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The Postures of Meditation
During the ancient times until now, people practice meditation because of its provided advantages. Incorporating meditation as part of your daily life can make a big difference regarding your attitude and outlook in life. But because meditation is a procedure, it involves several steps as well as postures when doing it. Cross legged posture Various spiritual traditions and meditation teachers suggest or prescribe various meditation physical postures. One of the most popular postures is the cross legged position which includes the lotus position. It is taught in most meditative traditions that the spinal cord must be kept straight. So, slouching is not a good idea. This is because, when you sit straight, it encourages good circulation of what they call as spiritual energy, which is the life force and vital breath. Seated posture A meditator can sit on the chair with his or her bare feet, as what the New Thought is teaching. In Orthodox Christianity, a meditator can sit on the stool. While in Theravada Buddhism, a meditator is walking in mindfulness. In Sukhothai, Thailand, walking meditation of the monks is called bas-relief. The meditator sits up keeping his or her back straight holding the spine and head in…
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The Essence of Breathing in Zen Meditation
Zen meditation is letting go of pessimistic thoughts and simply relaxing. In Buddhism, it is a contemplative discipline performed to achieve calmness in the mind and body. Most importantly, it aims for a practitioner to understand the nature of life to obtain enlightenment. To fully experience positive results of Zen meditation, there are three general methods to consider such as (1) Concentration; (2) Koan Introspection; and (3) Shikantaza. Concentration is the main emphasis to start Zen meditation. You need to focus on your breathing which is commonly ministered by counting. Let breathing be your shield to any distraction. On the other hand, Koan Introspection focuses on "koan." Koan is an entity used for meditation. "Just sitting" or Shikantaza is meditation where an object has no place, instead mere concentration is needed. Once you have chosen a specific method, then it is time for you to be aware of the common positions undertaken in Zen meditation. Burmese Position At first glance the said position looks like a simple cross-legged position. With the Burmese position, you need to situate your feet so it will be in front of one another and let both your feet relax on the floor. You need to…
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How You Can Completely Relax Through Meditation
Once you have assumed a comfortable seating position, you are now ready to undertake the mindfulness meditation wherein you need to become aware of the current moment. You should experience what is happening right now at this very moment where you would welcome yet slowly dissolve the fear, rage, qualms, and reservations in life. Mindfulness meditation teaches you to be conscious of what is happening in your life as well as your environment. It lets you witness the good and the bad events. Most importantly, it lets you respond in a positive way to the matters you have become aware of. Release of tension and stress may be the comparable factor between mindfulness and active meditation. There are five processes a practitioner should undertake with active meditation. 1. Do frenzied and unsystematic breathing. This is done with the belief that it is through breathing which invites repression so it is also in breathing that it will be freed. 2. Act mad. This is done in order to free yourself from negative emotions you are keeping within. When you do this step, you need not be serious. You need to act mad and play with your body. Jump, dance or jog…
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