Zazen - Posture - Dharma Rain Zen Center

Zazen

Posture

zafu on zobuton The postures used for zazen teach our bodies how to be still, and slowly the mind catches on to this stillness. The postures expresse stability and acceptance. However, meditation does not depend on any conditions, physical or otherwise, so it is not necessary to use any particular posture. Part of the practice is maintaining the mind of meditation throughout daily life, when we move through many postures besides traditional sitting poses.

It is normal to feel discomfort sometimes while meditating. There is a balance between taking care of one’s physical and psychological needs, and avoiding any discomfort. There is no need to strain for a posture, or cause injury; respect the requirements and needs of your unique body. Experiment to find what positions can be held comfortably for the longest time. Over time, bodies change; what used to be comfortable will no longer work, and other variations become possible. Zazen is a constant discovery of what it means to sit and meditate.

On the other hand, it is important to recognize the difference between pain that could be damaging, and discomfort that may be expressing tension or aversion. Especially in the beginning of meditation practice, discomfort is common as the body adapts to unfamiliar poses. Although it may seem difficult at first, developing good meditation posture is valuable; over time there will be fewer problems if you begin with a good posture.

Physical discomfort is also a common expression of our resistance to what we find in our minds. Watching our minds can make us uncomfortable, and the physical position becomes an excuse to distract ourselves by shifting position or abandoning the meditation. Finding a balance between taking care of our needs and disciplining our wayward tendencies is key to meditation practice.

 

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