Sumeru author Innen Ray Parchelo speaks with Ted Meissner of the Secular Buddhist podcast…
Chances are if you are on a silent meditation retreat, the primary focus is sitting practice. Not just on retreats, either; sitting has a dominant focus in contemplative practice, interspersed with periods of short walking which seem geared to loosen up the body in order to… support more sitting. Walking and other movement practices themselves have more to them than just relief for stressed joints with a little exposure to mindful awareness of lifting, placing, shifting. Instead, contemplative walking can be a heartwood of practice.
Innen Ray Parchelo has studied, taught and practiced Buddhism for more than 50 years. He is Canada’s first Tendai priest and acts as both the Priest to the Red Maple Tendai Sangha and Director of Tendai Canada. He is the coordinator of Red Maple Centre for Mindful Living and of The Padakun Centre for Contemplative Walking. He began his formal dharma practice in 1974 and has been a member of several Buddhist centres, first taking refuge in 1994. In 2008, he renewed his refuge-vows and in 2010 was ordained a Tendai priest. Special thanks to John Negru of Sumeru Press for help with today’s interview.
So, sit back, relax, and have a nice Cloud Walking tea.
Innen Ray Parchelo is the author of Walk Like a Mountain: The Handbook of Buddhist Walking Practices (Sumeru, 2012)