Nguyen Anh-Huong is one of the first students ordained as a dharma teacher by Thich Nhat Hanh. She has taught mindfulness practices across the United States since 1988. In this combination book, DVD and CD, she teams up with her teacher for an instructional program on the spiritual practice of walking meditation. Thich Nhat Hanh notes at the outset:

"Walk leisurely, peacefully.
Your feet touch the Earth deeply.
Don't let your thoughts carry you away,
come back to the path every moment.
The path is your dear friend.
She will transmit to you
her solidity,
and her peace."

Anh-Huong presents the first step of walking meditation which is breathing mindfully. On the CD, she shares a ten-minute conscious breathing meditation. Anyone can do walking meditation — moving slowly with a half-smile on our faces. We think that peace and happiness have to be sought and so we frantically run after them. But they are here in the present moment. The authors recommend that when we do slow walking indoors, we take off our shoes so that we can feel a closer connection with the floor and the Earth. Thich Nhat Hanh says:

"When you begin to practice walking meditation, you might feel unbalanced, like a baby learning to walk. Follow your breathing, dwell mindfully on your steps, and soon you will find your balance. Visualize a tiger walking slowly, and you will find that your steps become as majestic as the steps of a tiger."

Anh-Huong has some suggestions for walking meditations outside:

"You may enjoy this exercise. 'Breathing in, good morning. birds'; 'Breathing out, thank you for your songs,' or 'Breathing in, hello blue sky'; 'Breathing out, thank you, dear blue sky, for being there for me.' When you can make yourself more present in this way, the birds and the blue sky are yours to enjoy and hold. If you continue to breathe consciously and smile to the sky, its space and beauty begin to penetrate your whole being, nourishing you and waking within you the seeds of joy, love, and freedom. And, during this time, you will refrain from watering the seeds of sorrow, anger, and despair."

Practicing walking meditation between meetings or on the way to our car is more challenging since we are surrounded by so many sights and sounds. The authors encourage us to stay focused and to embrace the emotions which may come up, such as anger, fear, pain, or grief. They also want us to include others on our walks, the living and the dead, those in prisons, those in wheelchairs, and all others who yearn for peace and happiness. This is a healing and helpful resource that could change your practice and even your life.