Cultivating Meditative Concentration in Motion Based on Calm Concentration

Meditative concentration that combines movement and stillness more easily gives rise to wisdom than concentration in stillness alone, because there are more conditions that can prompt the arising of wisdom, and it is easier to suddenly awaken amid the conditions of external objects. When the mind can remain in meditative concentration while walking, standing, sitting, and lying down, such concentration is more stable, bodily, verbal, and mental actions can all be pure, and the benefits are greater. After the contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) of seated meditation has become proficient, one should practice maintaining meditative concentration during bodily activities, so that contemplative practice becomes even more focused. 

When contemplative practice during seated meditation is very focused, try slowly getting off the cushion and doing walking meditation (caṅkrama), walking, or strolling on the ground, at a fast or slow pace; at this time, introspect again to see whether your mind can still rest on the breath, not being swayed by the surrounding sense objects. However, without concentration in stillness as the foundation for beginning practice, it is difficult to have meditative concentration amid bodily, verbal, and mental activities; if during activity the mind is not swayed away by sense objects, it shows that meditative concentration has increased. Meditative concentration during activity is extremely important—it is even more solid than concentration during seated meditation, it is used more often, and there are more opportunities for awakening to the Path. If during activity the mind is not scattered and can maintain the concentration of contemplative practice, it shows that the skill of observing the breath has become quite mature, and the practice of walking, standing, sitting, and lying down has become continuous and unified.