Meditation Postures: Take Your Pick

It’s not at all necessary to assume an awkward or challenging pose when you’re meditating. There are one or two guidelines, though, that help you maximize your meditation session. For example, almost all meditative practices teach that the spine must remain straight and slumping is not encouraged. The reason for this is that when you sit erect it promotes the circulation of your spiritual energy. This is believed to be your life energy or force.

Even though a straight back is almost universal in the different approaches to meditation, some forms of the practice such as spiritual meditation utilize a variety of postures. Let’s take a look at some of these positions.

1. Seated posture. The person sits erect while keeping the back straight. The head and spine are in alignment and not tilted. The thighs are parallel to the floor. Hands are placed comfortably on the knees or chair arms.

2. Cross legged posture. This is a very common posture; the lotus position is included in this category.

3. Kneeling posture. The person is positioned with both knees resting on the floor. Buttocks remain resting on the heels and toes, which are close together. The hands are placed on the thighs.

4. Lying down position. This is also called the corpse position or, in yoga, savasna. The person lies down on the floor keeping the legs unbent and at ease. This posture isn’t that common since it so closely resembles the sleeping position. A person might doze off at times. This is more useful for stress reduction rather than as a meditation method.

In addition to these postures, there are several gestures and movements that can be incorporated into the practice of meditation. Included in these are hand motions which are termed Mudras. There’s a theological significance behind these motions. Coming from the yogic philosophy, they can impact your consciousness. One illustration is the typical Buddhist hand placement. With the thumbs touching, the right hand is positioned on top of the left hand.

You can also encourage a state of meditation through the use of repetitive activities like deep breathing, chanting and humming. There are also those who use walking meditation. It’s common to keep the eyes closed or partially open while meditating. Those who practice Soto Zen meditation, however, do so with their eyes open looking at a wall.

Since ancient times, people have practiced meditation techniques for the numerous benefits they offer. Incorporating meditation into your everyday life could make a huge difference in your mindset and attitude. To achieve the advantages of meditation, stick to the advice and training of the kind of meditation you have chosen to practice. Remember that acceptance and persistence are necessary in order to have success. This could be of help at times when you find difficulty in meditating, and it will also improve your concentration in daily life.