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good place to buy a cushion/zafu?

ajnast4rajnast4r Veteran
edited December 2011 in Buddhism Basics
can anyone recommend a good place online to buy a cushion/zafu that's reasonably prices and of good quality?

thanks :)

Comments

  • MountainsMountains Veteran
    http://www.dharmacrafts.com/
  • BonsaiDougBonsaiDoug Simply, on the path. Veteran
    Do a search in Amazon - there's a ton of 'em. I just ordered this set for myself from The Zafu Store, via Amazon:
    image
  • Telly03Telly03 Veteran
    Do a search in Amazon - there's a ton of 'em. I just ordered this set for myself from The Zafu Store, via Amazon:
    image
    I got mine from here as well and am pleased with the quality of the buckwheat zafu
  • AsshatAsshat
    Awesome, I saw these and they looked really nice. I hinted at the boyfriend all sorts of stuff this year for Christmas, he should not complain how I never want anything for Christmas this year. :3
  • DaltheJigsawDaltheJigsaw Mountain View Veteran
    I double or triple Amazon!:) What about good incense? Any recommendations?
  • Telly03Telly03 Veteran
    I'm happy with the standard Nag Champa, but I recently ordered some new sticks, also from India, that Im anxious to try.
  • ThailandTomThailandTom Veteran
    I always look on ebay, there are so many people trying to undercut each other on there, that you can often find a bargin.
  • DaltheJigsawDaltheJigsaw Mountain View Veteran
    also.. half.com or overstock.com
  • BonsaiDougBonsaiDoug Simply, on the path. Veteran
    Awesome, I saw these and they looked really nice. I hinted at the boyfriend all sorts of stuff this year for Christmas, he should not complain how I never want anything for Christmas this year. :3
    My lovely child-bride got me this set as a Christmas present. The fill is kapok rather than buckwheat hulls; have a friend who swears by that, so I'm giving it a shot.

    Amazon is truly an online one-stop-shop. And if there's any sort of problem, their customer service is truly amazing.
  • ThailandTomThailandTom Veteran
    This is somewhat off-topic, but is it actually a must have for meditation? I am not disputing it, I am merely asking because I am far from am experienced meditator and would like to know. DId the buddha have cushions, did any of his followers use them or respected monks of the past? I am just curious.
  • BonsaiDougBonsaiDoug Simply, on the path. Veteran
    edited December 2011
    Tom - for me it is necessary. At 65 I can still sit in the Tailor position:
    image

    But my sessions have gone from 15-20 minutes to 45-60 minutes with a comfortable zafu/zabuton combo. My old bones demand a bit of comfort.
  • ThailandTomThailandTom Veteran
    I see, I have never meditated beyond 20 minutes or so spanning 3 years, so maybe santa should bring me a cushion!! I am exactly 6 foot tall, so not huge but still tall. My legs and feet tend to become numb after 10 minutes on the floor, so yes, maybe it is a must for certain people.
  • Telly03Telly03 Veteran
    I see, I have never meditated beyond 20 minutes or so spanning 3 years, so maybe santa should bring me a cushion!! I am exactly 6 foot tall, so not huge but still tall. My legs and feet tend to become numb after 10 minutes on the floor, so yes, maybe it is a must for certain people.
    I'm 6' 6" with lots of work to do on my limberness... I currently use 2 cushions, but hoping to eliminate the use of one soon
  • BonsaiDougBonsaiDoug Simply, on the path. Veteran
    edited December 2011
    I see, I have never meditated beyond 20 minutes or so
    Without getting too much off topic, for me, that 20 minute mark was some sort of breakthrough. My sessions were tough, and monkey-mind ran rampant. But for some reason, once I got past that 20 minute mark on a consistent basis, things settled down nicely. I always recommend to friends that they persist through 20-25 minutes 'cause it seems to have made a world of difference to me.
  • ajnast4rajnast4r Veteran
    What is the difference between buckwheat and fiber zafus as far as functionality?

    @bonsaidoug ... I agree right around the 20-30 minute mark is usually where monkeymind breaks and concentration develops.
  • BonsaiDougBonsaiDoug Simply, on the path. Veteran
    What is the difference between buckwheat and fiber zafus as far as functionality?
    Don't know yet. I'll post a review after my butt's been on my incoming kapok-filled zafu/zabuton for awhile.

    Supposedly the kapok fiber does not break down like buckwheat hulls, and is softer and stronger than cotton fill.
    image

  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    I might try one of these out. I currently just use a couple of couch cussions (not the part you sit your butt on but like sort of pillows). Sometimes I have leg numbness.
  • AsshatAsshat
    @LeonBasin I get my inscent sticks from the Pound Shop (UK). Something like the 99c store in the US. :3
  • MountainsMountains Veteran
    Amazon and ebay are okay, but try to find out where the items are made. Dharma Craft makes their own, they're not coming from a sweat shop in China or Vietnam.
  • BonsaiDougBonsaiDoug Simply, on the path. Veteran
    edited December 2011
    This from Zafustore.com (where I'm getting my set via Amazon):

    QUESTION:
    Do you make your own products?

    ANSWER:
    ZafuStore.com is one of the few companies in the industry that makes all of our own products. Many of our competitors buy from a manufacturer and they are a middle man. That costs you an extra markup. Since we make our own you receive a better value.

    QUESTION:
    Where is the products being made?

    ANSWER:
    Proudly made in the USA, we offer the highest quality meditation supplies in the world.
  • Floating_AbuFloating_Abu Veteran
    Not cheap but I am told stillsitting.com do good quality stuff.
    I bought mine from zafu.net I think :D (It's been a while!)
  • CittaCitta Veteran
    I'm happy with the standard Nag Champa, but I recently ordered some new sticks, also from India, that Im anxious to try.
    If by the standard Nag Champa you mean the Sai Baba ones in the blue and white box you might want to know that they recently replaced one of the main ingredients with synthetics...which is why long term users may notice a dilution in aroma. the green or yellow champas from Pure-Incense or the Nag Champa from Happy Hari still smell right.
  • CittaCitta Veteran
    edited December 2011
    www.pure-incense.com I have no commercial connection with them btw.
    Their whole range is superb.
  • ajnast4rajnast4r Veteran
    thanks all :)
  • Floating_AbuFloating_Abu Veteran
    Welcome - and good hunting ! :)
  • BonsaiDougBonsaiDoug Simply, on the path. Veteran
    A quick 2 day follow up:

    Zabuton is large and very soft. Zafu is high (8/9 inches unused) and is quite firm, but I can see it breaking-in shortly.

    Sat for 40 minutes with absolutely no pain. This allowed me to sit through my session without shifting or readjusting on the cushion due to discomfort.

    This is going to be a really nice zafu/zabuton combo.
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