A Suggestion for Meditation Practice

I thought I'd post this as it might be of interest to anyone who wants to practice Yoga type meditations, but finds it difficult or impossible to sit in any of the Hatha Yoga Asanas.
It is from the book 'Kundalini Yoga' by Swami Sivanada.

He gives a position where anyone can sit with comfort and yet maintain the straight position of the spine, which is said by many authorities to be important.

I recently showed this to a friend, who found it very good, and very comfortable. When I tried it myself, I had to agree, although personally I can sit comfortably in other Asanas, I might well use this sometimes.

Here's what the great man writes:

'An easy comfortable position for japa and meditation is SUKHASANA, the important point being the head, neck and trunk should be in line without a curve. People who begin japa and meditation after 30 or 40 years of age (also many younger people esp in the west..BBB) generally are not able to sit in Padma, Siddha or Svastikasana for a long time. People sit in any wrong way and they call it 'Sukhasana'. The trouble is even without their knowledge the backbone forms a curve in a few minutes. Now I will describe to you a nice Sukhasana whereby old persons can sit and meditate for a long time. Young persons should not try this. This is specially designed for people who are unable to sit in Padmasana or Siddhiasana in spite of repeated attempts.

Take a cloth 5 cubits long (1 cubit = elbow to tip of middle finger). Fold it nicely legnth-wise till the width be half a cubit. Sit in your usual way keeping the feet below your thighs. Raise the two knees to the level of the chest till you gat a space of 8 or 10 inches between the knees. Now take the folded cloth. Keep one end near the left side, touching the right knee come to the starting point. Then make a knot of the two ends. Keep your palms face to face and place them on the support of the cloth between the knees. In this Asana, the hands, legs and backbone are supported. Hence you will never feel tired. If you cannot do any other Asana sit at least in this Asana and do japa and meditation for a long time. You can also have Svadhyaya (study of spiritual books) in this Asana'

Try it - it is extremely comfortable when you get it right and although relaxed, extremely solid, which is one aim in Asana.
I'd just add - do also use a folded blanket or cushion to sit on in this posture.

 

Hare Krishna!


From BBB....

.....Try it - it is extremely comfortable when you get it right and although relaxed, extremely solid, which is one aim in Asana.

I'd just add - do also use a folded blanket or cushion to sit on in this posture.


A great post BBB, thank you. This will undoubtedly help so many of us.

It is absolutely important to isolate (Insulate) body from earth while doing japa or meditation. So, sitting on a blanket or cushion will serve this purpose along with providing extra comfort.

Love,

Kumar.

 

it seems nice, I'll try that.

thanks

 

Hare Krishna !

Dear Mantiri,

It is nice to note that you will give a try but before that please note the part of BBB's post where it says, "Young persons should not try this. This is specially designed for people who are unable to sit in Padmasana or Siddhiasana in spite of repeated attempts."

Please don't misunderstand, it is in no way to discourage you. The point is, you don't need to try the way it is meant for the elderly people. You are very young, so you can try in normal positions.

For beginners it is always difficult to do proper meditation. But it is only regular practice and habit forming that lets one know how easily meditation occurs in a later stage. So, please don't give up hopes after initial futile endeavours. After all, meditation is also not outside the fact that nothing happens in a day or overnight.

Love,

Kumar.

 

I agree it's a good idea to try ordinary asanas.
The problem though is that in western countries, people are simply not taught or never learn how to sit on the floor. In a way, we've beeen spoiled by comfortable living since we were children. Many people I know in their 40's can't do any of the Hatha Yoga asanas. Even some younger people seem to be built in such a way that it is nearly impossible for them to do even the easiest positions.
I was lucky, in that I first tried Hatha Yoga when only about 19 years of age, and also I have a slim buld and am generally quite supple. People with fat on the thighs and buttocks find it very hard to sit comfortably with the legs crossed.

Meiditation can be done sitting in an upright chair. There is the position known as 'the god', becauase the egyptian gods are generally depicted seated thus.
One shoud sit with the back straight, keep the knees together, and allow the hands to rest on top of the thighs. This is quite a good posture.

I think any youngish person who is reasonably fit would do well to try Yoga asanas though, as I think there are definite health benefits as well as providing a firm physical foundation for meditiation.
All the asanas have a kind of inate grace and power in them. A kind of subtle poise and balance. It can take time to feel this. They also seem to give to the body a kind of ease and grace of its own.
I don't think its an exaggeration to say that they can be kind of launchpad into a higher level of consciousness. Cetainly into a heightened body consciousness.

And actually, although it's ultimately a serious thing, it can be fun.

 

Hare Krishna !

From BBB...

I think any youngish person who is reasonably fit would do well to try Yoga asanas though, as I think there are definite health benefits as well as providing a firm physical foundation for meditiation.
All the asanas have a kind of inate grace and power in them. A kind of subtle poise and balance. It can take time to feel this. They also seem to give to the body a kind of ease and grace of its own.
I don't think its an exaggeration to say that they can be kind of launchpad into a higher level of consciousness. Cetainly into a heightened body consciousness.

And actually, although it's ultimately a serious thing, it can be fun.


Yes, BBB, it is right and could not be better said. Meditation is the base, the foundation for achieving wonderful physical and mental health. In any comfortable position if we all meditate even for ten minutes everyday, this whole world would become a much better place to live in. To treat this terribly suffering world meditation is undoubtedly one of the medicines.

And, of course, it can be great fun with daily experiences of meditation. It ultimately turns into a very serious thing which gives even more...... inexplicable joy, divine pleasure and bliss.

Love,

Kumar.