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Permanent physical limitations for posture
Ren_in_black
Georgia Veteran
in Meditation
I have kyphosis, which is a fancy word for hunchback. It can be managed but never cured, as it was diagnosed after I was fully grown. So I'll never have a straight back for the correct meditation posture.
Tried a few things. So far a chair has been okay. Perhaps this is superficial of me, but the chair lacks the gravitas of sitting cross-legged on a cushion. But the pain of doing so quickly becomes a huge distraction.
Anyone else had to deal with alternate positions for meditation? Anything in particular work for you?
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Comments
Frankly, my meditation time has really gone out the window for a couple years now. Sciatica and arthritis are my own Achille's heel.
A chair seems OK, but I think I'm going to try to find a Seiza bench.
A classical meditation posture is just a form.
While its a pretty good platform on which to begin a meditation practice, unless a meditation practitioner potentially transcends their attachments to such forms, what understanding of suffering's cause has actually been understood.
The human condition can simply be defined as our relationship of dependence upon forms, sensations, thought, activity & consciousness.
Meditation, conversely, defines a path towards a freedom from being subject to such dependences.
I'd suggest just choosing whatever physical posture simply allows you some balance between the polarities of a stupor inducing relaxation and a myopically focused pain fest.
The Buddha suggested four postures for meditation.
Walking, laying down, standing and sitting.
Perhaps you can alternate?
I saw one of those at a meditation center but it was just wood, no cushion, so I chickened out and took the chair that was offered.
Strangely enough, yes something does work. Just finished an hour of subtle internal movement.
First the problem:
Now @Ren_in_black you have the added difficulty of kyphosis.
Potential solution:
Movement and relaxation. This is the basis of what I tried. Some may not apply. Basically keeping the body subtly moving or reacting to pain and relaxing from and into/away from pains. Examples might be rocking backward and forward. Circling from the hip. Massaging the body joints, tightened muscles. Clenching and releasing. Raising the hands to mudras such as the namaste, prayer position. Rubbing pain areas.
Maybe prostrations would suit?
Thanks everyone! I am feeling more positive about what's possible.
Another satisfied meditator … now I can return to my favourite meditation and mudra, 'the deckchair chill' …
Notice the hands opening the chest, the gentle sun day waving visualisation … Easy …
I sit half lotus on cushion but if physical limitations make that painful or impossible, I would aim for any position with a good comfort to attentiveness ratio. Not so comfy that I could fall asleep but not so rigid that I could not relax. I guess that would be a trial and error kind of process.
As long as I could feel my connection with the Earth and properly visualize Touching the Earth I would be ok so I have to imagine you will be too.
For people who find it difficult sitting due to physical limitations or whatever why not try yoga or Tai chi both of which can be practiced with mindfulness.
@Ren_in_black
I have no recommendations. You utilize what works for you. That is enough, that is proper.
Peace to you
Peace to all
Nothing focusses the mind like pain. So do nothing … [oops]
meanwhile …
mmm …