Wanted: Help Sitting In Lotus Posture...

[metisdead]

Moved to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao forum per OP request.

[IsaanUSA]

sure, you'll be stiff after a run next morning so thats normal.... when you run i recommend warming up just by either walking or slow joggin first and then do some light stretches maybe after a mile or two, but only 5-10 second holds then do your run and do a much bigger and longer stretch afterwards, this way you'll get rid of any lactic acid and won't ache as much when you come to try sitting cross legged next time... and drink plenty of water afterwards which also helps keep away cramps and aches... eating high alkaline foods help too like leafy dark greens especially...

What the heck?

I assume your reply was pointed at me. The point of my post was to advise people to warm up their muscles because it will help your flexibility which should make getting into the lotus position easier.

[Rooo]

I am a bit confused. Why ask for this topic to be moved to Koh Samui forum , when you are asking for someone in Chiang Mai ?

[cooked]

I used to take at least 30 minutes of preparatory exercises before being able to get into the lotus. I would then slowly bring my breathing cycle down to one a minute, which seemed only possible in this position. 45 minutes or so before I could start meditation! My knees are shot, due to hard labour so I haven't been there for a long time.

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[johntren]

As a newcomer to this forum I’m diffident about mentioning religion, and if it’s a no-no please tell me, but still, I wondered if the OP might take comfort from this:

The Blessed One [buddha] saw Ven. Cula Panthaka sitting not far away, his legs crossed, his body held erect, with mindfulness established to the fore. Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion exclaimed:

With steady

body,

with steady

awareness,

whether standing, sitting, or lying down,

a monk determined on mindfulness

gains one distinction

after

another.

Having gained one distinction

after

another,

he goes where the King of Death

can't

see.

(my italics)

("Panthaka Sutta: About Cula Panthaka" (Ud 5.10),

translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Access to Insight,
9 July 2010, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/ud/ud.5.10.than.html.)

For what it’s worth, the Buddha usually suggested meditating ‘with legs crossed and body upright,’ without elaboration. However, in my own, very modest experience, lying down tends to lead to 8 hours of very blissful meditation indeed

Personally, I sit upright on a hard chair, keeping my back straight. This works for me. YMMV.

[Rooo]

Moved back to Chiang Mai forum.

[Rama]

I agree with one of the first comments by the Buddhist monk. In the east children learn to squat from an early age, their leg tendons, leg viens develop slightly differently than western children who never squat. The body can make these adjustments when very young; but once in place or not in place, the effect is permanent. Most westerners have problems with any kind of a lotus position as a consequence. When I was in my 20s, I could do a full lotus, but could only stay that way for 10-15 minutes. I am in my 60s and I can comfortably sit in a half lotus for extended periods of time. But even this takes daily practice over many years. I have met many elderly monks who no longer sit in a full or even a half lotus anymore. Some can no longer even sit on the floor. Although Buddha is shown in a full lotus many times, remember that he did his spiritual austerities when he was young.

The best advice is to sit in a position that leaves the spine free, without weight on it, and learning to breath rthymically, getting control of the breath. Lying down is ok, except most people fall asleep when they lie down and try to meditate........