Shonin wrote:Dazzy wrote:Nope. I actually like to get used to sitting on the floor with a small cushion. Getting used to a chair or a bench creates an unnecessary dependency whereas the floor is always available wherever you go.
Yep. Apart from needing a cushion, sitting on the floor on a cushion is less dependent than sitting on the floor on a meditation bench (which needs a bench) or sitting on the floor on an ordinary chair (which needs a chair).
That is why I sit on bare floor.
I also do the burmese position, though my second foot is a bit farther up the shin compared to the picture. It's halfway between the knee and foot.
I still can't bring my left knee down to the ground completely since I broke my leg a year ago... but I still sit comfortably, and the position is pretty stable. It's all in posture. The pelvis
should be vertical (not rolled under), and the bottom two points should be rooted in the ground.
I do the zazen mudra. I float it a bit (not resting on my lap, and the pinkies are resting lightly against my belly; aligned with the dantien, more or less)... this brings back my arms and shoulders. With this and the position of my pelvis, the spine ends up straight by itself. This might feel like a little bit effort to do in the beginning (a little tiredness in the arms), but after a week, you should be used to it, and then it becomes effortless. It becomes very stable.
The thumbs are not pressed against each other, but lightly touching (an equal mixture of drawing away and pressing together). This lightness should also be reflected with the rest of your posture.