Using Cushions and Mats in Your Sitting Posture Meditation

Is it necessary to do a sitting posture meditation?

Well, it's not. Meditation is a state of mind, not a posture. If your mind is free from distractions and you know you have a thought while thinking it, then you are meditating. It's as simple as that. You can be eating, talking, dancing, or even sleeping (many great meditation masters preferred sleeping hours over their waking time to train the mind in meditation). But, before you sink into your comfortable armchair, you must examine your mind first - is it relaxed, open, aware, and concentrated? or is it just spacing out?

Sitting posture meditation, whether on a chair or cushion, is a way to create good conditions in your body for the meditation to happen. 

Using a cushion in a sitting posture meditation 

Using a cushion is more than just a comfort aid; it's a posture supporter for meditation, allowing you to tilt the pelvis forward and maintain the natural curvature of your spine, which ensures that your body is in the correct posture. Prolonged sessions can become uncomfortable. When sitting on a cushion instead of a chair, the legs are crossed on the floor, which can create pressure on the legs and cause some discomfort or pain.

physical and mental support

Cushions, in my view, contribute to the mental readiness for meditation practice - it's always there, resting evenly on a nice mat as if adorning the floor with the potential for patience and durability.

It also has a soothing effect on the agitated mind wishing to avoid any discomfort as if saying: No worries, you can have a good sitting posture meditation, and it won't hurt. 

Prolonged sessions can become uncomfortable. When sitting on a cushion instead of a chair, the legs are crossed on the floor, which can create pressure on the legs and cause discomfort or pain, so using a mat or cushion can help.

So, starting your journey of knowing your mind through meditation is best done on the floor or a chair rather than on your favorite armchair or lying down in your bed. Sitting posture meditation is best done with a cushion to support a comfortable sitting posture. If you don't have one dedicated cushion at home, use two or as many cushions as you need, one on top of the other. If you want to purchase a cushion, you can check out the options.