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Posture
Fenix
Veteran
Is there such a thing as perfect posture, will I ever find it
0
Comments
Zazen posture
Zen Meditation Instructions - Synopsis
In the 'Zen Posture' link the author describes seiza as kneeling with the knees together. This would lack the '3 point' support offered by full lotus.
I was always taught that in seiza we kneel with the knees shoulder width apart, big toes touching, which provides wonderful triangular stability. I can't see how a cushion or bench could be used easily with the knees and feet togather.
Using a cushion is not as stable IMHO, but is certainly more comfortable. As with full lotus, sitting without a cushion requires practice as the legs may feel compressed.
Our bodies change as we get older, and so our posture have to change to adapt to the new needs of our body. There are some guidelines for the "ideal" posture, but meditation postures are something we work with for the rest of our life. Even great masters, sit differently through their life. The most important thing is that you are able to sit in a comfortable way, that support your meditation practise.
Much love
Allan
When you're a perfect person.
I like this answer.
I don't think there is a perfect posture. I personally find the most comfortable meditating position to be laying down on the bed, on my back. But if you think the risk of falling asleep would be too much, you might want to try using a bean bag. I use to do it this way sometimes (when I had a bean bag - had to get rid of it when I moved along with a lot of other stuff), and I found it quite good as you can mould it to whatever shape suits you best.
Perhaps I should invest in another bean bag sometime...
The knees need to be slightly lower than the hips (on the horizontal). This allows your hips to gently roll forward taking pressure off your lower spine. It also gives the spine the slight 'S' shape that it needs. It's a common fallasy that the spine needs to be post straight.
The "three point" teaching is to give you stability left-to-right as well as front-to-back, in case you fall asleep
Nios.
http://newbuddhist.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=15&pictureid=83
Posture is very important, your posture affects the mind and the mind affects your posture.
For someone with a bad back it might be good, as it seems to give support. However, if you don't really have back problems, it's a little lazy
You're right about the "ego..." thing. I personally think that our meditation seat/mat/cushion or whatever... should be kept as simple as possible. Anyway, this "designer" stool will cost way beyond my means.
I'd sit on it cross legged though and have the back to support my back. I'd probably have to put a cushion at the back though.
"Bad back Boo"
My problem is the knees - stiff, and painful at times. Been that way for a long.. long.. time. So I sit for meditation on a regular chair.
I feel for you, Sukhita.
Whenever the pain comes, I wrap the knees with crepe bandage... this helps quite a bit. Anyway, this pain is a on-off thing, dosn't pain all the time... thank goodness for that. BTW two of my sisters also have this same problem, so it seems to be kind of 'hereditary.'
With kind regards,
Sukhita