This walking meditation is designed to help you gain a stronger appreciation for your dog and the natural world on your walks together. It will also direct you to notice a dog’s exuberance, and this happiness may extend into our hearts and minds. The reward from this meditation will be a feeling of joy that allows you to be more present with others in daily routines, bringing an increased sense of gratitude and fullness to life. 

For detailed show notes, visit dogwalkmeditation.com/episodes/s2-embrace-joy

Season 2 of the Dog Walk Meditation podcast is guided by Annette McGivney, who has been practicing meditation since she was young, finding calm while exploring the woods with her dog during a difficult childhood. Annette has studied Zen Buddhism for the last fifteen years, but her favorite contemplative practice is daily hikes outside in nature with her dog running off-leash, as she has done all her life. 

Annette is also an award-winning journalist and book author. She is the  Southwest Editor for Backpacker Magazine and contributes articles to Outside Magazine, New York Times Magazine, The Guardian, and more. Her reporting covers investigations of environmental issues, the rights of indigenous peoples, and the outdoor/hiker lifestyle. She has written several books connected to life outdoors, and her most recent book, Pure Land, won the National Outdoor Book Award. 

This show is a spinoff series of the Dog Save The People podcast, which features uplifting interview stories about how life is better with a dog. Both shows are original podcast series created by As It Should Be Productions.