Lotus Pose question

Zayl

Ok, I have never been a flexible person, by any standards whatsoever. Even when I was quite fit I had the flexibility of a cinder-block. over the past few years I've put on some weight and I have found it practically impossible to cross my legs in the proper fashion (right foot on the left thigh, left foot on the right thigh, etc) and I was wondering if just sitting in a normal cross legged pose was passable? I can keep a straight back and my head level for hours due to my natural rigidity, so there are no problems with any other parts of the pose.

SherabDorje

Try to find a similar position that doesn't cause these problems. A chair is entirely acceptable.

Of course simple crossed legs is acceptable. I'd bet more people do it than the real lotus.

Zayl

SherabDorje wrote: »

Try to find a similar position that doesn't cause these problems. A chair is entirely acceptable.

Of course simple crossed legs is acceptable. I'd bet more people do it than the real lotus.

hey thanks

I was just double checking, then again I guess it's sort of a non-issue eh? people meditate in their own ways.

ShiftPlusOne

As long you maintain an alert posture, you're fine. The problem with meditating while lying down, or leaning in a comfy chair is that you can get drowsy and get in a useless state of mind. So yeah... a chair is fine.

nanadhaja

Many people use the burmese style of sitting which is left foot into upper right thigh and right foot into(not onto)lower left leg.
As others have indicated sitting in a chair is fine,though try not to lean back as this can cause drowsiness.
Meditating while laying down is best left for when we are going to bed,for obvious reasons.ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Gecko

Chairs? Too weak! Lotus posture, upside down with your scalp on a bed of nails dipped in itching powder, under a waterfall semi-frozen.

I 'cheat' and use a meditation stool to kneel, or use Burmese. I'll occasionally kneel a la seiza, but my knees aren't used to that abuse yet

BonsaiDoug

I too agree with what's been said here.

For me, age will only permit the Burmese position. But it does enable me to remain straight, upright and stable for 30-40 minutes of meditation.

Zayl

Thank you everyone. I have tried the Burmese style of sitting, and it is actually rather comfortable for me. Not enough to lull me into dozing off, but comfortable enough to be maintained for long periods of time.

Again, thank you.

sukhita

For hundreds of years before the Buddha was born, the yogis in India used the full lotus posture for meditation. Furthermore, in India, the cross-legged posture was the standard at schools, in homes, at meetings, at meals, etc. This was a natural way of sitting for them. The Buddha merely adopted the posture with which he was already comfortable with for his meditation practice.

I have heard that the full lotus posture is the "best" posture for meditation, but I wouldn't know because I could never maintain it for more than thirty seconds. If the Buddha was born in, say, Japan what posture would he have adopted?

I think any posture in wnich we can remain "relaxed" but "fully awake" for the duration of the sitting will be fine. Many of us, especially the older folk, have become accoustomed to sitting on chairs for so long that it will be quite difficult to adopt a alien sitting posture. So, it may be more practicable to use chairs for meditation, especially if we find it difficult or uncomfortable to sit in the lotus, half lotus, burmese, and kneeling postures. We should each explore what best works for us, I think...

Tosh

Thanks, Sukhita, that was a great explanation; as in the full lotus is more cultural than giving a real extra effective edge over sitting in a good position in a chair.

nanadhaja

Hi Sukhita.
I agree,the lotus position would have been something Lord Buddha grew up with.The lotus position,or any other similar position gives good stability for people doing siting meditation.As you yourself asked What sort of position would Buddha have used if he was born in Japan?Maybe we would all be using those little stools I see being used in Zen.

Floating_Abu

Zayl wrote: »

Ok, I have never been a flexible person, by any standards whatsoever. Even when I was quite fit I had the flexibility of a cinder-block. over the past few years I've put on some weight and I have found it practically impossible to cross my legs in the proper fashion (right foot on the left thigh, left foot on the right thigh, etc) and I was wondering if just sitting in a normal cross legged pose was passable? I can keep a straight back and my head level for hours due to my natural rigidity, so there are no problems with any other parts of the pose.

MRO has some pictures

The recommendations for posture are more for stability and body health I believe I understand the 'normal' crossed legged posture may pose some problems in that regard but I'm no expert. Have a look at the sites and see if there is any help. (apart from everyone else having resolved it :tonguec:)

BonsaiDoug

goingforth wrote: »

What sort of position would Buddha have used if he was born in Japan?Maybe we would all be using those little stools I see being used in Zen.

Ya know... if you have good knees, these kneeling benches are quite comfortable.

Just FYI:

Gecko

Yeah, meditation stools rock. Just remember if you're using one, to have some blanket or something under your legs, and possibly a little more padding for your knees (otherwise you can get pins-and-needles quicker then you can say 'om').

(W00t - she's got mala beads!)

BonsaiDoug

Gecko wrote: »

(W00t - she's got mala beads!)

I use my bodhi seed mala during my meditation to help me focus on, and count breaths; to time my meditation sittings. Each bead is a breath - thumb up the bead is the in-breath, and thumb down the bead (pulling it towards me) is the out-breath.

Twice around a 108 bead mala results in about a 30-35 minute sitting.

The last time I explained this method on another Buddhist forum I was cyber-smacked across my cyber-knuckles for mala misuse. :eek: (no joke)

nanadhaja

Slightly off topic here.I remember HHDL saying that Tibetans while using there mala beads as they chanted om mane pedme hum would go so fast all you heard was money.money,money.

Zayl

I've looked at some Malas online but can never quite find one that I like. then again the only website I really looked at was amazon.com and I don't think malas are their priority.

anyone have any recommendations?

BonsaiDoug

Zayl wrote: »

I've looked at some Malas online but can never quite find one that I like. then again the only website I really looked at was amazon.com and I don't think malas are their priority.

anyone have any recommendations?

I have purchased two from this Tibetan gentleman on ebay: http://stores.ebay.com/handsoftibet