Meditation Part 2
Our Meditation Posture:
Why do we meditate in a particular posture? Partially it has to do
with tradition. But even the tradition comes from a place of
achieving the highest benefit. When we sit tall and cross legged, the
blood flow and nerve centers of our bodies are lined up in the most
beneficial way. We are "open" and comfortable even though after about
15 minutes it might not seem that way! Don't worry. No one ever lost
a leg in meditation due to decreased circulation. Palms facing up on
your knees is a "receiving" position and palms down is a more closed
or internal position. Of course, my meditation instructor, Larry, is
a quadriplegic, so none of those rules count for him, yet he seems to
enjoy and benefit greatly from meditation. Sometimes you may see
someone wrapped in a blanket or shawl when they meditate. This could
be because the meditation room is chilly or because the person is
turning inward. Most of our day, we are looking outward at the world.
We receive information, make conclusions, make judgments etc. To
turn the eye inward is much more challenging!
So why keep the eyes open or partially open?
When we meditate, we begin to gain clarity and insight about ourselves
and the world. If we close our eyes we begin to be conditioned that
we can only have that insight when our eyes are closed. If we train
ourselves to meditate with our eyes partially open, we can begin to
use these new insights and skills even during our regular work day
instead of reserving it for our cushion.
How long is long enough?
Numerous studies have shown that meditation even for as little as 12
minutes a day, can be highly beneficial for stress reduction and peace
of mind.
Why do we meditate in a particular posture? Partially it has to do
with tradition. But even the tradition comes from a place of
achieving the highest benefit. When we sit tall and cross legged, the
blood flow and nerve centers of our bodies are lined up in the most
beneficial way. We are "open" and comfortable even though after about
15 minutes it might not seem that way! Don't worry. No one ever lost
a leg in meditation due to decreased circulation. Palms facing up on
your knees is a "receiving" position and palms down is a more closed
or internal position. Of course, my meditation instructor, Larry, is
a quadriplegic, so none of those rules count for him, yet he seems to
enjoy and benefit greatly from meditation. Sometimes you may see
someone wrapped in a blanket or shawl when they meditate. This could
be because the meditation room is chilly or because the person is
turning inward. Most of our day, we are looking outward at the world.
We receive information, make conclusions, make judgments etc. To
turn the eye inward is much more challenging!
So why keep the eyes open or partially open?
When we meditate, we begin to gain clarity and insight about ourselves
and the world. If we close our eyes we begin to be conditioned that
we can only have that insight when our eyes are closed. If we train
ourselves to meditate with our eyes partially open, we can begin to
use these new insights and skills even during our regular work day
instead of reserving it for our cushion.
How long is long enough?
Numerous studies have shown that meditation even for as little as 12
minutes a day, can be highly beneficial for stress reduction and peace
of mind.
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