Running with the Mind of Meditation by Sakyong Mipham

Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche came across my radar recently via an interview on The Good Life Project. The leader of Shambhala (a community of meditation retreat centers) and a meditation teacher, he is also an avid runner. I was curious to learn how running and meditation practices could intersect or inform each other.

I tend to prefer books with very clear maps and progressions, and to my taste, this one weaves a bit. But that said, I found it impactful. Perhaps because of the weaving, when I’d finished the book I couldn’t recall any specific aha’s. But at the same time, I notice I approach both my running and my meditation practice (which is the more wobbly of the two) with renewed energy.

One concept of Mipham’s that I was particularly attracted to is the idea of creating an intention for a run. He says:

I believe that with pure intention, you can bring almost any activity onto your spiritual path. My intention in running is to benefit others. Thus running is a continuation of my spiritual journey…. Having such intention adds dignity to our run. We are no longer just one person running along a trail, in the countryside or on the street. Our mind and heart are extending further–even globally.

Running is such a joyful activity, that I love the idea of using that energy in a bigger way.