Best Meditation Posture
Out of eight hundred thousands of different postures (asana), the yoga sutra mentions padmasana as a suitable posture for attaining enlightenment. This is the relevant posture for practicing pranayama and meditation according to the ancient text.
In ancient days, the sages and yogis used to sit in this posture for a prolonged period of time at ease during meditation. This seems like a tedious task for some modern practitioners.
But now, yoga practitioners say to sit in the posture which maintains a straight back as such as sitting in the chair for the incapables.
Few modern practitioners say that whatever the pose may be, meditation practices require only the straight back to ensure its benefits. But the real benefit relies only on meditating on the Padma-asana posture which has a deep-rooted significance more than the philosophical explanations.
Yoga texts recommend that Siddhasana is a powerful alternative for this posture who are having difficulties with it.
According to Goraksha Samhitha, there are only two effective meditation postures, Padmasana and Siddhasana.
Significance of Padmasana Postures for Meditation
It is the significance of the padmasana posture and not the coincidence that the carvings and the paintings depict this unique posture. This is the ideal yoga posture for pranayama – breathing exercise and meditation.
This asana got its name after the lotus flower because it resembles it. And, the lotus became the spiritual flower where the deities reside. We can see such images in the Indian painting of Gods and Goddesses.
The padmasana posture has a tripod shape and it is the sturdiest posture of the asanas. A similar shape affects the mode of receiving energy.
This asana prevents the yogi from falling during the surges of the pranic energy in the body. This also holds the erect back with the spinal cord effortlessly retaining its natural shape and position.
While on this asana the spinal cord retains the double ‘s’ shape which in turn increases the activity of the prana. The three Nadis namely Sushumna, Ida, and Pingala become active, and the chakras in the Sushumna Nadi are effectively enriched with the energy.
Moreover, the palm of the legs faces above, making them receptive to the cosmic energy rather than becoming the conductor of the energy. Or else, it becomes receptive to Earth if turned towards it.
Biomagnetism is a significant part of yoga practices. So, the yoga texts say to sit on a non-conductive material for meditation and asanas.
In this meditation posture, the hands have a different role. Mostly, the chin mudra goes with the posture. You can also cross the fingers or palms facing up like the Buddha’s meditation posture seated on a lotus flower.
The palm of hands has a significant role in yoga practices. Our palms and fingers are the transmitters of spiritual power.
Touching all the fingertips together shuts the transmission of energy. Few exercises involving hands require following this step to retain the energy. Unlike other exercises, that expel energy and calories yoga retains the energy. But the energy in yoga is the spiritual and not the energy that involves physical activities.
This form of energy is popular in Reiki healing, the chi energy in the martial arts which are still not a detective to the science.
Yogis use this energy to give blessings with the palms open to the receptor, transmitting the energy. We can see such depicts in Indian ancient paintings and scriptures. This is not only for the yogis, anyone can do this and the laws of nature are the same but the potential of the energy is lower in common people. (see How to Transmit Energy Through Hands )
Sitting in the padmasana posture enhances blood circulation throughout the body. The mind certainly calms down after the bombardment of the sequential thoughts which get slowly eradicated eventually. This makes the mind focus and hence attains concentration easily.
As the padmasana is the most stable posture, the body can remain firm and steady in this state for a long period. The mind also becomes steady and active which will prevent the aspirant from falling asleep or snooze during meditation rather than invoking a deep trance state.
It can bring prolonged stillness to the body. Such as when your body is still your mind becomes still, when your mind is still you find the source where the spiritual quotes ‘be still and that I AM’.
The book “Why Kundalini Meditation So Special?” gives a clear understanding of such practices and a guide for those who seek the path in this field.
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