Meditation Posture

  mind and body: the need for posture
  the 7-point posture of Vairocana
  eyes and gaze
  breath
  a bare minimum
  things to avoid
  things which may help

Mind and Body:  the need for a good posture

From the moment of conception until the moment of death, mind and body are inextricably linked. Were it possible to separate them (it isn't), one could say that they constantly affect each other. Most people understand that mind affects body, as they see examples of this all day long. The moment people come into a room, their posture tells us whether they are feeling good, depressed, self-confident, afraid, tense and so forth - long before they say a word. But few people realise just how much body and breath can be used to help the mind. As meditation is concerned with taming and awakening the mind, posture can be mobilised to great use.

Although one can think, visualise, pray or do mental exercises in any position, there are few in which can remain healthily and comfortably for the time it takes to accomplish most meditations. The few that permit this (lying flat etc) often tend make one sleepy as the meditation brings relaxation. This is not what meditation is for. In a good meditation posture, relaxation becomes the basis for the crystal clarity of awakened awareness, not a sleepy haze.

Although it may be hard for beginners to get used to the classical Buddhist meditation postures, the rewards of a few sessions with aching knees are tremendous, as one can meditate in that good position for the rest of one's life. Correct posture helps the mind find peace, strenght and control. It benefits the physical body by bringing its energies and bio-systems into balance. And one can spend all day in a clasical posture in a state of great harmony - virtually impossible in everyday positions. Below you will find the classical 7-Point Posture of Vairocana, with some variations.       
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The 7-Point Posture of Vairocana

1. The back (i.e. from nape of neck to the small of the back) should be made as straight as possible - like an arrow or like a pile of coins.

2.  The legs should be crossed in the vajra or bodhisattva posture (see right).

3.  The hands (see below) should be folded, 4 fingers' width below the navel (not resting on the feet), the elbows slightly out. The shoulders are held up and back ('like a vulture')

4. The chin should be tucked in slightly, 'like an iron hook'.

5.  The eyes (see below) should be relaxedly looking into space, at nothing in particular, somewhere about 16 fingers width in front of the nose.

6.  The tongue should be held against the upper palate.

7.  The lips should be slightly apart, the teeth not clenched. One breaths through the nose.       top of page

Vajra posture - right leg is above left leg, the backs of the feet sitting flat on the tops of the thighs. Ideally, the two feet make a straight line.

Bodhisattva posture - left sole fits under right thigh, back of right foot lies flat on top of left thigh.

The right hand sits on top of the left, 4 fingers' width below the navel, the thumbs touching.