Even though meditation can be done while walking, standing, kneeling or even lying down, most people who meditate prefer to do so in a sitting position.
In choosing a position in which to sit, one thing to consider is the amount of time that will be spent in the meditation session. While some positions may be comfortable initially, in longer sessions some positions may cause discomfort to practitioners.
Meditating Using a Chair or Stool
Although the thought of sinking back into a big, cozy chair sounds relaxing, the reality is that one of the keys to meditation is good posture. According to Stephan Bodine, author of Meditation for Dummies, a wooden kitchen chair with a cushion works quite well.
Some people prefer meditating while sitting on a stool. Once again, sitting up straight is very important. Not only does it keep a person from falling asleep, it allows for a better energy flow throughout the body. Sitting on a chair or stool is recommended for those just learning how to meditate.
Meditating on the Floor
It is advised to sit on a cushion while meditating on the floor. The simplest form of sitting is to merely sit cross-legged. With this style of meditation, it doesn't matter whether your knees touch the floor. Although it sounds simple, it presents a challenge in keeping the spine straight.
The Burmese position is similar to sitting cross-legged except that the knees do need to be touching the floor. With either of these positions, hands can be folded on the lap or placed on the knees, palms up.
Lotus Positions for Meditation
There are three Lotus positions used in meditation. They consist of quarter, half, and full Lotus. For sitting in the quarter Lotus position, begin by sitting in the Burmese position. Now, raise one foot and place it on the calf of the opposite leg.
For the half Lotus position, simply move the foot from the calf, to over the thigh. To achieve the full Lotus position, place the other foot over the other thigh. The full Lotus is the most difficult of all sitting meditations. It also happens to be the position that Buddha used when he meditated.
Although discomfort can sometimes be felt during meditation, it shouldn't be painful. Unless naturally limber, it can help to do some stretching exercises before sitting to meditate.
Now, sit down, close those eyes, take a few deep cleansing breaths, and enjoy a peaceful meditation.
Readers might also enjoy Meditation Techniques, along with Meditation Made Simple, and Tools for Meditation.
Sources:
- Meditation For Dummies, Stephan Bodian, (Wiley Publishing,) 2006.
- The Best Guide to Meditation, Victor N. Davich, (Renaissance Media, Inc.) 1998.
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