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TjD
08-15-2001, 07:26 PM
i have a few questions about the lotus position... after meditating about a half hour, my one leg falls asleep (the top leg)

its kinda annoying because well after i get up i cant move that leg for awhile and i get those annoying pins and needles :) the other leg however is fine

am i sitting wrong, or do i just need to practice more so i get more relaxed and flexible?

what i've been doing is one leg on top for a half hour, then switching legs and another half hour
any longer than that and my leg falling asleep is just too annoying to continue

any suggestions?

peace & thanks
trav

Receive what comes, Escort what leaves, and if there is an opening, rush in

Scott R. Brown
08-15-2001, 09:10 PM
TjD,

Yes, increasing your flexibility will help, however any position held for an extended period of time will cause physical discomfort. It is not necessary to mediate from the lotus position, regardless of what others may say. Many meditate from the lotus position because of romantic notions. What is most important is comfort. If you are uncomfortable, it will distract you from your purpose. Second in importance is spinal alignment. It is preferable to have your spine str

Scott R. Brown
08-15-2001, 09:26 PM
TjD,

Yes, increasing your flexibility will help, however any position held for an extended period of time will cause physical discomfort. It is not necessary to mediate from the lotus position, regardless of what others may say. Many meditate from the lotus position because of romantic notions. What is most important is comfort. If you are uncomfortable, it will distract you from your purpose. Second in importance is spinal alignment. It is preferable to have your spine straight, however if it is not straight for some reason as long as you are comfortable that is fine. It is not important whether you are standing, sitting, sitting in a chair or recliner or lying down. Meditation is a mental exercise not a physical exercise, any position that is comfortable is acceptable. There are a number of Chan Buddhist’s that have been noted for their unconventional meditation methods. Many would just lie down when they got tired. The idea is to do what comes natural to you. Change positions as necessary. Meditation is not an exercise in toughness. You may also try the cross-legged position or the half lotus. Also, look at your leg structure. I happen to be bow legged; the lotus position causes dangerous stresses to my knee joints regardless of my flexibility.

I hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Scott

TjD
08-15-2001, 09:38 PM
yeah, ive tried half-lotus and cross legged, but neither really give me the comfort or stability of full-lotus

when i sit in half lotus i feel like im leaning to oneside and misaligned, and not very stable
when i sit crosslegged my spine feels straight, but i feel very unstable

i tried some other position - i cant remember the name but my legs didnt cross on top of each other, basically the whole side of the leg was on the ground in a position like this:

===
/
0

where the 0 is my body - this makes my legs feel kinda strange tho so i tried switching to full-lotus :)


i guess ill stick with full-lotus and stretch a bit more.. i've found that full-lotus has helped my knees a bit by stretching them out - which is a good benefit ;)

concentrating through a tingling leg will probably help the concentration meditation i'm working on anyhow

thanks a lot!
travis

Receive what comes, Escort what leaves, and if there is an opening, rush in

TjD
08-15-2001, 09:39 PM
my little drawing came out really horrible :)

oh well...

Receive what comes, Escort what leaves, and if there is an opening, rush in

Nexus
08-16-2001, 12:17 AM
Cool drawing! Also Scott, once again you have given great advice to the forum.
- Nexus

Freedom is what you do with what is done to you. - Sartres

Scott R. Brown
08-16-2001, 12:40 AM
TjD,

It is probably a flexibility problem. Do not get stuck thinking you have to sit on the floor. Use a chair or a recliner if it makes you more comfortable. As another alternative, try pulling the heal of one foot as close to your perineum as possible and the other foot just in front of it. If that does not work, I would stick to chair sitting or lying down. A little green tea should help you keep from falling asleep.

Nexus, I am sending you and e-mail soon so check your mail.

Sincerely,

Scott

prana
08-16-2001, 02:14 AM
for extra reading pleasure.

Your thought wanders as you move your body (as winds and mind are carried hand in hand). Emphasis is sometimes towards moving slowly (if need to move) to prevent disturbing the mind, and not to provoke sudden movements during meditation.

Just stretch out and relax for a few moments in pins and needles and go back into meditation, slowly and mindfully. Although I have also found after prolonged sitting in a full lotus, it is very difficult to sit for another hour without excruciating pain after relaxing for a few minutes... but I have read although the full lotus is recommended (to maintain stability like a pyramid) it is most important to keep your back straight (as yogins say "straight as an arrow") to allow the winds to penetrate the central psychic nerve. But do so in a relaxed, unforceful manner. But anyways, this is what I was taught, keep your ideas open...

What meditation do you practise, TjD ? From what you are saying, you practise a sort of concentrating on a point ? Just curious.

Medicine Buddha
om namo bhagawate hekandzyai - guru bendurya prabha randzaya - tatagataya - arhate - samyaksam buddhaya - tayata om bhekandzyai bhekandzyai - maha bhekandzyai bhekandzyai -randza samungate soha

Repulsive Monkey
08-16-2001, 10:28 AM
I have found continued physical distress with full Lotus position, and I have to say by my understanding from particular Rinpoche it is not absolutely necessary. Consider Maitreya (the coming Buddha), he is always seated seated on a chair legs squarely apart. It is considered that one can sucessfullt meditate sitting as long as the spine is head erect and the head-top suspended.Maintain the principles not the asthetics.

TjD
08-16-2001, 03:44 PM
i'm meditating on holding a picture in my mind - i LOVE this... it sets my vision against my concentration :) i never knew my eyes could be so distracting; its one thing to concentrate on a picture with your eyes closed, but to concentrate on seeing something with your eyes open... its a good practice

i also do normal mindful meditation ala the breathing sutra

its hard to fit in an hour of concentration meditation along with kung fu and mindfulness meditation every day :) but i manage somehow ;)

i cant wait for the school year to start so im not working 40 hours a week... ill have more free time then


also last night i tried doing the lotus position a little different, with my feet resting closer to my knees on my thighs - my legs didnt fall asleep... so now i have stability and comfort without my legs bothering me :) i think i'll stick with this position

thanks for all the advice everyone

peace
travis

Receive what comes, Escort what leaves, and if there is an opening, rush in