What do you sit on?

General discussion of issues related to Theravada Meditation, e.g. meditation postures, developing a regular sitting practice, skillfully relating to difficulties and hindrances, etc.
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Tex
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What do you sit on?

Post by Tex »

Greetings!

I'm curious if any of you use or recommend a zafu/zabuton set, seiza bench, or anything similar? To date I've been using the floor or a chair when I sit and I think I would probably be more comfortable with some proper meditation gear. Thoughts or advice?
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Modus.Ponens
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Re: What do you sit on?

Post by Modus.Ponens »

Hey. Good to see you here.

To paraphrase Ajahn Thanissaro, zafus are mostly a waste of money. Try using one or two couch pillows, or folded blankets to the height that is most confortable to you.

Metta.
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Kim OHara
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Re: What do you sit on?

Post by Kim OHara »

Hi, Tex - long time no see!
I use and recommend a large thin cushion (cotton blanket folded in 4 or 6 layers) with a smaller thicker firm cushion on it. Most couch cushions and pillows are too soft and you just sink into them, where you need to sit on them to keep your hips at least as high as your knees.
Sitting flat on the floor for any length of time is beyond me and, I think, beyond most westerners.

:namaste:
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lyndon taylor
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Re: What do you sit on?

Post by lyndon taylor »

At the immigrant community Thervada temples I've attended, the monks might sit on a thin square cushion, but the lay followers pretty much all sit on the floor(matt or carpet), admittadly they're usually there for chanting, not so much meditation, but if you're comfortable with it, it seems to me sitting on the floor without a cushion is always an option.
18 years ago I made one of the most important decisions of my life and entered a local Cambodian Buddhist Temple as a temple boy and, for only 3 weeks, an actual Therevada Buddhist monk. I am not a scholar, great meditator, or authority on Buddhism, but Buddhism is something I love from the Bottom of my heart. It has taught me sobriety, morality, peace, and very importantly that my suffering is optional, and doesn't have to run my life. I hope to give back what little I can to the Buddhist community, sincerely former monk John

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pilgrim
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Re: What do you sit on?

Post by pilgrim »

Various cushions, as long as the hips is at same height or higher than the knees, and the cushion slants forward a little ( or otherwise tuck a folded towel under the tailbone).
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BlackBird
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Re: What do you sit on?

Post by BlackBird »

A gigantic big armchair lazy boy, I sit my 6 ft 5" frame down cross legged across the chair, it's that big.
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imagemarie
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Re: What do you sit on?

Post by imagemarie »

Zabutons are really overpriced. I made my own by cutting off the end of an old sleeping bag. It's very soft and works fine. I wouldn't be without my own zafu either - familiarity breeds content :smile: It's filled with malleable buckwheat hulls that support wherever you need it - butt wise.

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Ben
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Re: What do you sit on?

Post by Ben »

I've got a couple of futon cushions that I've been using for over ten years and are now ready to be superannuated.
When I am not at home I use whatever is available. Last night it was a doubled over blanket and when I have been camping I've doubled over my thermarest.
Welcome back, Tex.

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purple planet
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Re: What do you sit on?

Post by purple planet »

i sit on my bed - with a pillow behind me with a straight back - i have a big pillow between me and the wall and a very small pillow that i put for my lower back

but the most important things that help me are sitting on a bed - legs crossed - not lotus or half lotus - and to lean a bit on the wall with a more or less straight back - this is what works for me - not sure it will work for you
daverupa
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Re: What do you sit on?

Post by daverupa »

I primarily use a meditation bench with folding legs; it fits into a backpack. The trick is to get your knees to rest comfortably below your hips so that your back curves properly.
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vkasdn
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Re: What do you sit on?

Post by vkasdn »

i use a blanket folded like a small pillow shape, a friend suggested that i not waste money buying something i can sit on when essentially i can sit on nearly anything for free, also i will not be dependent on a special device if i want to sit...
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convivium
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Re: What do you sit on?

Post by convivium »

chairs
Just keep breathing in and out like this. Don't be interested in anything else. It doesn't matter even if someone is standing on their head with their ass in the air. Don't pay it any attention. Just stay with the in-breath and the out-breath. Concentrate your awareness on the breath. Just keep doing it. http://www.ajahnchah.org/book/Just_Do_It_1_2.php
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mydoghasfleas
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Re: What do you sit on?

Post by mydoghasfleas »

I used a bath towel folded into thirds lengthwise and then rolled up. It ends up the same size as a standard meditation cushion and no matter where I travel, there's always a bath towel available.
Coyote
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Re: What do you sit on?

Post by Coyote »

I have been using two big fluffy pillows to support me while I sit on the floor. I have tried using a folded blanket but found it too hard and uncomfortable. I am thinking of switching back to the folded blanket so I can get used to it, and I think it will prove to be the best option in the long run given that it elevates the hips to a higher and more stable position than the pillows.
A lot of the discomfort can be dealt with by just sitting it out while the body gets used to the new position. I even found two pillows uncomfortable for a while, but now it does not bother me at all.
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lyndon taylor
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Re: What do you sit on?

Post by lyndon taylor »

With reference to right speech and the precept against lieing, I would have to say mostly my computer chair!! I've got a bit of a phobia about sitting meditation, I used to be big into sitting meditation, no cushions, just straight on the floor, but heard too many voices, and ended up in the hospital many times, so now I do my meditation lying down, and just everyday awareness 23/7!!

Sitting meditation, as opposed to chanting, is not always recommended for people with mental illnesses that involve voices, voices tend to be quieter than our thoughts, and quieting our thoughts through meditation, makes the voices seem louder or more obvious, every time I have let myself get into hearing and following voices, I end up in the psych ward. So this is just a personal problem, not advice for anyone, except those just like me......
18 years ago I made one of the most important decisions of my life and entered a local Cambodian Buddhist Temple as a temple boy and, for only 3 weeks, an actual Therevada Buddhist monk. I am not a scholar, great meditator, or authority on Buddhism, but Buddhism is something I love from the Bottom of my heart. It has taught me sobriety, morality, peace, and very importantly that my suffering is optional, and doesn't have to run my life. I hope to give back what little I can to the Buddhist community, sincerely former monk John

http://trickleupeconomictheory.blogspot.com/
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