meadows full of wildflowers, and secret corners of the forest that seemed straight out of a fairy tale.
His proud and protective parents immediately noticed his curiosity about the world around him. Bruno, sometimes I felt like there was something different about him. His legs were lighter, and sometimes, he saw himself soaring through the skies in his dreams.
Throughout his youth, Alcim faced many challenges. During the harsh winters, when snow covered the ground and finding food was difficult, Alcim never stopped. His long walks allowed him to find the best bushes to feed on and the safest areas to rest. Thanks to his perseverance and determination, he always managed to stay strong and healthy.
However, not everything was easy in forest life. One day, while walking near a clearing, Alcim heard a strange noise. They were poachers, men who hunted animals illegally. With his heart beating rapidly, Alcim remembered all the ways and paths he had learned on his adventures. He used his knowledge to sneak away silently and find a safe place. That night, as he watched the stars shining above him, Alcim realized that his long walks had saved his life. Likewise, while his gaze was fixed on the starry sky, he saw an owl on the branch of a tree that was looking at him with curiosity.
“Hello, young Bruno,” said the owl. “You have a mark on your forehead that I recognize very well.”
Bruno, surprised, looked up further and asked: “Who are you and how do you know my name?”
I am an owl, and my name is Oscar. And I am very wise that is why I know your name. Everyone calls me “Oscar, the wise owl of the forest.” And I also know more than you imagine. That mark on your forehead is a sign. You are Alcyone, son of reindeer whom I have known for a long time.”
Bruno frowned in disbelief. “That can’t be. I’m a moose. My parents are moose.”
Oscar let out a soft, gentle laugh. “Come with me, I’ll show you something” Bruno accompanied him, reaching a small pond nearby. “Look at yourself in the reflection,” Oscar told him.
Bruno looked out into the water and, to his astonishment, saw that he didn’t look like his parents. Its antlers were different, thinner and more elegant, and its body had a lightness that I had never noticed before. “But…what does this mean?” he asked confused.
Oscar nodded. “Your biological parents called you Alcim, a diminutive of Alcyone, which means Luminous. They have been looking for you since they lost you in a storm. They are reindeer, and like you, they can fly.”
“Fly?” Bruno couldn’t believe it. “That’s impossible.”
“Try it,” Oscar said with a smile. “Close your eyes and feel the lightness in your paws.”
Bruno did it. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and suddenly felt a powerful urge. He opened his eyes and found himself flying through the skies with Óscar. The tops of the trees passed quickly beneath him as the wind blew gently through his fur.
When he finally landed, Bruno felt a mix of excitement and confusion. “So, I’m a reindeer… and I can fly.”
“That’s right,” Oscar confirmed. “And now that you know, you can look for your real parents. They will be very happy to know that you are alive.”
A few months passed and Bruno became a strong and healthy adult Reindeer. He met a beautiful elk named Alena, and together they enjoyed walking through the forest, discovering new places and sharing adventures.
The winters kept coming, and each one seemed harsher than the last. But Bruno and Alena were always prepared to face those harsh winters. Thanks to daily walks, they knew the best shelters and the safest routes. Even in the strongest storms, he always found his way home.
One day, as the sun was setting and the sky was turning orange, Bruno commented to Alena in a clearing: “Walking has taken us to wonderful places,” he said with a smile. “It has made us strong and kept us united. We must never forget the importance of every step we take and have taken.”
And so, Bruno and Alena continued walking, exploring and enjoying the beauty of the forest and inspiring many other moose to follow in their footsteps.
Final message:
Dear boys and girls, just as Bruno the Pilgrim Reindeer discovered his true self and the magic he carried within and in that way found strength, wisdom and adventures by walking, you too can discover a wonderful world with every step you take.
Walking is not only a way to move, it is a way to explore, learn and grow. So put on your most comfortable shoes and go for a walk! The world is full of paths waiting to be discovered, and who knows, maybe they will also discover the magic within them.
This first part is just the beginning of Alcyone’s adventures. Don’t miss his next adventure where he will search for his biological parents.
The act of walking is an ancient practice that connects human beings with their environment and with themselves. Since time immemorial, cultures around the world have valued walking not only as a means of transportation, but as a form of meditation, introspection, and spiritual connection. In this post, we will explore the relationship between the practice of walking and the Tao, the ancient Chinese philosophy that seeks harmony and balance in life, including the concept of Yin and Yang.
The Tao (or Dao) is a central concept in Chinese philosophy that is commonly translated as “the Way” or “the Path.” It represents the fundamental principle underlying the universe, the natural flow of life and the force that guides all things towards their purpose and balance. Taoism, founded by Lao-Tsé in the 6th century BC, is the philosophical and spiritual tradition that focuses on living in harmony with the Tao.
Relationship between Walking and Tao:
1. Flow with the Tao:
Walking in nature allows people to experience the flow of Tao, moving to the rhythm of natural life and synchronizing with the environment. Each step becomes a manifestation of the harmony and balance that the Tao represents with the being itself.
2. Meditation in Movement:
Walking can be a form of active meditation. In Taoism, Wu Wei (non-action or effortless action) is valued, which involves acting in alignment with the natural flow of things. Walking without a fixed goal, simply enjoying the act of walking, is an expression of Wu Wei.
3. Connection with Nature:
Taoism emphasizes the importance of being in contact with nature to understand the Tao. Walking in natural environments, such as forests, mountains and trails, allows people to absorb the surrounding vital energy (Qi) and feel part of the universe.
4. Simplicity and Tranquility:
Walking, especially in its simplest form, without technology or distractions, encourages simplicity and tranquility, essential principles of Taoism. This practice helps clear the mind and find inner peace, aligning with the Taoist quest for a simple and natural life.
5. The Path as a Metaphor of Life:
In Taoism, life is seen as a path that one must travel with wisdom and acceptance. Walking becomes a powerful metaphor for this journey, reminding us that every step counts and that the journey is as important as the destination (Post WALKING, AN EXISTENTIAL METAPHOR. PART 1 OF 4).
Yin and Yang in the Act of Walking:
The concept of Yin and Yang is fundamental in Taoism and represents the opposite but complementary forces that exist in all things. Integrating this idea into walking practice can provide a more balanced and holistic perspective (Future Post THE YIN AND YANG AND THE WALK-RWD SYSTEM).
1. Dynamic Balance:
Walking reflects the dynamic balance of Yin and Yang. Each step involves a balance between movement (Yang) and stability (Yin). As we progress, our body continually adapts, finding harmony in movement.
2. Breathing and Rhythm:
Conscious breathing while walking can align with Yin and Yang. Inhalation represents the active and expansive energy of Yang, while exhalation reflects the passive and receptive energy of Yin. Maintaining a balanced breathing rhythm can help harmonize these internal forces.
3. Natural Landscapes:
By walking in different natural landscapes, we can observe the manifestations of Yin and Yang in nature. Mountains and hills represent Yang with its ascending energy, while valleys and rivers embody Yin with its descending energy. Recognizing these forces in our environment helps us connect more deeply with the Tao.
4. Time and Space:
Walking at different times of the day and in various weather conditions can reflect the balance of Yin and Yang. The morning, with its fresh and active energy, represents Yang, while the afternoon and evening, with its tranquility and calm, symbolize Yin. Adapting to these changes helps us live in harmony with the natural cycle of Tao.
Taoist Practices Related to Walking:
1. Walking Qigong:
Qigong is a Taoist practice that combines controlled breathing, meditation and movement. Walking Qigong is a specific form that integrates walking with breathing and visualization techniques to harmonize the body and mind.
2. Walking Meditation:
Inspired by Taoist and Buddhist teachings, walking meditation focuses on walking slowly and mindfully, paying attention to each step and the immediate surroundings.
3. Nature Walks (Shinrin-Yoku):
Although Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing) is a Japanese practice, its essence of finding calm and healing in nature aligns closely with Taoist principles. Spending time in nature walking consciously allows people to reconnect with the Tao (Post WALKING WITH THE TREES).
Specific recommendations:
Walking is not just a physical exercise, but a spiritual and philosophical practice that can deepen our understanding of the Tao and our connection to the natural world. By incorporating the wisdom of the Tao and the balance of Yin and Yang into our walks, we can find a path to inner harmony and balance in our lives.
An interactive phase:
• Personal Story: Share a personal experience or anecdote about how walking has influenced your life and your understanding of the Tao.
• Practical Tips: Offers tips on how to practice walking meditation or Walking Qigong.
• Additional Resources: Recommend books, articles or videos on Taoism, Yin and Yang, and the practice of walking.
By exploring these connections, we can engage with a rich and profound perspective on how the simple act of walking can be transformed into an experience of wisdom and self-knowledge, guided by the principles of the Tao and the balance of Yin and Yang.
It was a day when the wind seemed to whisper secrets in the ear of whoever knew how to listen to them. In a secluded corner of a leafy park, among paths that meandered like lost thoughts, Synesfrido appeared, an enigmatic being who radiated a strange calm, walking on a hidden path unseen among the trees, where the echoes of the wind intertwined with the murmurs of the leaves. His gait was not common; his steps seemed to merge as they combined with the heartbeats of nature, creating inexplicable sensations around him.
He was not the typical walker, as he did so at the rhythm of the emotions of his surroundings. He was a being that inhabited the intersection of the senses, a traveler between colors, sounds and aromas.
For Sinesfrido, every corner of the world was a melody of senses, a choreography in which everything was connected through an invisible symphony. He walked alone, although it did not seem like it, because the paths responded to his steps, and he, a traveler in the universe of synesthesias, perceived everything with an overwhelming intensity.
It was in the middle of this path that Synesfrido saw an individual sitting under a large oak tree, bewildered and somewhat dazed.
Synesfrido, always curious and connected to the energies of the senses, approached gently and spoke with a voice that mixed tones of dawn and dusk.
SYNESFRIDO
-Who are you? asked Synesfrido, stopping before him.
The individual looked at him, unable to respond immediately. I had felt his presence before I saw him.
“I’m GOVOT,” he finally answered, with a voice that seemed to vibrate with each of the senses. I perceive the world in ways that sometimes I don’t understand. Everything comes to me at once: the colors taste like fruit, the sounds caress me like the wind, and the smells… the smells paint landscapes in my mind. But I don’t know how to handle the reason part. I’m overwhelmed.
For GOVOT, the world was a sensory satisfaction; every detail flooded him with such magnitude that he could barely process it.
GOVOT, was an individual who embodied the essence of the five human senses – taste, smell, sight, hearing and touch – but in that place he found himself confused, as if the world around him were an ungovernable chaos (without direction, without government , without dominion, without direction, without regulation) or a reasonable order without control.
GOVOT
In the middle of this path, Synesfrido saw an individual sitting under a large oak tree, bewildered and somewhat dazed.
Synesfrido, always curious and connected to the energies of the senses, approached gently and spoke with a voice that mixed tones of dawn and dusk.
-Who are you? asked Synesfrido, stopping before him.
The individual looked at him, unable to respond immediately. He had felt his presence before he saw him.
“I’m GOVOT,” he finally answered, with a voice that seemed to vibrate with each of the senses. I perceive the world in ways that sometimes I don’t understand. Everything comes to me at once: the colors taste like fruit, the sounds caress me like the wind, and the smells… the smells paint landscapes in my mind. But I don’t know how to handle the reason part. I’m overwhelmed.
For GOVOT, the world was a sensory satisfaction; every detail flooded him with such magnitude that he could barely process it.
GOVOT, was an individual who embodied the essence of the five human senses – taste, smell, sight, hearing and touch – but in that place he found himself confused, as if the world around him were an ungovernable chaos (without direction, without government , without dominion, without direction, without regulation) or a reasonable order without control.
Synesfrido, understanding his new companion’s dilemma, smiled calmly. He knew exactly what he had to do.
—My name is Synesfrido. And get used to walking through this and other forests. What you need, GOVOT, is to walk.
-Walk? GOVOT asked, confused. How could walking help me order all this chaos dominated by reason?
—You know, GOVOT? —Synesfrido told him, knowingly. The senses you carry with you are waiting to be awakened. But for that, you need to walk. Only the movement of the body awakens the movement of perception. Why don’t you start walking? The senses respond to the step, and each way of walking brings them a different gift.
GOVOT, a little bewildered, looked up and asked without much conviction:
-Walk? And what will that change in me, Synesfrido?
“Because walking is not just moving your feet, my friend,” Synesfrido responded with a deep look. It is the most natural way in which human beings connect sensorially with the world. When you walk, you give a rhythm to your senses. You synchronize them, you distribute them. And if you walk in certain ways, you can experience your senses in ways you never imagined.
GOVOT frowned, intrigued but still doubtful.
Synesfrido smiled, his eyes shining with a gleam that held more than words could say.
“I propose a challenge to you,” said Synesfrido, extending his hand. Let’s walk together. But not in any way. I will show you how walking can awaken true sensory harmony in you.
—Walk slowly, as if time were lengthening before you. Close your eyes, GOVOT. If you dare to take a few steps in the darkness of your own senses, touch will awaken first. You will feel the texture of the ground under your feet, as if each step were a secret conversation between you and the earth. You may notice a breeze caressing your face, and without needing to see, the wind will tell you the direction of its travel.
GOVOT stood up, accepting Synesfrido’s hand.
Intrigued, GOVOT let Synesfrido guide him.
The two began to walk, and Synesfrido guided him towards a series of unique experiences.
First, they walked slowly, almost in slow motion. GOVOT’s steps were slow and cautious at first. Immediately, he noticed how the air played with his skin, and his body, which until then had been a mere structure, began to feel.
GOVOT began to notice how the touch of each blade of grass under his feet felt different, like a delicate caress. The wind caressed her skin as if it were wrapping her thoughts in velvet. “Touch,” GOVOT murmured, marveling.
Then, Synesfrido told him to walk with his eyes closed. At first, he hesitated, but soon, his hearing sharpened, perceiving the rustling of leaves, the distant song of a bird, the sound of the river in the background. It was as if the world spoke to him through sounds, a harmonious melody that he had not heard with such clarity and harmony.
Later, Synesfrido suggested that he walk backward. GOVOT, bewildered, agreed, and immediately felt the smells that had gone unnoticed begin to come to life. The earthy aroma of wet leaves, the sweet perfume of nearby flowers, and the freshness of the humidity-laden air enveloped him in a whirlwind of olfactory sensations.
Finally, Synesfrido proposed something even more daring.
“Take this notebook,” he said, handing him a small pad and a pencil. While you walk, write. Write what you feel, what you perceive, without stopping.
GOVOT obeyed, and as he moved forward, the pencil moved on its own, guided by something deeper. As he walked and wrote, flavors revealed themselves to him: he could “taste” the sweet bitterness of the air, the metallic taste of the sun on his skin, and the cool touch of morning dew.
When they finally stopped, GOVOT was exhausted, but filled with a new range of sensory (synaesthetic) experiences.
—Do you see it? said Synesfrido, smiling. Walking has allowed you to synchronize and harmonize your senses, it has given you a rhythm. Now you can live in harmony with what you perceive. Walk, GOVOT, because it is the only path to true synesthesia, to true connection.
GOVOT gratefully agreed. He didn’t feel too dazed anymore. Now he understood that walking would help him strengthen his path towards sensory balance.
The day had turned into a serene evening, with the sky painted in shades of purple and orange, and as the two friends walked away down the path, Synesfrido knew that he had planted the seed of something greater: the wisdom of walking, of reading the world through the senses, writing about it, and drawing it with each step taken.
This meeting between Sinesfrido and GOVOT reminds us that walking not only takes us to a physical destination, but also awakens and harmonizes the senses.
Dear reader, whatever your pace, whether slow or fast, with your eyes closed or drawing in a notebook, let your feet take you to experience the world in new and extraordinary ways!
Let your steps take you further than your thoughts and imagination can take you.
Walking is an activity that, although everyday, can become a deeply musical experience. Our feet, when they touch the ground, create a natural rhythm, a percussion that resonates with each step. This percussion is the soundtrack of our walk, an endless number of cadences that form a unique symphony.
Normally we hear the percussive sound (percussion) of our footsteps, however, sometimes that sound is inaudible. We hear them inside our body, not with the auditory sense but within our bodily interiority. It is an internal rhythm within our body. We make our steps with our own compass (The Compass of Footsteps). It must be considered that the beat is not an appropriate concept for the activity of walking, because it is reserved for music. Well, I would like to mention and emphasize that walking as a natural (instinctive) activity does include musicalization and is therefore performed by marking a beat. And it is a percussive musical beat (percussion). One could still add that as percussive (percussion) it does not entail notes; this is true. Then someone else might still ask: Is it music or is it not music? Of course it is music and it makes us walk with our own unique musical percussion, because it contains a percussive cadence that implies a rhythm (Rhythm and Cadence), but also organization and harmony. In percussive music (percussion) it involves rhythm and time periods. An arrangement that leads to intonation and harmony. It is the series of percussive sounds (percussion) that are performed in a standardized and regular way. The percussive cadence (percussion) in walking also implies the movement that is made with the body to match the intonation (tones) that is produced with the steps. It is the perfect and normal distribution and organization of the sounds generated by the steps and movements of the body as a whole. This cadence when walking can normally be combined with sounds, movements and pauses, in both cadence spheres, which participate in physical and auditory intonation, in full harmony. It is the normal harmonization that the body achieves when walking, when taking steps to a musical rhythm and compass.
This rhythm is not only perceived externally; it has a deep connection with our body, it has an intrinsic relationship with our organism, as a whole: physical and mental. Walking activates various body systems, from cardiovascular to muscular, promoting blood circulation and improving oxygenation of our tissues. Additionally, the percussion of our feet can resonate with some of our internal organs. For example, a constant, balanced rhythm can help regulate breathing and stabilize heart rate, promoting a general state of well-being.
The footsteps have their own beat, their own rhythm and cadence. This beat can vary depending on the speed and intensity of our walk. A slow, leisurely pace may have a more relaxed, almost meditative beat, while a fast, energetic step has a faster, more vibrant rhythm. Finding our own compass when walking is essential to maintaining good health and enjoying the act of walking.
The rhythm of our walk is defined by the frequency with which we take our steps. Maintaining a constant rhythm helps our body adapt and optimize its functioning. The cadence, on the other hand, is the regularity with which these steps occur. A balanced, natural cadence is crucial to avoiding injury and maximizing the benefits of walking.
Huizinga in his book HOMO LUDENS (p. 222), comments: The same rhythm that “contains” the body, always, from the most remote times, which has manifested itself in the manufacture of food (archaic era), in an instinctive way. , we also observe that it is done by the body, unconsciously (imperceptibly), when walking.
“Sounds are eternal units that reside in the mind, in the interiority of the being, entities that participate in creation when they are emitted by the voice or received by the ear. It seems that someone whispered to us advising that the highest art, the best art, is that which is performed with the greatest number of human senses. And therefore, we could venture to say that the rhythm in corporeal movements has a profound and subtle effect on the preparation of the dishes. That rhythmic faculty, sensation and capacity are determining factors in the being for this. I do not wish to expand further on this, but I do wish to comment that the activities that take place in the kitchen, aimed at preparing food, have always been carried out in the company (association, adhesion) of work songs and tunes (tunes) since ancient times. oldest and in very primitive activities such as mashing, grinding, cutting, kneading, crushing, combining, chopping, beheading, cutting off, mutilating, topping, slicing, carving, mixing, baking, roasting, and all of them surely had a compass, a song, a rhythm, a melody, that accompanied and led them.”(1)
It is truly challenging and motivating to think that we can walk to the rhythm of our own beats.
Generally, when we walk freely we do so at a beat that our body defines unconsciously. When we are not conditioned and forced to a rhythm imposed by the group of people walking next to us, or by the deafening traffic driving a disconcerting dynamic, we can manage to walk – we say – at our own rhythm.
The easiest way to become aware of one’s own beat is to think that our feet can achieve a percussive system (percussion) that is animated by beats that encourage us to do so.
That form will be in compasses of the binary type, where it ends in a pair, and repeating the beat to infinity; however, it will also be possible to make compasses where one of the feet does not settle as well as its pair, and repeating also this beat to infinity.
“A particular habit is a sustained rhythm, where all acts are repeated, fairly exactly equaling their novelty value, but without ever losing that dominant character of being novel” (pp. 61-62). THE INTUITION OF THE INSTANT, F.C.E., Mexico, 1987 (1932 in French), Gaston Bachelard.
Walking with rhythm is pacing our body as if we were instituting (establishing) a musical compass, of any kind, in our walk.
This allows us to put our entire body in motion, as well as each part that makes it up, with a cadence (beat) while we walk.
We have learned that cadence that we use (and use) when walking over millions of years.
“The human being is an integral sum of rhythms” ; “Chronotropisms will be those that integrate habits into that integral sum of rhythms that form the being”, THE INTUITION OF THE INSTANT, F.C.E., Mexico, 1987 (1932 in French), Gaston Bachelard, p. 64, 65.
YIN YANG
We could equate (compare) this harmony that we achieve with walking (with walking) through the analogy with the Chinese Yin and Yang (Post WALKING AND SEXUALITY), which They are two principles that go hand in hand in life, and keep the individual, male or female, in balance – harmonious and dynamic – with their complementary counterpart (Future Post THE PATH OF TAO: ANCESTRAL WISDOM OF WALKING).
“Walking on the shady side of the mountain (YIN) or walking on the sunny side of the mountain (YANG)”, History of Philosophies, 21st century, volume I, p. 233, 237, 255.
YANG: Sure, positive, masculine, active. Cosmological force or active and masculine principle in Taoism. See Yin. Jung, Psychological Types, Volume I, . 290.
Walking with a beat (rhythm, cadence) – any one – is a simile of dynamic balance movement, comparable to maintaining the rhythm (beat, cadence) of life (vital rhythm). That compass that we implement when walking, we always perform – consciously or unconsciously – in order to give our physical organism and its component parts a dynamic strength, and likewise, our mind a stable and harmonious balance.
LEGS AND ARMS IN THE YIN AND YANG
On the other hand, we must point out that walking with our own rhythm implies a synchronization of various parts of the body and fundamentally of the upper and lower extremities. For example, the natural coordination of the movement of the opposite leg and arm, i.e., when the right leg is forward it is done naturally with the left arm, and when the left leg is placed in the forward part of the body it is accompanied by the right arm.
We can compare both legs to these two natural principles: the left leg corresponds to Yin, that is, to the woman, and the right leg relates (refers) to Yang, to the man.
Both parts exercise (work) together when walking, with a certain compass (rhythm, cadence).
As we can see in the previous figures, the right leg and the left arm are balanced forward, while their opposite ones are backward, and vice versa.
Generally speaking, it is unhealthy for the social environment to impose its rhythm on us in all its indications and manifestations: in eating, at work, in transportation, in walking itself, etc.; we must impose our rhythm, and the first thing we have to start with is walking with our own rhythmic cadence, with our own natural walk.
ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS TO WALK IN OUR OWN COMPASS
To walk according to our own beat and ensure that it is healthy, it is important to adopt certain attitudes and actions:
1. Listen to Our Body: Pay attention to how we feel when walking. If we feel tired or in pain, it is important to adjust our pace.
2. Adopt Good Posture: Maintaining an upright and relaxed posture helps you walk more efficiently and avoids unnecessary tension.
3. Breathe Deeply: Deep, regular breathing synchronized with our steps can improve our oxygenation and reduce stress.
4. Wear Appropriate Footwear: Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning helps protect our feet and maintain a healthy pace.
5. Practice Mindfulness: Being present in the moment, enjoying the environment and the act of walking, can transform our walk into a more pleasant and meaningful experience (Post WALKING WITH THE TREES).
6. Vary the Terrain and Pace: Changing the terrain (such as walking in parks, beaches or trails) and varying the pace from time to time can make the walk more interesting and beneficial (Post WALKING BAREFOOT. PART I . Types of soil).
In conclusion, the percussion of our feet when walking is an intrinsic melody to our existence, an intimate connection between our body and the environment. Finding and walking at our own compass not only improves our physical health, but also allows us to fully enjoy every step we take.
Let’s go out for a walk with our own compass and listen to how it beats.
(1)Loya Lopategui, Carlos, Cocinopea, EMULISA, México, 2011, p. 9
“Furthermore, the path of virtue is not, as some have believed, rough and difficult, but rather one proceeds along it with sure footing. I do not come to tell you vain things: the path to a happy life is easy.” Seneca, “Of Anger“
In the ethical-moral sphere he sought wisdom which should be found by following the steps of Nature, guided by its natural laws. To achieve fullness in life and happiness, one must imitate Nature, with a healthy body and spirit, and this is achieved by living with reason, a human function that should have influence and dominance in the rest of human activities, subjecting itself to (submitting) to the virtues, avoiding distress and maintaining a healthy body.
We said in Post WALKING AND PERIPATHETICS: “On the other hand, in ancient Rome we have Seneca, in the first century of our era, who commented that because of the love he had for letters he had become lazy and This made him neglect his health and his physique, which told him that he should also take care of his body through exercise. He decided for the same reason to start walking while he read, so as not to neglect his devotion, since in this way, in addition to eliminating his laziness, it was good for his health.”
He considered reading to be the most important of his needs to satisfy, since it fed his spirit, but he should not only limit himself to reading, but should complement it with writing; he recommended that they be combined alternately: what is collected from the reading is used in the composition. He recommended that man must ingest all kinds of knowledge and concepts to process them and make them tend to new ideas.
Seneca practiced walks, reading, meditating, lecturing or explaining some ideas. During those philosophical walks, Seneca used to harangue that nothing can be controlled, nothing of external things; we can only have control of ourselves, of our body. That is why he recommended walking every day to hear the physical body say what he did not want to hear from others. Paraphrasing the Senequista exhortations, we could recommend – what we should ask ourselves at the end of each day – the following 3 questions: 1) Have I walked today? 2) How much more could I have walked?, and 3) What thoughts did I have and what other activities I did while walking.
I have extracted these notes from one of Seneca’s letters to Lucilo, titled “On Reading and Writing”; However, I would like to be a little more emphatic and profound in the interpretation of this letter, considering the philosophical thought, in general, of Seneca, with the sole purpose of convincing my readers of the importance of the WALK-RWD system that Seneca himself transmits it. Below I explain the relationship between his thinking and the WALK-RWD system.
Seneca points out 3 fundamental activities that are deeply connected to the WALK-RWD system covered for 6 years through the blog “WALKREADANDWRITE.COM.” Seneca, a Stoic philosopher who sought balance in all facets of life, offers a reflection on three of his essential activities: walking, reading and writing. Each of them not only has intrinsic value, but also serves to correct, complement and nourish the other two. In the context of the Blog, the dynamic interaction between walking, reading and writing, as well as drawing, is promoted, and this letter has a particular resonance.
Walking: An antidote to laziness and food for the body
Seneca begins by pointing out how walking has helped him combat laziness and improve his physical health. This notion is a philosophical confirmation of what has already been highlighted in the Blog: walking is not only a physical act, but a tool that allows you to clear the mind, release tension and revitalize the body. At a time when sedentary living dominated academics and philosophers, Seneca emphasized the need for movement as part of a healthy balance between body and mind. Walking as a way of life has been promoted in the WALK-RWD system, and this philosophical emphasis adds a layer of depth to the simple act of walking. It is not just a means of transportation or physical exercise; It is a way to activate the body to activate the mind.
Read: A window to dialogue and intellectual rest
When Seneca talks about reading, he highlights two important functions: on the one hand, it protects us from intellectual arrogance, reminding us that we are not the only ones or the first to think of certain ideas. This, according to him, introduces us to a continuous dialogue with other thinkers, allowing our mind to evolve through what has already been thought and discovered. In the Blog, where I have highlighted the value of reading in a thousand ways, Seneca’s reflection takes on special relevance. Reading is an act of intellectual humility, an opportunity to listen to other voices, incorporate their ideas and adapt them to your own.
Furthermore, Seneca adds that reading offers a necessary break from “true study.” Here he introduces an interesting distinction: reading is not the same as studying, just as walking is not simply physical exercise. Reading is an activity that nourishes us, it allows us to enjoy other people’s thoughts, but without the weight of active creation that writing or composing entails. For those who make reading a fundamental pillar, this distinction emphasizes that reading is not only preparation for writing, but also a space for mental recreation, intellectual relaxation, which prevents creative exhaustion.
Writing: An exercise that condenses and channels knowledge
Finally, Seneca suggests that writing should not be an isolated exercise, but rather the result of the synthesis of what reading has left us. What we have absorbed, we use in writing. Writing for Seneca is an act of creation, but it is also a process of distillation of previously collected ideas. This reinforces the notion that reading and writing are not opposites, but complementary activities. Reading dissolves, writing condenses. Reading expands, writing organizes. In the WALK-RWD system, where both activities are fundamental, it is suggested – like Seneca – that one cannot exist without the other, if a balanced creative process is sought. Reading nourishes and diversifies ideas, but writing concretizes them and gives them shape.
The relationship between the three activities: Walking, Reading and Writing
What is most interesting in this letter is how Seneca weaves together the three activities—walking, reading, and writing—as parts of an indivisible whole that benefits both the body and the mind. Walking, in its function of clearing the mind and activating the body, seems to generate a space conducive to reflection and, therefore, to the act of reading and writing. In the blog and in the WALK-RWD system, where these three activities are already part of the same scheme, this reflection by Seneca emphasizes that true intellectual and physical balance is achieved when none of these three activities is isolated. Walking facilitates the reflection that is nourished by reading, and this, in turn, is condensed and finds its culmination in writing.
Seneca warns of the dangers of limiting oneself to a single activity: writing alone exhausts one’s strength; just reading dissolves the mind. Therefore, both must be alternated, and this is where walking comes in as a third corrective element. In the WALK-RWD system, where the fusion of these three practices, plus drawing, is promoted, it seems that the central idea of Seneca’s thesis is prefigured: walking activates the body and mind; reading introduces new ideas and points of view; and writing crystallizes those thoughts into something more concrete and personal.
Final reflection
Seneca’s letter offers philosophical guidance that fits perfectly with the mission of the WALK-RWD system. By reflecting on the interconnection between walking, reading and writing, we find a stoic balance between body and mind, an integration of human activities that prevents overload in any area and encourages a healthier creative and reflective process(2). For those who can follow the guidelines that I recommend in my Blog WALKREADANDWRITE.COM and the fundamental principles of the ALK-RWD system, this letter from Seneca serves as a reminder that true intellectual and physical development is not achieved by exclusive dedication to a single activity, but with the harmonious alternation between body, mind and spirit.
Let’s imitate Seneca, starting to read and write, while we walk, and if possible, drawing some images that come to mind, while we enjoy a walk in the open air.
(1)Loya Lopategui, Carlos, WALK-RWD System, EMULISA, Mexico, 2022. Available on Amazon, Kindle Edition: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4B9TP26
(2) Loya Lopategui, Carlos, Caminar: del acto físico al acto filosófico, EMULISA, México, 2024. Available on Amazon, Kindle Edition: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0DDDLHKHC
