Any thoughts advantage/disadvantage/preference for the following meditation techniques:
1.) “Shavasana” vs. “Padmasana”, other?
2.) “Eyelids fully shut” vs. “eyelids half-lowered”, other?
I received my diploma of meditation teacher yesterday so now I can give an advice.
I had a question regarding eyes and my reply:
Different school of meditation teaches students different techniques. To sit with close eyes has one weakness, in that we can become sleepy. To sit with open eyes, we have to let go of our distraction of what we see. If we have our eyes open, we do not have images in our mind. Anyway if we sit with open eyes it should be not be staring but done with eyes half closed. I prefer to keep my eyes closed. Somebody who has problems with images should mediate with open eyes as it is taught by Zen.
Regarding a good position for meditation. It should be always said the we can mediate in any position. If you remember it after you will find the best position for yourself with straight spin. I was at Buddhist Abbey, there I learned how to sit on chair. I had wedge on chair. My legs are short so I had mat under feet. I had a small cushion on my lap under my hands. It made my chest more open.
“I received my diploma of meditation teacher yesterday so now I can give an advice”
You can receive infinite diplomas, it is not a substitute for your own direct experience - and without direct experience - all of one’s diplomas are nothing more than intelligent ways to nourish your ego.
“Somebody who has problems with images should mediate with open eyes as it is taught by Zen”
That is not the approach of Zen. In zazen it is common to keep the eyes half open and half closed. This is to help create a balance in mental attitude between relaxation and alertness, as well as limit the sensory input that is received and yet with enough sensory input from the eyes to keep you wakeful.
"Regarding a good position for meditation. It should be always said the we can mediate in any position. "
That may be the case if you have already integrated meditation as something which is just like a lotus emanating it’s fragrance simply because it is it’s nature to do so. If meditation has become such a natural phenomenon of your being, as effortless as your own heartbeat, then whatever posture you are in is irrelevant - one’s meditation continues. Otherwise, one should create a foundation in sitting meditation first. Because while you are involved in activity, the possibility of your becoming entangled is tremendous - the mind can become disturbed by any number of things. One has not yet learned of how to use the activities of the mind and body without becoming a slave to the mind and body. That is why in most cases a solid foundation in sitting meditation is absolutely essential. The idea is to remain physically motionless as a way to help create an inner atmosphere which is supportive to sharpen your attention. Every ripple in the body creates a ripple in the mind, they are inseparable. If you are physically active, your mind tends to be physically active. So - one way to help bring about a certain stillness in the mind in the beginning is to limit your physical activity.
No more thoughts.
ray,
Any thoughts advantage/disadvantage/preference for the following meditation techniques:
“1.) “Shavasana” vs. “Padmasana”, other?”
First, I would like to make it clear that whether shavasana, padmasana, or any other posture - if you have already integrated a meditative consciousness, then it makes no difference. The other thing which is important for one to remember is that it is your inner space which determines your experience. You can remain physically still, and yet with a great storm within yourself. And you can become involved in what appears to be a great storm, and yet completely silent within yourself. You can sit in padmasana or lie down in savasana for eternities - but as long as long as the clinging activity of the mind remains, there is no possibility of silence.
These physical postures were just intended to try and help create an inner atmosphere, they are not a substitute for it. Once this is understood, not just intellectual, but through experience - then you will understand the whole spirit of what a meditative consciousness is.
Savasana is generally not very helpful for entering into meditation. Certainly, it will help you come to a certain relaxation. It will also help cultivate pratyahara (sensory withdrawal). Though it possible to remain meditative in shavasana, it’s intention is for relaxation, not meditation. Because meditation requires not simply relaxation, but a balance between both relaxation and wakefulness. Savasana can be a tremendously relaxing posture, very soothing, it’s whole attitude is that of surrender. Every posture has a certain attitude behind it - and if you can physically perform the posture but without the mental attitude of the posture, then one is not really practicing the posture.
Because your whole mind and body is given to the force of gravity in savasana, it creates changes in your system which are help tremendous relaxation. And as far as meditation is concerned, too much relaxation is a problem. If you become too relaxed, the mind will simply drift off into sleep, and it is not uncommon that many people enter into sleep through savasana. Padmasana is a posture which has been created in such a way, as to bring about this balance between wakefulness and relaxation which is much more supportive for meditation. That is why in the East it has been known as one of the most effective postures for sitting meditation. Because it helps to keep your spine erect, it assists the flow of the life energies throughout your system, particularly the sushumna, which helps to stimulate other nadis and the chakra centers, as well as assist the transfer of electrical signals to the brain.
Meditation techniques are reducing stress and attain peace of mind. The world is not a peaceful place and within every soul there is some form of tension and stress. It is therefore essential to create positive and peaceful thoughts to bring peace to our mind. Meditation is one of the best methods to bring about transformation and nurture the natural qualities within.Shavasana is also known as the corpse pose. Lay flat on your back with your palms facing up and your feet turned outward. This position is used to achieve very deep states of relaxation. While practicing Shavasana, you should focus your mind on relaxing every part of your body completely. Padmasana is otherwise known as the lotus position. Sit on the floor with your back straight and cross your legs, one at a time, placing the top of your left foot on the top of your right thigh with the sole of the foot facing up. Repeat the process with the other leg. Rest your wrists on your knees and close your eyes. Breathe deeply and focus on clearing your mind. Padmasana is used primarily as a meditation position
Meditation and yoga put you into a light trance, which makes you relax and distress. Hypnosis gives the same feeling. check out any hypnosis or meditation videos on you tube, plenty of people post them. Also, check out yoga classes at a YMCA or some other private studios. Sometimes, yoga classes are on TV, check them out. Good luck!