What do you sit on during meditation?

Discussion of meditation in the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions.
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mindyourmind
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What do you sit on during meditation?

Post by mindyourmind »

I use the rather traditional Zen arrangement of the zafu / zabuton, over the years that just worked out the best arrangement for me.
Dualism is the real root of our suffering and all of our conflicts.

Namkhai Norbu
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Josef
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Re: What do you sit on during meditation?

Post by Josef »

My butt.
"All phenomena of samsara depend on the mind, so when the essence of mind is purified, samsara is purified. Since the phenomena of nirvana depend on the pristine consciousness of vidyā, because one remains in the immediacy of vidyā, buddhahood arises on its own. All critical points are summarized with those two." - Longchenpa
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mindyourmind
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Re: What do you sit on during meditation?

Post by mindyourmind »

Nangwa wrote:My butt.

Funny :techproblem:

What does your butt sit on?
Dualism is the real root of our suffering and all of our conflicts.

Namkhai Norbu
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Josef
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Re: What do you sit on during meditation?

Post by Josef »

mindyourmind wrote:
Nangwa wrote:My butt.

Funny :techproblem:

What does your butt sit on?
Oh! :smile:
Usually a normal meditation cushion. But i will use whatever is available.
"All phenomena of samsara depend on the mind, so when the essence of mind is purified, samsara is purified. Since the phenomena of nirvana depend on the pristine consciousness of vidyā, because one remains in the immediacy of vidyā, buddhahood arises on its own. All critical points are summarized with those two." - Longchenpa
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Bhavana
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Re: What do you sit on during meditation?

Post by Bhavana »

a small pillow in the shape of an african violet flower from Pottery Barn Kids that I picked up at the thrift store for 50 cents. I'd love to have a beautiful "meditation cushion" but I just don't have the money for such luxuries at this time. All my cash is invested in vet bills.
zerwe
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Re: What do you sit on during meditation?

Post by zerwe »

A stack of three pillows from my couch=Zafu and an old SW Native American blanket folded up=Zabuton
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Beatzen
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Re: What do you sit on during meditation?

Post by Beatzen »

I was fortunate enough to have money to support my local monastery y ordering my zafu and zabutan from them. Hand made, buckwheat.
"Cause is not before and Effect is not after"
- Eihei Dogen Zenji
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Grigoris
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Re: What do you sit on during meditation?

Post by Grigoris »

Beatzen wrote:Hand made, buckwheat.
Does that mean you can also nibble on the filling when you get the munchies during those extra-long sitting sessions?
"My religion is not deceiving myself."
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE

"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
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mindyourmind
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Re: What do you sit on during meditation?

Post by mindyourmind »

gregkavarnos wrote:
Beatzen wrote:Hand made, buckwheat.
Does that mean you can also nibble on the filling when you get the munchies during those extra-long sitting sessions?
And what exactly would hand-made buckwheat be? :evil:
Dualism is the real root of our suffering and all of our conflicts.

Namkhai Norbu
Anders
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Re: What do you sit on during meditation?

Post by Anders »

Of all the different zafus, zabutons, stools etc I have tried over the years I find nothing beats a pack of folded towels for firmness and adjustability and so that it what I use. The specialised craftmanship is packed away somewhere.
"Even if my body should be burnt to death in the fires of hell
I would endure it for myriad lifetimes
As your companion in practice"

--- Gandavyuha Sutra
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Grigoris
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Re: What do you sit on during meditation?

Post by Grigoris »

mindyourmind wrote:And what exactly would hand-made buckwheat be? :evil:
Something like this???
buckwheat.jpg
buckwheat.jpg (78.54 KiB) Viewed 6509 times
Personally I sit on my ass, I figure if it's good enough for my protectors to sit on their ass I may as well sit on mine for meditation purposes.
protectors ass.jpg
protectors ass.jpg (13.78 KiB) Viewed 6509 times
:tongue:
"My religion is not deceiving myself."
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE

"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
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Mr. G
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Re: What do you sit on during meditation?

Post by Mr. G »

I used nadachair for a long time. Not I'm thinking about trying out Backjoy Core Plus. I'm gettin' old. :( :smile:
  • How foolish you are,
    grasping the letter of the text and ignoring its intention!
    - Vasubandhu
Anders
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Re: What do you sit on during meditation?

Post by Anders »

Mr. G wrote:I used nadachair for a long time.
This looks awesome. Looks like it could be a very helpful tool for supporting the lotus for people working their way towards that as well.
"Even if my body should be burnt to death in the fires of hell
I would endure it for myriad lifetimes
As your companion in practice"

--- Gandavyuha Sutra
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Mr. G
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Re: What do you sit on during meditation?

Post by Mr. G »

Yes, it was very helpful!
  • How foolish you are,
    grasping the letter of the text and ignoring its intention!
    - Vasubandhu
SteveP
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Re: What do you sit on during meditation?

Post by SteveP »

This is a problem for me, Ive been messing around for six months trying to get it right. i seem to need to sit fairly high to stop me from slouching
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nirmal
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Re: What do you sit on during meditation?

Post by nirmal »

SteveP wrote:This is a problem for me, Ive been messing around for six months trying to get it right. i seem to need to sit fairly high to stop me from slouching
You could try this for a start.Hight can be adjusted for your comfort


http://www.dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=5166" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
SteveP
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Re: What do you sit on during meditation?

Post by SteveP »

Thanks,

that does actually look quite good. Currently, I sit on rolled up bankets and I lean against the wall th support my back. This may not sound great, but it was that long ago that the very idea of me sitting crossed legged was unthinkable.
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Bonsai Doug
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Re: What do you sit on during meditation?

Post by Bonsai Doug »

For me, standard zafu/zabuton - kapok filled - super comfortable - and made in the USA.

I think we all realize position and what's under our butts is kinda irrelevant; it's the practice that matters.
Buddha was from India, so the lotus position is at the forefront. In Japan they're knelling during meditation.
Like many, I'm at that age where full lotus position is just not possible. But for the time being, the Tailor
position is quite do-able and comfortable.
Now having obtained a precious human body,
I do not have the luxury of remaining on a distracted path.

~ Tibetan Book of the Dead
SteveP
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Re: What do you sit on during meditation?

Post by SteveP »

What is the tailor position?
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catmoon
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Re: What do you sit on during meditation?

Post by catmoon »

These days I'm using two pillows off the bed and a piece of the foldaway bed in the living room. And earplugs.
Sergeant Schultz knew everything there was to know.
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