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Seat |
The classic picture of a Yogi or a Buddhist has him sitting in a pose of cross-legged serenity. The
American Indians sat cross-legged, so we are told, before the Europeans introduced chairs.
Chairs get a lot of flack. They are blamed for poor posture, circulatory problems and laziness.
Couches are worse, or better, depending on one's point of view.
In his interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, A Book of Psychedelic Prayer, Timothy Leary paints a
contrast:
No prizes for guessing which of these two poses is getting the nod of approval. Before we dismiss
the chair altogether, let's reflect on why chairs were invented, or why they evolved. They've been
around for a long time. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans had chairs of various sorts.
In Europe, it wasn't until the sixteenth century that the use of chairs became common. Before
that people sat on benches, stools or chests. In China, people sat or knelt on the floor or on mats
until contact with Western culture during the seventh and eighth centuries led to the use of the
chair.
Several reasons for the invention of chairs come to mind:
If we are discussing meditation, or prayer, there is no absolute dictum concerning the position of
the one so engaged. Altered states of consciousness can be achieved while sitting or kneeling on a
mat, a floor or the ground, in a chair or a pew, standing, walking, swimming, climbing or flying.
However, deep introspection in some positions or activities can also lead to stumbling, falling and
distraction. Driving on a freeway or swimming in deep water are probably not good times to
achieve any kind of trance or samadhi.
Ordinarily, those who practice techniques that lead to altered states do so in a sitting or kneeling
position. There are, of course, many exceptions. Aborigines were said to spend a lot of time
standing on one leg. Whirling dervishes dance their way into ecstasy, as did some of the tribes of
American Indians.
In Yoga, the sequence of Asanas includes standing, moving and balancing exercises such as the
Sun Salutation, Peacock, Crow and Lord Nataraja. A session of Hatha Yoga always ends with
the Corpse Posture, a position of deep relaxation in which the Yogi lies flat on his back and
systematically relaxes every part of his body in gentle symmetry. Although this is indeed a pose
that can work well for meditation, it also works well for falling asleep.
Prolonged meditation requires a certain alertness. In Yoga, the accumulated experience of
centuries of adepts has led to the evolution of the Lotus pose, as well as several other cross-legged
positions.
The Lotus has a lot going for it, mystical considerations aside. When one becomes used to it, it is
actually fairly comfortable, at least for awhile.
American Indians sat cross-legged, so we are told, before the Europeans introduced chairs.
Chairs get a lot of flack. They are blamed for poor posture, circulatory problems and laziness.
Couches are worse, or better, depending on one's point of view.
In his interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, A Book of Psychedelic Prayer, Timothy Leary paints a
contrast:
"Rest serene,
Seated on sacred ground,
Or tilt,
Propped up by wire and sticks."
No prizes for guessing which of these two poses is getting the nod of approval. Before we dismiss
the chair altogether, let's reflect on why chairs were invented, or why they evolved. They've been
around for a long time. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans had chairs of various sorts.
In Europe, it wasn't until the sixteenth century that the use of chairs became common. Before
that people sat on benches, stools or chests. In China, people sat or knelt on the floor or on mats
until contact with Western culture during the seventh and eighth centuries led to the use of the
chair.
Several reasons for the invention of chairs come to mind:
- cleanliness: The floors in many ancient homes, whether castle or hovel, were filthy. In cold
weather they were frequently covered with a thick layer of straw for warmth and general
coziness. The fire hazard of a floor covered with straw is extreme. Table scraps, animal
droppings and the micturation of children and drunks added to the mess which would finally
be raked out when warmer weather arrived and applied to the garden for compost. Stools
and chairs allowed folks to sit above this filth. Even in warmer weather the floor was the
repository for dirt of every sort. - comfort: It's just easier to sit on something. In primitive settings, we readily find seats on
logs, boulders, shelves of rock, tree limbs, saddles, knees and laps. As folks get older,
heavier, weaker and more frail, it can get harder and harder to lower oneself all the way to
the ground or the floor, and even harder to get back up. Chairs and stools become the path
of least resistance. - prominence: Long before commoners became used to sitting in chairs, the throne or
cathedra would be occupied by the dominant one, the king, the bishop, the high priest, the
baron or the head of the household. - decadence: In the past, in many cultures, the ones who could get away with it would have
themselves borne on the shoulders of slaves. The sedans and litters carried by porters
ranged from simple chairs or couches on poles to enclosed opulent chambers of luxury. - disability: The modern wheelchair is the paragon of this sort of seat which originated with
primitive slings and stretchers. - transportation: Riders have sat for millennia on the backs of burros, horses, camels and
elephants. The technology ranged from bareback to ornate saddles. With the discovery of
the wheel, chariots and wagons were quick to follow. The ancient warriors may have stood
in their chariots. Wagons were used to haul freight. At first the human would lead the team,
but on longer journeys he learned to sit up on top of the load. Eventually, wheeled vehicles
came equipped with benches, enclosed coaches and cabs. Nowadays we all have cars and
trucks, and we all ride about on our butts like the nobility of the old times.
If we are discussing meditation, or prayer, there is no absolute dictum concerning the position of
the one so engaged. Altered states of consciousness can be achieved while sitting or kneeling on a
mat, a floor or the ground, in a chair or a pew, standing, walking, swimming, climbing or flying.
However, deep introspection in some positions or activities can also lead to stumbling, falling and
distraction. Driving on a freeway or swimming in deep water are probably not good times to
achieve any kind of trance or samadhi.
Ordinarily, those who practice techniques that lead to altered states do so in a sitting or kneeling
position. There are, of course, many exceptions. Aborigines were said to spend a lot of time
standing on one leg. Whirling dervishes dance their way into ecstasy, as did some of the tribes of
American Indians.
In Yoga, the sequence of Asanas includes standing, moving and balancing exercises such as the
Sun Salutation, Peacock, Crow and Lord Nataraja. A session of Hatha Yoga always ends with
the Corpse Posture, a position of deep relaxation in which the Yogi lies flat on his back and
systematically relaxes every part of his body in gentle symmetry. Although this is indeed a pose
that can work well for meditation, it also works well for falling asleep.
Prolonged meditation requires a certain alertness. In Yoga, the accumulated experience of
centuries of adepts has led to the evolution of the Lotus pose, as well as several other cross-legged
positions.
The Lotus has a lot going for it, mystical considerations aside. When one becomes used to it, it is
actually fairly comfortable, at least for awhile.
The Lotus pose (padmasan) is achieved by
carefully placing your right foot on your
left thigh, sole upward, and close to the hip.
Then bring in your left foot and place it on
your right thigh as shown.
Stability is one quality of this asana that
becomes readily apparent after doing it for
awhile. You probably won't fall over.
More than that, your whole posture is
drawn into a relaxed yet tense symmetry.
Rest your hands, palms up, on your knees.
This is an attitude of repose and acceptance.
With repeated practice you will be able to
let your thighs rest flat on the mat. Don't
slouch. Keep your back erect, head high
and shoulders relaxed..
carefully placing your right foot on your
left thigh, sole upward, and close to the hip.
Then bring in your left foot and place it on
your right thigh as shown.
Stability is one quality of this asana that
becomes readily apparent after doing it for
awhile. You probably won't fall over.
More than that, your whole posture is
drawn into a relaxed yet tense symmetry.
Rest your hands, palms up, on your knees.
This is an attitude of repose and acceptance.
With repeated practice you will be able to
let your thighs rest flat on the mat. Don't
slouch. Keep your back erect, head high
and shoulders relaxed..
When engaging in breathing exercises
(pranayama) or longer meditations, the
Lotus can become uncomfortable.
Shown to the right is a variation of the
Adept's pose (siddhasan). A purist
might want to see my left foot and ankle
placed on my right calf, but I find it
works quite well with both feet, ankles
and shins flat on the mat.
This pose is very comfortable, and
allows one to concentrate without being
distracted by pain or numbness of the
lower extremities.
(pranayama) or longer meditations, the
Lotus can become uncomfortable.
Shown to the right is a variation of the
Adept's pose (siddhasan). A purist
might want to see my left foot and ankle
placed on my right calf, but I find it
works quite well with both feet, ankles
and shins flat on the mat.
This pose is very comfortable, and
allows one to concentrate without being
distracted by pain or numbness of the
lower extremities.
Kneeling (vajrasan) is a classic pose for prayer and
meditation. In Japan, kneeling was for a long time
more common than sitting. It may sill be so among
some.
In Christian traditions, getting on your knees is a
common prelude to prayer and supplication. For
those who were raised this way, kneeling can
produce different results as an adult. If your years
as a young Christian were marked by stress, forced
attendance, disbelief and hypocrisy, then getting on
your knees now might only produce feelings of
anxiety.
meditation. In Japan, kneeling was for a long time
more common than sitting. It may sill be so among
some.
In Christian traditions, getting on your knees is a
common prelude to prayer and supplication. For
those who were raised this way, kneeling can
produce different results as an adult. If your years
as a young Christian were marked by stress, forced
attendance, disbelief and hypocrisy, then getting on
your knees now might only produce feelings of
anxiety.
If, however, your memories of early church and devotion are mellow and nostalgic, then the
position can be just right for you to find deep intensity in your meditation.
The kneeling pose is also said to stimulate the production of alpha brain waves.
position can be just right for you to find deep intensity in your meditation.
The kneeling pose is also said to stimulate the production of alpha brain waves.
| A variation that can lend itself to an expression of deep humility is to lean forward, while in the kneeling position, allowing your head to rest on the mat with your hands on either side. This position is also used in Islamic devotion |
The Easy pose (sukhasan) is often
entirely adequate for practices such
as breathing and meditation, as well
as ordinary activities like,
conversation, reading, eating or
enjoying entertainment.
A curious irony is that, in the long
run, the Easy pose is not that easy.
It is subject to pain, cramps,
numbness and "falling asleep" or
"pins and needles."
entirely adequate for practices such
as breathing and meditation, as well
as ordinary activities like,
conversation, reading, eating or
enjoying entertainment.
A curious irony is that, in the long
run, the Easy pose is not that easy.
It is subject to pain, cramps,
numbness and "falling asleep" or
"pins and needles."
Somewhere in the past I heard this little adage: Never stand when you can sit; never sit when you
can lie down. I think that it may have originated as a warning to keep a low profile during gun
battles. In ordinary life the quip does express a certain amount of truth and wisdom, so long as
one does not take it too far. There are plenty of occasions when it's better to sit than to lie down,
and lots of times when it's better to be on your feet than sitting.
In the practice of Yoga, especially Hatha, we are frequently reminded to relax. Maintaining
unnecessary tension in our body parts can lead to chronic pain and discomfort.
During meditation, however, it is important to stay alert. Sleeping and meditating are different
procedures. Hopefully all of the exercises to promote flexibility and relaxation will leave your
system in a state wherein you are not distracted by the pairs of opposites, the ups and downs, ins
and outs, hots and colds, backs and forths and all of the dimensions that compose our familiar
universe.
Meditation can be a real attention-getter; try not to fall asleep in the middle of it.
Another of the pairs of opposites that can be distractions is inhalation and exhalation.
can lie down. I think that it may have originated as a warning to keep a low profile during gun
battles. In ordinary life the quip does express a certain amount of truth and wisdom, so long as
one does not take it too far. There are plenty of occasions when it's better to sit than to lie down,
and lots of times when it's better to be on your feet than sitting.
In the practice of Yoga, especially Hatha, we are frequently reminded to relax. Maintaining
unnecessary tension in our body parts can lead to chronic pain and discomfort.
During meditation, however, it is important to stay alert. Sleeping and meditating are different
procedures. Hopefully all of the exercises to promote flexibility and relaxation will leave your
system in a state wherein you are not distracted by the pairs of opposites, the ups and downs, ins
and outs, hots and colds, backs and forths and all of the dimensions that compose our familiar
universe.
Meditation can be a real attention-getter; try not to fall asleep in the middle of it.
Another of the pairs of opposites that can be distractions is inhalation and exhalation.
| Yoga for Carnivores by Jay Dyck |