Postures and Peace
Today I want to talk about postures. When we sit we have to assume some sort of posture. Some teachers are very strict about how you should sit. Many encourage the full-lotus. The full-lotus is established as the premier sitting position. However, that does not mean it is right for you. Your premier position should be one that is stable and comfortable. When we meditate as a group, you see many positions. I am not strict about postures. If you practice formless meditation, then overly concerning yourself with the form of the body is contradiction. Sometimes people who can sit in a beautiful full-lotus take too much pride in being able to do so. Sometimes people who are content to sit in a chair should push themselves a little to try a different posture. In the end, you have to go and stop. See what you can do comfortably. That is the best way to sit. You try to go to a certain point and then if necessary, fall back to what works. Do not sell yourself short. We might think “Oh, I could never do that”, and we do not even try. That is not good practice. We try and adjust, try and adjust. That is the practice of a Buddha. I cannot sit full-lotus for very long anymore. Some people cannot ever get in that posture. That does not mean you are wasting your time. Know the difference between discomfort and pain. Discomfort tells you that with patience, you can do it. Pain is telling you to stop and you should stop. We have to listen to our bodies. When we sit, we have to sit in peace. Push yourself and then sit in peace.
