Almost everyone thinks of meditation as something to do sitting on the ground with legs crossed. Tibetans practice this way as do the followers of Zen, Theravada, and Hinduism. But why? It isn’t just due to a shortage of chairs. There are good reasons to sit this way.
The posture is taught in terms of five points. The first is to cross the legs to keep the pranic energy circulating back to the trunk of the body, to the secret chakra(behind the genital organs). This promotes the generation of subtle internal heat. The second is to fold the hands in the position of equipose, one upon the other in the lap. In our tradition both hands are palm up, the left hand resting on top of the right. The hands are tucked against the low belly, at the level of the chakra, four finger-widths below the navel. Like the crossed-legs, this keeps the energy from being dispersed. The third is to keep the spine straight, not hyper-extended or rigid or slumped or bent. This keeps the channels, particularly the three main ones, straight and open so that prana can flow smoothly and easily. The fourth is to pull the jaw slightly down and in, which lengthens the back of the neck and helps quiet thought. The fifth point is to keep the chest open, which aids breathing and helps open the heart chakra.
To really discover the meaning in all this, pay attention to your own experience. When you arrange your body in meditation posture, how does it affect you? When you straighten your back, what happens to your thoughts and emotions? Does keeping your gaze upwards during meditation generate a different experience then when the gaze looks down? Knowing what pay attention to internally helps to develop the experience and the benefits of the practice.
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Wade,
Good post.
I just read something very interesting about this topic on Master Nishijima’s Blog. He talks about the origins of Zazen, how it is a sort of Yoga for the spine. He explains about how the posture is perhaps the most important component to meditation. Its a very interesting and new approach to me. Please check it out, I’m sure you’ll be interested.
http://gudoblog-e.blogspot.com/2007/07/just-as-it-is.html
Hi Greg,
Agree! Very interesting topic. I’ve been finding that active work on my posture seem to enable a clearer/more flowing mind. I also find it a very interesting track of visual progress.
Thanks for the link to Gudoblog, you’re right, it’s very interesting.
Peace,
Wade
I like reading your blogs.
The “shortage of chairs” comment made me laugh. Although the mats that I have, as supportive as they are, weren’t exactly cheap either.
It looks like you might be suggesting Taijiquan’s Grand Circulation meditation between the lines. But I wonder.
I’d like to stress from your excellent explanation that the point is to enter into dhyana. In Zen texts the emphasis is not just on posture but also on being comfortable, i.e. not being distracted by one’s body, but at the same time to remain alert.
And mindful.
May you awaken and be free.
-Mikael
http://www.mikaelaldridge.com
In my tradition walking meditation is a very beneficial form of meditation as well. Great post.