Chapter – 4
Meditation Postures
Mediation and its daily practice is a centuries old phenomenon. People of ancient times were also known about mediation and its advantages.
Today, people love to incorporate meditation as an essential part of their lives to bring a great difference in their attitude and lifestyle. The procedure of mediation involves various postures and steps.
Following are the most common postures which are considered as daily guide to success.
1. Cross Legged Posture: Most of the spiritual customs and rituals as well as meditation instructors suggest a number of physical postures for mediation. Cross legged is one of the most popular postures, which is in fact a lotus position.
In this posture spinal cord should be straight. Slouching is not allowed in the majority of meditative positions. The reason behind is that when a person sits by keeping spinal cord straight, it enhances the good circulation of spiritual energy- a life force.
2. Seated posture: In this posture meditator needs to sit on chair with bare feet. In traditional Christianity, a meditator can sit on stool instead of chair.
On the other hand, a meditator bemoaning to Theravada Buddhism can walk in mindfulness. Walking meditation of religious people is termed as bas-relief in Sukhothai (Thailand).
In this posture the meditator is required to sit by keeping his back straight to hold spine, and thighs parallel to the ground you are sitting on. There should be no inclination in head alignment. Meditator's hands should rest on arm's chair comfortably or on his knees in case of floor sitting.
3. Kneeling posture: In this posture meditator kneels on floor with his buttocks relaxing on his heels and toes. Hands will rest on his thighs.
4. Corpse posture: This is a lying down style posture. In yoga this position is called as savasna.
Technique of this posture is that the meditator has to rest on carpet by keeping his legs relaxed plus straight. However, it is a less commonly used posture because there are chances that meditators' may fall asleep.
It is due to the resemblance of corpse posture with natural sleeping position. So, this posture usually used to reduce stress instead of meditation purposes.
5. Hand gestures: Hand gestures and incorporating mudras have a theological importance behind them. These gestures affect meditator's consciousness according to Yogic philosophy.
The position of Buddhist's hand is the best example. In addition, there are numerous still repetitive activities which incorporation with each other brings outstanding meditative results in performer's life.
These activities include deep breathing, chanting and humming. The time interval and frequency vary according to different meditation techniques. Lifetime meditation generally belongs to the religious people like monks, nuns etc.
On the other hand, 20 to 30 minutes is widely accepted time span for mediation. This duration may increase for the experienced meditators as process continues. Instructions and advices of a Spiritual teacher are required to get the maximum advantages of meditation.
Most of meditation methods need practice on routine basis. Determination and acceptance are required to get successful results from meditation. This will aid you in extended hours of meditation.
Which ever Posture is comfortable for you, you can start practising it at you convenient time for better relaxation.