27/11/2023
Body posture in meditation – Sitting upright versus laying down?
Meditation is about becoming more awake, clearer, more aware and more focused within.
Laying down can encourage sleepiness, so I recommend that you begin your meditations sitting upright. Sit in a way that is comfortable enough for your body to not distract you. For some people in the early days of learning meditation, they may need to practice for some time before their body gets used to sitting upright. For others it will seem easy and natural. If you have back or body problems, take care of your body the way that you know best.
Another frequently asked question is: “Do I need to sit in the lotus position when in meditation?”
My answer is this:
When we sit straight upright with our legs crossed and our fingers in the ‘Mudrah’ position it can encourage ‘kundalini’ energy to flow more freely through the body, which in turn can help us reach deeper states of consciousness over time. However, in my experience many people attain this flow of energy while meditating in many different positions too. It is better to sit upright and comfortably to be able to go deep, rather than to try to sit in a lotus position and be distracted by trying to sit in a certain “correct” way.
Simply sit normally and trust what feels right for you at different times during your meditations. As your meditation progresses and during longer periods of meditation, you may need to move or change your body position or posture. This could include an array of movement ranging from subtle to extravagant. At times it might feel accurate to lay down for periods. Have no rigid concepts about how meditation should be practiced, or what the body should be doing. Be open minded and find your own way with your body and posture during meditation.
All the best for your meditation journey!
