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We must walk in some of the footprints left by our ancient ancestors.

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We will have to live our present time, to walk through modernity with amplitude on those ancient footprints, that is to say, imitating and repeating -as far as possible- our ancient ancestors, in terms of:

1.            Movement and physical dynamism: Walking.

2.            The perception of light and darkness: circadian rhythms.

3.            Solitude and sociability: Authenticity.

4.            Silence and noise: Tranquility and self-esteem.

5.            The Absorbing Society: The Here and the Now.

6.            Nature forgotten: Walking barefoot.

7.            Stress: Lack of time.

8.            Vital instincts: Playing without competing.

9.            Sedentary lifestyle: Cellular self-generation.

10.          Social conditioning: Personal self-realization

All of these are intimately related to our central theme of “walking”; however, there are others that we will also have to consider in order to continue to move forward in balance and well-being, such as food, education, technology, etc., which will have to be studied and observed separately, but with the same depth and seriousness.

We are the same human beings for 50,000 years; our genes are the same, so we must act accordingly. We said in Post HOMO-ITER: MAN WALKER. PART II: “We pointed out, in a general way, how the human being has been abandoning the practice of walking throughout the last 10,000 years, having been, since the most remote times, a perfect walker in his erectus and nomadic characteristic”.

By complying with the 5 fundamental principles of the WALK-RWD System we will achieve attunement with our genetic structure of homo sapiens; thus we will be stepping on the footprints left by our ancient ancestors.

We are almost genetically the same beings, but we do not act in the same way. We are sedentary, as we hardly walk any more; during the day we shelter from the sunlight; at night we place ourselves under artificial lights; we have various social conditioning that lead us down unhealthy paths; and a long etcetera that have distanced us from the ancestral practices that led us along healthy paths.

We also said in that Post: “…the man of the future will perhaps be the HOMO-ITER (walking man), the one who will be more aware that he must now replace some means of transport, to go back to walking, and other activities that he carries out standing he must start to practice walking, and others that he carries out sitting, he must develop them standing and/or walking”.

In Post BODY PARTS FOR WALKING – THEIR CARE, we said that to take care of our body it is necessary to listen to it and we also mentioned this present Post that just by walking, following our own footprints, we could improve its physical state and heal it (WALK-RWD System, p. 502*).

We can consider that this present Post is a complement of Post RHYTHM, COMPASS AND CADENCE IN OUR JOURNEY-WALKING, regarding the health stage, through the application of the WALK-RWD System. We will be able to better appreciate how the System works to reach that healthy stage and also as a preventive mechanism of diseases, through the application of its 5th Principle that is formulated from its implementation, as well as the practice of the rest of the Principles of the System.

In the mentioned Post we present a scheme where you can appreciate two essential stages that are reached with the System: HEALTH and IDEAS, and precisely the trinomial that gives it its name, are the substructures on which our body relies to radiate health and creativity: Rhythm, compass and cadence. These 3 dynamic sources feed the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional body.

This cadence or time span that we employ (use, apply, make use of, serve) when we walk has been learnt over millions of years.

The 1st and 4th Principles guide us to keep a position when we walk. Our limbs must be exercised with respect to our natural vertical axis and in an upright position.

The efficacy of Principles 2 and 3 of the System, procures a better brain functioning, as it generates a better thinking by entering into a structural instability and maintaining its dynamic equilibrium. In Posts THE WALK-RWD SYSTEM ENCOURAGE CREATIVE THINKING. PART I; THE WALK-RWD SYSTEM AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE, we have exposed that the WALK-RWD system favors the creation of ideas (and other cerebral and mental benefits) by means of the application of these 2 principles, the 2nd and 3rd.

The 5th Principle is the one that defines and applies in a more direct way the HEALING of our body, generating also, by itself, the prevention of illnesses.

Thus, the WALK-RWD System provides HEALTH, when walking by applying this 5th principle, which guides the people who apply it, to enter in accordance with their own rhythm and cadence, while walking.

5th Principle or Principle of Rhythm, Compass and Cadence.

“Every individual has a Rhythm, Compass (Beat) and Cadence of his own, he only has to discover, apply and maintain them while walking”.

Let’s take a closer look at how the WALK-RWD System works in terms of health irradiation and disease prevention.

The oxymoron expressed in the title of this Post leads us down the path of two apparently contradictory words.

The word sound should be conceived as the resonance that echoes in our body, both physically and mentally, the benefits of walking. And not only walking but all the other elements of healing and satisfaction that are structured in the WALK-RWD System. Walking generates a vibration in our whole body and mind.

Silent refers to the way the system operates. We do not seem to hear its gifts. Regarding the physical part, it proceeds (operates, intervenes) with marginal effects on our body, and therefore we must always wait for a peremptory time to appreciate its achievements, and for them to accumulate, although in the emotional and sensitive aspect the responses are immediate. When we take a walk, we immediately begin to feel healthy, physically and emotionally; we feel better about ourselves. It is difficult to find anything similar that has such effective and immediate results in terms of feeling good.

The WALK-RWD System, through walking, generates healthy and healing “energetic vibrations” that spread throughout the body, flowing to all organs, systems and glands, which in turn impact the brain of the person who practices it (Post RHYTHM, COMPASS AND CADENCE IN OUR JOURNEY-WALKING; Future Posts ENJOYING OUR PERCUSSIVE MUSICAL WALKING; THE PERSONALITY DEFINED BY THE RHYTHM WHEN WALKING). The same can be said of the transmission of energy we receive from the ground, when walking barefoot (Post WALKING BAREFOOT. PART I; and Future Post WALKING WITH SHOES AND WITHOUT SHOES. PART II).

Although there is no solid scientific evidence to support this claim that, when walking, the human body generates energetic vibrations, it certainly produces and responds to various forms of energy, such as electrical flow in the nervous system and biochemical signals that regulate various functions. However, talk of internally generated waves of some kind that may have curative or preventive effects on health is not supported by the scientific community.

The movement generated by walking produces in the physical body a transmission of energy that is transferred to all its organs, systems and glands.

Walking is a physical activity that involves the mechanical movement of muscles and the body in general. During this activity, the body uses energy in the form of burning nutrients, especially carbohydrates and fats, to provide the necessary energy to the muscles and systems involved in the movement. This energy is produced primarily through aerobic metabolism, which involves the use of oxygen to break down nutrients and generate energy in the form of ATP (Adenosine TriPhosphate: an organic molecule that acts as the main source of chemical energy in the cells of living organisms).

In the scientific community, when referring to the activity of walking and its effect on the body, it is more common to mention the metabolic and physiological processes that are generated during this exercise, such as increased blood flow, oxygen transport, liberation of neurotransmitters, among others.

Notwithstanding this scientific position, it is incontrovertible that there is this “vibrational energy” or “energetic waves” that are generated towards the organs, systems and glands of the whole body, when we walk.

Surely in the near future it will be observed scientifically that every human body has its own RHYTHM, COMPASS AND CADENCE when walking, which makes it characteristic of each individual. A personal and distinctive way of walking.

Let us seek, analyze and find our own walking and in doing so we will discover our own resonance that will echo in our body, both physically and mentally. We will not hear anything, but our being will immediately begin to feel better in our soul. Let us continue to walk in the FOOTSTEPS OF OUR ANCESTORS, leaving our own footprints every day, with our own characteristic and personal Rhythm, Compass and Cadence. Let us become the HOMO-ITER of the future (Posts HOMO-ITER: MAN-WALKER. PART I; ..HOMO-ITER: MAN-WALKER. PART II).

(*)Loya Lopategui, Carlos, WALK-RWD SYSTEM, EMULISA, México, 2022. Distributed by Amazon, available in Kindle Edition: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4B9TP26.

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Walking and sleeping, as the title of the post says, are essential for the proper functioning of the body, both physical and mental.

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Sleeping, in the human being, is a vital function, necessary for the correct work of the organism. During sleep, the body regenerates and recovers, and various fundamental physiological and cognitive processes are carried out. Sleep is a state of rest in which there are changes in brain activity, breathing, heart rate and other bodily functions. We can also consider it an activity because it involves a series of processes and events that occur in the body while we are resting. During sleep, we go through different stages, such as light sleep, deep sleep and REM sleep (REM: Rapid Eye Movement; Post WALKING AND SONAMBULISM), which are repeated in cycles throughout the night. In addition to being a function and an activity, sleep plays multiple roles in our overall well-being. It contributes to memory consolidation and learning, promotes cardiovascular health, strengthens the immune system, regulates mood and promotes hormonal balance. Therefore, adequate sleep is essential to maintain good health and optimal performance in various phases of our lives (Post WALKING AND SEXUALITY; Future Post PSYCOSEXUAL ENERGY AND WALKING).

You can stop eating for 7 days and not die. But you cannot stop sleeping for 7 days because many psychic and physical functions are disrupted. Although walking is an expenditure of energy and sleeping is a saving of energy, both functions complement each other and allow healing, boosting and repairing parts of the body, because of the different tasks each one performs.

Sleeping is not only a “physiological” need for rest to replenish energy (rest, passivity, relaxation, calm, immobility) or energy saving, but it is also a compensatory (restorative) and corrective work, i.e. it has a function of propelling the being (body, mind and spirit) to set it satisfactorily towards the tasks of the next day’s activities, because it also allows the mind to rest and reconstitute itself through various acts during sleep: catharsis, tranquillity, rhythmic breathing, relaxation in neuronal activity, unconcern, no commitments, no obligations, and always in order to be able to move towards daily tasks.

Artwork 99.-EX IN VERITATIS

For its part, walking, as we have pointed out, is not only an activity to be able to move, but it contains a multitude of functions that, although it is an expenditure of energy, it also generates in the being (body, mind and spirit) a compensatory and corrective work, but it also propels the cellular self-generation of the organism (Post THE WALK-RWD SYSTEM AND THE CELLULAR SELF-GENERATION OF THE ORGANISM ), keeps it in good health, gives it strength in various orders (physical and spiritual) and places it in a position that has allowed it to reach levels of development that no other animal species has achieved.

Both activities, sleeping and walking, are the 2 sources of free Youth that we human beings have.

VIGOROUS-VIRTUOUS-HEALTHY CIRCLE: WALKING-SLEEPING

I would now like to devote a few paragraphs to the activity of walking, in order to elucidate what this movement (activity) really is and how it favours sleep and therefore the health of the human being.

This Post could have been entitled “SLEEP WELL TO WALK WELL IN THE MORNING”, or also “WALK TO SLEEP BETTER”.

This is a vigorous-virtuous-healthy circle as walking encourages sleeping, and sleeping encourages walking; all of which feed back daily to stay healthy.

I have found, that by walking every day you sleep better, and by sleeping well you wake up better, with the desire to walk, so the virtuous circle of WALK-SLEEP closes every day.

I believe, that walking should be done daily to improve the quality of sleep. This regular physical exercise can help regulate circadian rhythm, reduce stress, promote relaxation, and thus improve sleep excellence and quality of life.

The amount of time or distance to walk daily may vary according to organ capacities, level of fitness, place of residence, tasks performed during the day, and specific goals pursued. However, it is recommended that adults should do at least 210 minutes of normal walking each week, which can be distributed in sessions of 30 minutes a day, 7 days a week. (1) Manual for walking by reading, writing, and drawing.

It is important to remember that each person is special and unique, so everyone can adjust the time and distance according to their own needs, conditions and preferences. At first, shorter walks are recommended and gradually increase the time or distance as the individual feels more comfortable.

In addition, it is advisable to walk outdoors when possible, as exposure to natural light can also help regulate the circadian rhythm and promote more restful and healthy sleep.

GENERAL SLEEP FACTS

On average, it is recommended that an adult should get 7-9 hours of sleep per night to maintain good health. However, it is important to keep in mind that sleep needs may vary from person to person. Some people may feel rested with fewer hours of sleep, while others may require more hours to feel fully rested. In addition, life stages can also influence the amount of sleep needed. For example, newborns and children require more sleep than adults, while older adults may need less sleep. It is essential to listen to your own body and make sure you get enough rest to keep you healthy and functioning properly during the day.

RECOMMENDED HOURS OF SLEEP BY AGE GROUP

1-2 years: They should sleep 11-14 hours per day, including naps.

3-5 years: Recommended 10-13 hours of sleep per night, including naps.

6-10 years: They need 9-11 hours of sleep per night.

11-15 years: They should sleep 8-10 hours per night.

16-20 years: 7-9 hours of sleep per night is recommended.

21-25 years: They need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night.

26-30 years: 7-9 hours of sleep per night is recommended.

31-40 years: They should sleep between 7 and 9 hours per night.

41-50 years: 7-8 hours of sleep per night is recommended.

51-60 years: They need between 7 and 8 hours of sleep per night.

61-70 years: 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night is recommended.

71 and older: 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night is recommended.

These are general guidelines and individual sleep needs may vary. Some people may require more or less sleep to feel rested and healthy.

Artwork 837.-NETI, NETI (NOT THAT ONE, NOT THIS ONE). (BOTTOCKETS OF PASSIONS)

Now let’s look at the physical and mental disorders and illnesses that can result from not getting enough sleep.

Lack of adequate sleep can have a number of negative effects on health, both physical and mental. Here are some disorders and illnesses that can be associated with a lack of normal sleep:

Disorders caused by lack of sleep:

1. Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up too early.

2. Sleep apnoea: Interruptions in breathing during sleep, which can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness.

3. Narcolepsy: Excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden episodes of sleepiness during normal activities.

4. Shift work sleep disorder: Difficulty adjusting to atypical sleep-wake schedules due to night or rotating shift work.

Physical health problems caused by lack of sleep:

1. Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

2. Increased risk of obesity due to hormonal imbalances that affect appetite and metabolism.

3. Increased risk of type 2 diabetes due to impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance.

4. Weakened immune system, increasing susceptibility to infection and disease.

Mental health problems due to lack of sleep:

1. Increased risk of developing mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety.

2. Cognitive impairment and difficulties with concentration, memory and decision-making.

3. Irritability, mood swings and decreased emotional well-being.

4. Increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety disorders, depression, etc.

It is important to note that these are just a few examples and that chronic lack of sleep can have a significant negative impact on overall health. If you experience certain sleep difficulties or suspect you have a sleep disorder, it is advisable to seek medical help for proper diagnosis and treatment.

However, there are various situations, elements or factors that can contribute to the development of insomnia, making it difficult to get to sleep and the quality of sleep. Some of them are mentioned below:

1.            Stress: Chronic stress, whether related to work, personal relationships, financial problems or other factors, can interfere with the ability to fall asleep.

2.            Mental health problems: Conditions such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological disorders may be associated with insomnia.

3.            Sleep disorders: Conditions such as sleep apnoea, restless legs syndrome and narcolepsy can make sleep difficult and lead to insomnia.

4.            Poor sleep habits: Adopting irregular sleep routines, such as going to bed and getting up at different times every day, can deregulate the circadian rhythm and make it difficult to fall asleep.

5.            Unhealthy lifestyle: Factors such as excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of regular physical activity and poor diet can negatively affect sleep.

6.            Stimulation before bedtime: Use of electronic devices (such as phones, tablets or computers) before bedtime, as well as exposure to bright lights or intense emotional stimuli, can hinder the relaxation needed for sleep.

7.            Environmental conditions: An unsuitable sleeping environment, such as a noisy room, temperature extremes, intense lighting, or an uncomfortable mattress and pillows, can interfere with sleep quality.

It is important to note that insomnia can be caused by a combination of these factors and that each person may experience them differently. If you are facing insomnia problems, it is advisable to seek medical help or consult a sleep disorder specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

SLEEP REGULATION

Sleep in humans is regulated primarily by the circadian rhythm system, which is controlled by a part of the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus. The circadian rhythm is a kind of internal clock that regulates sleep and wake patterns over an approximately 24-hour cycle (Post THE WALK AND CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS-PART I).

The suprachiasmatic nucleus of the brain receives light information through the eyes and uses this information to synchronize the circadian rhythm with the natural cycles of light and dark. When there is light, the SCN signals the body that it is time to be awake and active. Conversely, when the light dims and night approaches, the SCN signals the body to prepare for sleep and relaxation.

In addition, there are several hormones that play an important role in the regulation of sleep (Post THE WALK-RWD SYSTEM AND THE SELF-PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC SUBSTANCES):

Melatonin: The pineal gland produces melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin production increases in response to darkness, which promotes drowsiness and sleep.

Adenosine: Adenosine is a chemical that accumulates in the brain while we are awake and plays a role in promoting sleep. As the amount of adenosine in the brain increases, the feeling of sleepiness increases.

Stress hormones: Cortisol and stress hormones, such as adrenaline, can also influence sleep. High levels of these hormones can make it difficult to fall asleep and keep us awake.

The right balance between these hormones and circadian rhythm regulation helps to maintain a healthy and adequate sleep pattern. However, several factors can interfere with this regulation, such as sleep disorders, stress, changes in sleep schedules and exposure to artificial light during the night.

It is important to maintain regular sleep habits and maintain a suitable environment to promote quality sleep and ensure optimal functioning of the circadian rhythm and sleep-related hormones.

MEDICINES FOR SLEEP

There are medicines and substances that can be used to treat certain sleep disorders and help improve the quality and duration of sleep in some people. However, it is important to note that the use of these medicines must be supervised by a doctor of medicine and that each case is unique, so the benefits and risks must be assessed on an individual basis.

I have found that the application of the Virtuous Circle of Walking-Sleep avoids the need to resort to the use of sleep medications.

Taking drugs or substances to improve sleep without proper supervision can be harmful. Unwanted side effects such as excessive daytime sleepiness, confusion, memory disturbances, dependence and addiction can occur. In addition, some medications may interact with other medications you are taking, which can cause adverse effects.

Feeding, sleeping and walking should be done daily. Stopping the first 2 activities becomes intolerant, but not walking goes unnoticed; however, all 3 are essential for optimal health of the body, physically and mentally.

This picture shows the perception we make when we stop sleeping and eating, which is quite intolerant for every human being; while when we stop walking, we are not aware of it; however, silently our body -physical and mental- resents it.

Let us walk, as we sleep and eat; let us do it every day (Future Post WALKING WITH EROS AND TANATOS. PART II).

The appropriate solution for all is to enter daily into the Virtuous Circle of WALKING and SLEEPING.

(1) Loya Lopategui, Carlos, Manual for Walking, Reading, Writing and Drawing, EMULISA, Mexico, 2016. Distributed by Amazon, available in Kindle Edition: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09K6N5FTL.

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In Post WALKING TOWARDS THE CONCEPT OF FREEDOM OF 20 THINKERS. PART I We proceeded to infer, from the ideas and conceptualizations that 20 thinkers had about freedom, what the practice of walking represented for each of them. Now, we will try to venture into the area of pictorial creation. We will try in an imaginary way to walk inside one of the houses that Van Gogh painted, creating its interiors. We will use Artificial Intelligence to discover several of these rooms, such as the living room, dining room, family room, bedroom, courtyards and gardens, etc.

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We chose Van Gogh because he was an outstanding creator and one of those who made a considerable number of houses. Of all of them (Van Goghian houses), we have selected one to recreate these hidden spaces.

To imagine walking inside one of the houses painted by Van Gogh, any of them, means a great effort that we have to make to conceive what the arrangement of the house would be like.

Anyone can carry out this mental exercise to idealize one of the houses he painted, however, it is very attractive to observe 4 or 5 printed rooms that Van Gogh himself could have imagined. It is a very interesting exercise as it allows us to “play” with a wide range of possibilities. We select the house that we like the most, the one that may hide certain plastic characteristics that appeal to us: the place, the countryside or the city from which Van Gogh drew his plastic motifs. However, it can be any painting by any painter.

As a further reference to the cause for which this proposal-invitation to motivate walking arises is Post WALKING: FEELING AND ENJOYING, which has turned out to be quite objective illustration of the 2 outstanding aspects that I explain in it, about “FEELING” and “ENJOYING”, which sometimes we don’t understand clearly, especially the concept of feeling.

Of course, this is an idealized way to promote and encourage walking; however, additionally, I should mention that it is also a consequence of my recent book, entitled “VISITING THE INTERIOR OF THE ARTWORKS OF GREAT PAINTERS” (1).

In this book, I expose the use of Artificial Intelligence to recreate the interiors of any painting by the Great Masters of Plastic Arts, and with this description we can recreate the architecture to build that house or use Holography (Chapter 6 of the aforementioned book), in such a way that we would not necessarily have to build that house, we would only wander around inside it, by means of holographic images.

As we already mentioned in Post WALKING: FEELING AND ENJOYING, autotelicity refers to doing an activity for its own sake, because of the intrinsic satisfaction it brings, rather than for the purpose of achieving an external goal: just walking for the pleasure of doing it.

In this case, using holographic images for walking could be considered autotelic for several reasons:

Immersive Experience: Holographic technology provides an immersive and exciting experience in itself. The sensation of being surrounded by three-dimensional images while walking could be rewarding on its own.

Exploration and Discovery: Walking with holographic images could allow you to explore interesting and exciting virtual environments. The simple act of exploring new worlds and discovering details in the images can be intrinsically rewarding.

Sensory Stimulation: The combination of physical movement with holographic visual perception could provide unique and pleasurable sensory stimulation. This could generate a sense of connection between your actions and the images you see, contributing to autotelicity.

Creativity and Play: If you have the freedom to interact with and manipulate the holographic images during the walk, you could be engaged in creative and playful activities. These activities tend to be intrinsically satisfying because of their autotelic nature

In short, walks using holographic images can be considered an autotelic activity because of the intrinsic satisfaction that comes from the immersive experience, exploration, sensory stimulation and creativity associated with holographic technology. It is not so much about achieving an external goal, but about FEELING and ENJOYING one’s own action and experience, about FEELING and ENJOYING a walk inside the idealized rooms of one of Van Gogh’s painted houses.

For copyright reasons, we will only present images of the interiors that we created with the support of Artificial Intelligence, recreations obtained from one of the artworks executed by Van Gogh.

As I mentioned in a previous paragraph, this is a sublimated way to promote and encourage walking, as perhaps no one is encouraged to walk inside a house, let alone in an idealized way; however, for a considerable number of people who are reluctant to walk, just showing them some ideas of how Van Gogh might have imagined a house to paint its façade is probably enough to get them to take the first steps and get them to walk, if not inside their house, then outside it.

We could also, in order to imagine walking outside that Van Goghian house, recreate the courtyard in front of it and the courtyard behind it.

Let’s waste no time and go for a walk, imagining that we are walking through one of the courtyards that Van Gogh walked through.

(1) Loya Pinera, Rodrigo & Loya Lopategui, Carlos, Visiting Inside the Artworks of Great Painters, EMULISA, Mexico, 2023. Available on Amazon, Kindle Edition: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3GMC9KR.

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I have wondered what are the different ways that I can use to transmit the benefits of this system. The main purpose for which I published this blog was to motivate people to walk and practice the WALK-RWD System and in this way they can experience its benefits that I have had over many years.

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It’s a real challenge because I hear how difficult it is for people I know to decide to do any type of exercise. Personally, sometimes I find it somewhat difficult; However, I overcome that apathy, listlessness and laziness, just by repeating to myself several times that I always feel extraordinarily well, during and after having walked, allowing my body, mind and spirit to carry out this activity that pleases me and gives me levels of satisfaction in a short time, I emphasize: short time. Surely the mechanisms and forms of motivation are different for those people who live in places with high degrees of urban concentration compared to those who live in less complex places, in addition to other circumstances that also generate divergences in their stimulation and reluctance. Discouragement is always fought in the same ways, but with different intensity, depending on the circumstances, personal cases and our own way of being.

A very important element that we must always keep in mind, as part of the functional structure of the WALK-RWD System, is that we are not competing in any of the 4 fundamental activities that make up the whole, nor against any person, not even against Lord Time (Post THE WALK AND THE LACK OF TIME)

386. THE INCORRUPTIBLE “LORD TIME”

The title contains the words “feeling” and “enjoying”. There is no doubt for most of what it means to enjoy some activity, although sometimes we do not realize it; however, the feeling is that sometimes we do not truly understand it.

Suffice it to say that to enjoy something, you need to feel it, either consciously or unconsciously.

Let us observe how we should feel some experience, exercise, action, activity, etc.

Let’s begin to understand it by looking at its opposites.

Aversion, repulsion, negativity, hostility, animosity, contempt, disgust, etc., is the opposite; if we are not in these various positions, then very probably we can feel sympathy, attraction, affection, appreciation.

It has been shown that a very high percentage of the population suffers listlessness, apathy, laziness, sometimes depression (at different levels), when they know they are going to compete. Our system seeks to free us from that straitjacket, emotional-paralyzing chains. One of their mottos is “do not compete”; The only one we have to compete with is ourselves, which should be understood exclusively as developing abilities, tastes, desires, expertise, skills, faculties, but as we already explained in another post, the different “healthy” ways that we can use for it, ( Post PLAY AND WALK-PART I. NO TO COMPETITION, YES TO FUN), suffice it to know for now, that only a connection with our feelings will have to be achieved, through the following aspects:

1) Loving ourselves, taking care of our body and our mind;

2) Seek health;

3) Desire to be emotionally stable;

4) Experiment and take advantage of “here and now”;

5) Be empathetic with others and achieve patience with ourselves;

6) Be aware of the time we have;

7) Really know the attraction we feel towards walking, reading, writing and drawing;

8) The attraction or rejection that we feel about the activities and commitments that we are obliged to develop;

9) Be aware of our ability to concentrate and meditate.

The impulse that should move us is to be better in all aspects, with each passing day. We should not undertake any challenge to improve, if it implies some punishment for not completing it, therefore it should not imply high costs, only rewards for effort, for having “defeated” ourselves in silence -without anyone knowing- to advance our purposes and desires.

Several of the paragraphs that we mentioned above are closely related to the awareness that we must have when we develop an activity -any of the 4 of the System-, since we must carry it out to enjoy it in itself and not for any other, collateral, or for a satisfaction in the last future (Post THE “HERE AND NOW” WITH THE SYSTEM). These recommendations must be observed for any type of activity, in general; Its compliance is essential if we want to achieve (the) passion in what we do (Post LOOKING FOR PASSION IN THE REALIZATION OF THINGS, WHILE WE WALK).

How can we know about the attraction –or rejection- that we feel towards walking, reading, writing and drawing, or towards any other activity? In this questioning we will have to consider all the actions or activities that we carry out, whether for pleasure (own decision), by unconscious conditioning or by work, family, social, civic, religious commitments, etc.

In these aspects, our concentration, abstraction and meditation capacities play an important role (already discussed in previous posts), however, we will focus essentially on the function (act) of feeling and the art (exercise) of enjoying, in a simple and plain way, in such a condition that we can all respond in a simple and natural way.

FEELING

Being and feeling always go hand in hand. We feel good when we feel that our being is running freely: our mind feels free, our body moves calmly, our spirit flies in the air. We feel even better when we are also giving ourselves something: a moment of peace, meditation, contemplation, relaxation.

ENJOYING

In relation to enjoyment, we do not intend to unravel philosophical questions about hedonism, sensuality, eroticism or pleasure; we simply want to convey some ideas on how to truly enjoy (delight) what we do.

The fundamental thing that we must have in our feelings -not just keep it in mind- is that playing and the other 4 activities integrated into the WALK-RWD system are actions that contain an end in themselves, and that, furthermore, each one of them is co-propelled by the rest.

Each structured activity within the System is made up of several actions. Knowing and becoming aware that each action generated by our inclination to develop these activities, has its end in itself, places us in a position of balance and independence, in order to achieve enjoyment without conditioning of any kind.

This rule applies to all areas of human behavior: art, business, government, exercises, education, even within the same free time or illiteracy, etc., you have to educate yourself and perfect yourself, but leaving aside the things and forms that they are determined by the social structure (work, religion, rest, etc.) and we must select our activities for what they represent by themselves, for us. Only in this way can we enjoy them.

Human behavior should thus be directed towards these activities and actions for the value in themselves that they have for each of the human beings.

Now, if we already know that each action should be enjoyed by itself, how can we achieve it?

First of all, we can resort to the autotelic characteristic that certain activities have for a specific person.

This autotelic characteristic determines activities as absorbing and exciting, which is why an individual is excessively interested in them and thus manages to become engrossed in the value that they represent for themselves, exclusively, which allows them to become self-absorbed and enjoy them in an abstract way ( rapt).

The term “autotelic” comes from the Greek words “auto” (self) and “telos” (end or purpose). An autotelic activity is one that is performed for its own sake, is intrinsically rewarding, and is not performed with the aim of achieving an external result or goal.

In the games that we propose while we walk, read, write or draw (Post PLAY AND WALK-PART I and II. NO TO COMPETITION, YES TO FUN) that are creative, simple and fun, do not contain any link with the Obtaining or carrying out something productive, however, does have something beneficial for the person performing the action or activity by following their playful instincts.

We must also resort to the heterotelic characteristic that every human being has inside. A “heterotelic” activity is performed for the purpose of achieving a specific goal or result.

In the execution of plastic art and in other artistic genres, this characteristic drives the individual (woman or man) to act consciously or unconsciously, moving him towards the development of activities that have in themselves a specific objective or productive value, with an aesthetic character, which produces an attraction in itself.

Below I present several autotelic and heterotelic activities that we can develop while we walk.

Autotelic Activities:

Observe nature. As you walk, enjoy the beauty of the natural surroundings and appreciate the landscapes, trees, flowers, and animals you encounter.

Listen to music. Take your favorite music with you and listen to it while you walk, enjoying the rhythm and melodies that make you feel good.

Practice walking meditation. Focus on each step you take, feel your breath and contact with the ground, keeping a calm and peaceful mind.

To photograph. Take a camera or use your cell phone to capture interesting moments or beautiful views, enjoying your walk.

Talk to yourself. Use the walk as a moment of reflection and self-knowledge, talking to yourself about your thoughts and emotions, or about a special topic.

Draw outdoors. If you are an art lover, take your drawing material with you and create sketches or paintings inspired by your surroundings.

Contemplate the sky. As you walk, look up and observe the clouds, the sun, the moon and the stars, letting your imagination run wild and enjoying the firmament.

Read an audiobook. If you like to read, listen to an audiobook as you walk to immerse yourself in a fascinating story. Also, as we have recommended, read any document that you are passionate about.

Practice gratitude. Give thanks for the positive things in your life as you walk, acknowledging and enjoying all the good things around you.

Dance. If you’re feeling upbeat, put on your favorite songs and enjoy an impromptu dance as you walk.

Feel free. While you walk, you can feel free to do it on a forest path or through the open field.

Contemplate and examine a painting. If you like plastic art, go to a museum and contemplate the paintings that you like by walking through all the rooms of the museum.

Relying on holographic images. Engaging in an activity supported by holographic images can be very rewarding, even if they are not easy to create.

Heterotelic Activities:

Walking to reach a specific destination. Define a specific place that you want to walk to, enjoy a park or a friend’s conversation at home.

Do exercise. Set a goal for your walk, such as burning a certain number of calories or covering a specific distance.

Visit a tourist place. Plan a route that includes 2 or 3 nearby tourist points and take advantage of the walk to get to know your city or a place of interest.

Make purchases. Walk to the market or mall to buy groceries, clothes, or other items you need.

Go to your workplace. Walk to your office, whenever it’s close. Or, use a vehicle to a certain point and walk from there.

Go to your school. Walk to your school if it is close.

Do a sporting activity. If in addition to walking, you like a sport, such as skating, walk to a suitable place to practice it.

Walking to meet someone. Set up a meet up with a friend or family member and walk to the meeting place.

Participate in a charity walk. Join charitable events that involve walking for a charitable cause.

Walk your pet. If you have a pet, take advantage of the walk to take it for a walk and both of you will enjoy it together.

Walk to take pictures. Pre-define a photographic theme and walk around looking for related scenes to capture with your camera.

Conduct field research. Define a research topic and walk around your environment to collect data and observations related to the topic.

We must keep in mind that these activities, both autotelic and heterotelic, have their own advantages and can complement each other to provide you with a more enriching and satisfying walking experience. Let’s see what are the fundamental differences in these two human sensations.

Regarding the last autotelic activity “Contemplate and examine a painting”, we can imagine certain aspects, in relation to FEEL and ENJOY:

Enjoy: When contemplating a painting by Van Gogh, it is very likely that a feeling of enjoyment will be experienced. The vibrant brush strokes and play of colors can create a sense of wonder. The way Van Gogh captures light and movement on canvas can provide a fascinating and emotional viewing experience. Enjoyment arises from the appreciation of the artist’s creativity, the expression of the beauty and uniqueness of the work. This positive feeling can fill us with calm, inspiration and pleasure when contemplating a work of art.

Feel: When looking at a Van Gogh painting, one also experiences a wide range of sensations and emotions. For example, a person might be amazed by the intensity of the colors and the chaotic composition that reflects their emotional state. At the same time, he could capture the melancholy and loneliness often associated with his artistic style. Also, you might feel an emotional connection to the work if you have read about Van Gogh’s life and personal struggles. Thus, this experience can encompass both positive emotions and artistic appreciation, as well as more complex sensations, such as empathy for the artist’s internal struggle.

Viewing a painting by Van Gogh can provide both the “enjoyment” of visual beauty and the opportunity to “feel” a wide range of emotions and sensations by appreciating his art and the depth of his emotional expressions.

More specifically, one can imagine that one is observing any of the houses painted by Van Gogh and thus be able to describe how our “FEEL” and our “ENJOY” would be when contemplating it.

Regarding FEELING, it is certain that a mixture of feelings and emotions will be experienced. On the one hand, one could feel a connection to the loneliness and nostalgia that often characterize his works. The way Van Gogh uses colors and shapes can evoke a feeling of melancholy and reflection. The intensity of the colors and brush strokes could convey a sense of passion and emotional energy. Likewise, one could “feel” empathy towards the artist and his personal vision of the world, which often reflects his own internal struggle.

Regarding ENJOYMENT, one could imagine that despite the complex emotions that one would experience when observing the house painted by Van Gogh, it is also possible that one would find elements to enjoy in the work. The way Van Gogh plays with colors and textures could bring aesthetic pleasure. Perhaps you would appreciate the uniqueness and creativity with which he interprets reality through his expressionist style. The intensity and contrast of colors could create a powerful and enriching visual experience. Thus, “enjoyment” could derive from an appreciation of the artist’s technical skill and originality in rendering the house.

Taken together, looking at a house painted by Van Gogh can evoke complex and diverse emotions and sentiments to “feel”, while also allowing one to “enjoy” the unique beauty and artistic expression that characterize his work.

Additionally, we could imagine walking inside that house painted by Van Gogh that was built in some way, and thus describe our Feelings and our Enjoyment ((Future Post WALKING INSIDE A RECREATED HOUSE. REMEMBERING VAN GOGH).

FEEL: Walking into a house built following the inspiration of a Van Gogh painting, you may experience a unique and emotional sensation. The influence of the artwork on architecture could convey a deep connection to the artist’s vision and style. As in his work, it is likely that while walking in the interior spaces of the house, the colors and shapes evoke intense emotions and sensations. We could feel immersed in an atmosphere rich in emotional nuances, from euphoria to introspection. The house could become a space that, when we walk, invites us to reflect and contemplate, similar to the experience that his paintings usually provide.

ENJOY: Living in a house inspired by Van Gogh’s painting could give us constant enjoyment of creativity and artistic expression in everyday life. That is to say, observing ourselves walking inside the house, surely, the way in which colors and shapes are integrated into the architecture could generate continuous aesthetic pleasure for us. The vivacity of colors and the unique interpretation of reality could create a stimulating and enriching environment every day. The house could become a visually striking and stimulating space, where every corner and detail contribute to a unique aesthetic experience, while we walk around. In addition, being surrounded by elements that evoke the style of Van Gogh could inspire a feeling of connection with the history of art and human creativity.

Altogether, living in and walking into a house inspired by a Van Gogh painting could be an emotionally rich and aesthetically pleasing experience, allowing both the “FEEL” of a connection to the artwork and the “ENJOY” of the beauty and originality in daily life.

Now, regarding the autotelic activity of feeling and enjoying Van Gogh’s house, we do not need to build an interpretation or recreation -by means of Artificial Intelligence- of one of his paintings, but we could also walk inside it by means of a virtual form relying on Holography (last activity: “Relying on holographic images”). (1)

Let’s feel and enjoy the walks while doing them through any selected process.

(1) Loya Pinera, Rodrigo & Loya Lopategui, Carlos, Visitando el interior de las obras de los grandes pintores, EMULISA, México, 2023. Distribuido por Amazon, disponible en Kindle Edition: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3GMC9KR.

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🔊 Listen to Post

One might think that rhythm, compass (beat) and cadence are not very appropriate concepts to be used in the activity of walking, because they are usually applied in music and in some other artistic manifestations. I would like to mention and emphasize that walking as a natural human activity comprises a “musicalization” and is therefore realized by combining functionally and organically these three functional concepts. Walking is a percussive musical symphony (Future Posts EXPLORING OUR PERCUSSIVE MUSICAL WALKING-BODY-RHYTHM; THE PERSONALITY DEFINED BY THE RHYTHM WHEN WALKING-BODY; WALKING AND THORACIC PERCUSSION).

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THE VIBRATIONS OF THE BODY

Our body is permanently vibrating. It emits its vibrations when performing different functions through its various vital organs and systems: breathing (lungs and alveoli), palpitations, pulsations, heartbeat (heart), voice and language (mouth, larynx, pharynx and oesophagus), blood circulation (blood vessels), lymph circulation (lymphatic vessels), autonomous movements of some organs, etc.

The rhythm, the compass (beat) and the cadence of each body are organically aroused and create a vibrational symphony.

What does “organically” mean?

The term “organically” refers to how the different parts and systems of the body function and relate to each other in a natural and coordinated way to maintain homeostasis (Future Post THE WALK-RWD SYSTEM AND HOMEOSTASIS) and perform its vital functions.

In the physical aspect, the human body functions organically when the different systems (such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, nervous, etc.) work together to maintain an internal balance and allow for physical activities.

On the mental side, organic function refers to the brain’s ability to process information properly and maintain emotional and cognitive balance.

This implies – in both aspects – a complex interaction of biological, psychological and social factors that allow for effective adaptation to the environment and the demands of everyday life.

Considering the above, we can also consider arrhythmias, peristaltic movements and others as a source of organic vibration.

FUNCTIONAL ORGANIC RHYTHM, COMPASS (BEAT) AND CADENCE

Let us briefly analyze the concepts of rhythm, compass (beat) and cadence, taking into account the sensations and effects on the physical body as well as on the mental aspect:

RHYTHM: is the regular succession of events or phenomena with a certain periodicity. In the human body, rhythm can be observed in biological functions, such as heart rate, breathing, sleep and wakefulness, among others. It can also manifest itself physically as in artistic expression, in dance and ballet (Future Post WALKING, DANCE AND BALLET).

COMPASS (BEAT): is the regular division of time into equal units, which is used in music to measure and organize rhythm. In the human body, the compass (beat) can be used as a meditation technique to regulate breathing and mental concentration; it can also be observed in the coordination of movements and in the regulation of heart and breathing rate during physical exercise, e.g. walking.

CADENCE: is the rhythmic variation in the intensity, speed and duration of a movement or sound. In the human body, cadence can be observed in the way we walk, run or perform any type of physical activity. It can also be present in the way we speak (speeches and poetry), and in artistic expression such as in music and poetry. Cadence can be used as a tool to improve physical performance and mental attention in different situations.

Cadences, those variations in the intensity, speed and duration of our movements while walking (of constant time lapses) have been learned over millions of years in the natural practice of walking. We have developed that cadence (*) that we use when walking from the pristine origins of the human being.

(*) PERCUSSIVE CADENCE: Cadence implies rhythm, but also organization and harmony. In percussive music (percussion) it involves rhythm and time periods. An ordering that leads to intonation and harmony. It is the series of percussive sounds that are performed in a standardized and regular way. The percussive cadence in walking also involves the movement of the body to match the intonation (tones) produced by the steps. It is the perfect and normal distribution and organization of the sounds generated by the steps and the movements of the body as a whole. This walking cadence can normally be combined with sounds, movements and pauses, in both cadential spheres (sound and movement), which participate in a physical and auditory intonation, in full harmony. It is the normal harmonization that the body achieves when walking, as the steps are performed to a rhythm and musical beat of its own.

Each individual has his own rhythm, compass and cadence, as well as his own opening of step “d” when he performs his personal walking.

NORMAL STRIDE OPENING “d”

The step distance “d” of an individual is constant in normal walking. When we perform some extra activity while walking, this distance “d” is modified, either by increasing or decreasing it, transforming it into an irregular or out-of-normal gait.

In general, the normal walking pace “d” is greater than when reading at the same time:

DISTANCE d’ WHEN READING AND WALKING

d > d’

In the same way, we can illustrate for the other 2 structured activities within the WALK-RWD system, writing and drawing, and each of them will impose on each individual a specific stride opening.

To walk with a different stride opening than normal is to walk out of cadence, and of course, also with a definite rhythm and beat (compass).

It should be noted that the rhythm, cadence and compass, and therefore the step width “d”, change throughout the life of a human being, man or woman. The same values are not maintained in childhood, adolescence, maturity and old age. However, each individual develops these 3 parameters according to his or her gender, physical structure, weight, height, etc., and keeps them constant during certain periods of time.

The determination of each of these parameters involves measurements of time, space and number; and with them other quantifications such as speed, gravity, acceleration, weight, mass, etc. are combined.

Gaston Bachelard in his book THE INTUITION OF THE INSTANT, F.C.E., Mexico, 1987 (1932 in French) expresses his ideas about habits and conditioned rhythms, which shape the human being:

“A particular habit is a sustained rhythm, where all acts are repeated by equalling quite exactly their novelty value, but without ever losing that dominant character of being a novelty”(pp. 61-62).

“The global identity [of the human being] is made up of more or less exact reiterations, of more or less detailed reflections. The individual undoubtedly strives to copy today from yesterday; and this copying is also helped by the dynamics of rhythms” (pp. 63-64).

“The dominant habitus flows over those which are more unconscious” (p. 64).

“The human being is an integral sum of rhythms” (p. 64).

“The chronotropisms will be those that integrate the habits in this integral sum of rhythms that form the being” (p. 65).

Something more related to walking, Johan Huizinga, in his book HOMO LUDENS (p. 222), gives us some ideas that I will summarize: He refers to the body with its movement and balance when walking. That same rhythm that “contains” the body, from time immemorial, from the most remote times, which has manifested itself in the manufacture of food (archaic times), in an instinctive way, we also observe that the body carries it out, in an unconscious and imperceptible way, in walking.

And I, for my part, in the introduction to my book “Cocinopea”, describe this rhythmic movement that ancient human groups developed, to prepare their food:

It seems that someone whispered to us that the highest art, the best art, is the one that is performed with the greatest number of human senses. And therefore, we could venture to say that rhythm in bodily movements has a profound and subtle effect on the preparation of the cymbals, that rhythmic faculty, sensation and capacity are determinant in the being for it. I do not wish to expand any 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 chants and work tunes since the most ancient times and in very primitive activities such as grinding, milling, cutting, kneading, etc., as well as in the preparation of food, grinding, chopping, cutting, kneading, crushing, combining, mincing, mutilating, dismembering, slicing, carving, mixing, baking, roasting, and all of them surely had a compass (rhythm), a song, a rhythm, a melody, which accompanied and led them.

It was characteristic that these activities were carried out in groups, and as the activity of preparing food became more and more an individual activity, the custom and rituals of accompanying them with chants and rhythmic body movements in groups was lost.

Hence, we could also venture to say that a good cook is one who has an adequate and relevant inner rhythm. Rhythmic balance and good flavor merge to achieve the best dishes, which is why we recommend for this type of cooking the setting with music from the region, highlighting Huastecan sones; for each of the dishes there should be a specific suggestion of the music that can accompany the preparation of each recipe.

So it is also in our interiority that these 3 factors work to prepare the food: Rhythm, Compass and Cadence.

To conclude I would like to communicate the 5th Principle of the WALK-RWD system or Principle of Rhythm and Cadence, which arises and is an essential part of this Post:

5th Principle or Principle of Rhythm, Compass and Cadence.

Every individual has a rhythm, a compass and a cadence of his own, he only has to discover, apply and maintain them while walking.

The determination of these 3 parameters in each individual can be determined by the practice of walking itself. Only by walking can each person identify which ones are ideal for the body, both physically and mentally. There are two very important stages that we can go through in order to understand how to identify them. The first is related to ideas and the second is identified with health.

STAGE OF IDEAS. The human being when walking can manage to generate a greater number of ideas through the application of the WALK-RWD system (Post THE WALK-RWD SYSTEM ENCOURAGES CREATIVE THINKING. PART I; Future Post THE WALK-RWD SYSTEM STIMULATES CREATIVE THINKING. PART II, THE WALK-RWD SYSTEM AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE), the generation of an inexhaustible (unfading) wellspring of ideas and creativity; and when we enter into an attunement (symphony) with these three parameters when we walk, we may be assured that these are the normal and ideal parameters for that particular person, for he is generating an optimum number (quality and quantity) of ideas.

STAGE OF HEALTH. In the stage of health we can express the same; walking for the human being is a source of unquestionable youth (generation of health and prevention of diseases), besides the correction of morbid states when walking, through the application of the WALK-RWD system (Future Post THE SILENT SOUND OF OUR FOOTPRINTS HEALS US) and when we enter in a tuning (symphony) with those three parameters when we walk, we could assure that those are the normal and ideal parameters for that special person.

Let’s take a walk and introduce ourselves to these 2 stages of ideas and health

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