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make your own zafu?

padrepadre
edited June 2010 in Buddhism Today
Several years ago my mother & I obtained some kapok, buckwheat, and other raw materials, and rooted through the family collection of fabric & such. And we made a zafu and zabuton for my personal use.

We had so much left over that we made a few more, and shared.

They've all held up quite well so far, and I use mine to this day.

So it just hit me to see if anyone else has made their own. So, have you?

Comments

  • SimonthepilgrimSimonthepilgrim Veteran
    edited April 2009
    Part of the programme of a mixed study-and-meditation retreat that I put together for a community near here included opportunity to make a meditation bench or cushion. People really seemed to like it.
  • skyfox66skyfox66 Explorer
    edited December 2009
    I love the idea of making my own meditation cushions but I must admit...I'm lousy at sewing. I have the fabric laying around but my sewing skills need a bit of work. One day I will finish them though. :D
  • allanstevnsallanstevns
    edited December 2009
    I made my own zabuton. Didnt have the money to buy one, and my knees hurt when i sat for a long time. So i took a sleepmat and some leftover fabric and made a zabuton.... i even made it so it so i can fold it, when i have to take it with me for retreats. :)
  • MrsCoganMrsCogan
    edited December 2009
    Premade meditation cushions are so expensive it's almost insulting. I meditate sitting in a chair, but if I used a cushion it would probably be a couple of bed pillows. A good meditation bench is a regular plastic step-stool which are about $9 from Walmart. Drape a piece of fabric over it if you'd like for it to look more spiritual.
    http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=13225281
  • LincLinc Site owner Detroit Moderator
    edited December 2009
    I just use a folded stack of blankets or linens - whatever's handy today. :D
  • StaticToyboxStaticToybox Veteran
    edited January 2010
    I sit in a wooden chair, though since it's cold I sometimes have a blanket draped over it.
  • fivebellsfivebells Veteran
    edited January 2010
    I sit in a chair, too, though it's a pretty recent thing for me (the last two weeks.) I used to use a kneeling bench, but the extreme cold around here is making my knees hurt pretty badly.
  • StaticToyboxStaticToybox Veteran
    edited January 2010
    fivebells wrote: »
    I sit in a chair, too, though it's a pretty recent thing for me (the last two weeks.) I used to use a kneeling bench, but the extreme cold around here is making my knees hurt pretty badly.

    I think kneeling is pretty much out of the question for me. There's pretty much a constant dull ache in them at all times and the winter is especially rough.
  • sukhitasukhita
    edited January 2010
    I sit on a chair as well. I shortened the front legs of the chair by about an inch and this causes the seat to be tilted slightly forward. This helps in two ways: (1) the edge of the chair does not bite into your thighs; and (2) more importantly, it causes you to automaticlaay sit up straight (leaning back becomes uncomfortable).


    EDIT: Before you go chopping off the legs of your chair, try placing some wooden wedges under the rear legs of the chair to tilt it forward; and then try it out. :)
  • fivebellsfivebells Veteran
    edited January 2010
    Great idea! Thanks, sukhita. I'll try that out tonight.
  • buddhafootbuddhafoot Veteran
    edited January 2010
    I bought mine from Genryu (I think that was his name) and I really like it.

    Unfortunately, he never paid me back the $225 he needed during a difficult time in his life on here - so, it's probably, overall, more expensive than most of the zafu's you can find on Ebay.

    -bf
  • markallenmarkallen
    edited June 2010
    I made my own..I had never sewed anything before, but I have since. It's still great after a couple of years. I made a couple as wedding presents after. It wasn't too difficult even for me with no experience, and well worth it.
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