Posture for meditation

Overview

Relaxation and meditation are not the same thing. It is a good idea to relax the body before beginning the work of meditation. If you or your students fall asleep, then they are relaxing, not meditating. It is for this reason that lying down is not a posture for meditation. It is recommended that participants sit with straight backs- either on a chair or on the floor, possibly against a wall.

It is not necessary for simple meditation or Christian meditation to assume poses such as the lotus position used in some Buddhist meditation. A straight back, either sitting on the floor or a chair, with hands resting comfortably in the lap or joined in prayer, is sufficient. If in a chair, one’s feet should be able to touch the ground.

Teachers may prefer to have two or more “postures”- namely, seated on a chair at students’ desks and a prayer circle where they sit on the floor.

Assuming the posture for Meditation

Say:

Let us prepare for the work of meditation by assuming the posture for meditating. Sit straight in your chair, with your feet touching the ground. Move around a little until you “fit” into your chair and all parts of your body are comfortable. If any parts of your body need rubbing or scratching, do that now.

Place your hands in your lap or on your desk- wherever they can rest without your having to move them for several minutes. If you are using beads, hold them in your hands now.

Close your eyes and begin to slow your breathing, using a mantra if you have chosen one. Today we are going to meditate in stillness and silence for ……minutes. I will sound the chimes three times to begin and three times to end.

Let us begin the work of meditation.

(Sound chime)