Sitting meditation is probably the most common approach to meditation. Most who dive into meditation without any classes or formal training will either instinctively, or because they have been exposed to countless images of devotees in lotus position, start by sitting with legs crossed, spine erect and hands cupped center (or resting on the knees).
Sitting meditation seems pretty straightforward— you just sit. It makes perfect sense. For some however, sitting meditation is a science, complete with a number of specific postures and instructions on what one might focus on (or not focus on) while siting and meditating. The Zen tradition is a good example, for it's fairly well-known seated meditation practices Zazen and Shikantaza. Shikantaza is a form of Zazen meditation that focuses on the non-doing aspect of meditation.
Those meditating in the sitting position often sit for an extended period and employ meditation pillows, meditation cushions, meditation benches, and meditation stools in their practice. These are all added to keep the body in good posture and as free from tension as possible while meditating over time.
Sitting Meditation Interviews
I have had the pleasure of interviewing both teachers and practitioners whose preferred (or most often practiced) approach to meditation is sitting practice, most of them in the Zen tradition. Like all of the interviews on this site, they are rich with "how to" information while offering individual and direct experience complete with the traps and pitfalls as well as the growth and breakthroughs. All of the interviews conducted for this site are done by email. Interviews with individuals who practice meditation offer genuine insights into the practice. If you practice sitting meditation, please consider sharing your story by participating in a meditation interview.
Types and Forms of Meditation
Although sitting meditation is by far the most popular and well known when you consider the many types of meditation, other forms include standing meditation, walking meditation, bowing meditation, and kneeling meditation. These forms focus on the position and activity (or inactivity) of the body. Other forms of meditation, less associated with the body's position (though activity-related) are breathing meditation, mindfulness meditation, koan practice, empty mind meditation, insight meditation, and tantra meditation.
With the multitude of forms and approaches, one might ask what meditation is, or even what is the point of meditation. Practically anything can become a form of meditation, including surfing as meditation, art and drawing as meditation, running as meditation, life as meditation, and guided relaxation-style meditations on CD or DVD. Anything can be meditative.
Ask Questions about Meditation
If you have any nagging questions in regard to any practice of meditation, please consider posing them to this blog at this link: questions about meditation.
Thank you for visiting meditationhow.info.
