By Mike Kinney
An escape from the stresses of life can be found on the rim of Wildcat Canyon in East Richmond Heights.
The Buddhist Gyuto Monastery at 6401 Berhard Ave. is a spiritual oasis, and within its grounds is a beautiful Buddhist meditation trail.
The trail is nestled among Redwood, Madrone and coastal live oak, the latter draped by Spanish moss.
Neighbors as well as people throughout the Bay Area and beyond use the trail. Some begin their day walking the trail to gain a spiritual perspective, according to the Venerable Thupten Donyo, head monk of the Gyuto Monastery.
When Buddhists walk the trail, it shows spiritual devotion to Buddha, he added.
“It is what we call in Buddhism a walking meditation,” he said.
Walking meditation is believed to increase cognitive abilities, including improved focus, clarity and memory.
It is wonderful to see people who need a break and have a place to come to like our meditation trail,” Donyo shared. “They can come here and simply unwind. They become one with the natural environment.”
