Walking & Wayfinding

Every step toward self-awareness requires pause and intention. In “Walking and Wayfinding,” hiker, author and certified coach Lea Appleton imparts transformative knowledge she gained from preparing for the pilgrimage walk through the Camino de Santiago. Despite the pandemic altering her plans, she discovered the profound gifts of mindfulness, awe and inspiration. For instance, she shares a practice of mindful walking that she adopted during her journey, a practice that now guides her everyday life. This is just one of the many life lessons that she presents in the book, lessons that can help readers chart a path that is truly their own.

The book is a practical and meditative tool for harnessing the potency of walking. It invites the reader to create a sustainable and invigorating practice for one’s body, heart, and mind. Appleton’s experience in spirituality shines through in her intelligent and contemplative approach to wayfinding. Beyond simply a physical exercise, she makes the case for wayfinding in the inner and outer worlds.

Appleton's mastery as a coach, a role she has held for over a decade, is palpable in her writing, which seamlessly blends elements of healing and guidance. Her work revolves around self-exploration and unearthing profound questions, and this approach is mirrored in the concise essays about her musings and epiphanies that are scattered throughout the book. As a coach, she has guided numerous individuals on their own journeys of self-discovery, and this wealth of experience is evident in her writing.

Appleton's journaling prompts are not mere exercises but powerful catalysts for a transformative journey of self-discovery. They inspire readers to find their own significance in the act of walking and how it can reshape their lives, thoughts, and interactions with the world.

From my perspective and exposure to various forms of meditation, such as breathing, sitting, and walking meditation, Appleton’s distinctive voice emerges as a captivating addition. Her insights and practices have resonated deeply with me, serving as a gentle reminder to pay attention and notice both the external and the inner world.