Meditation is the practice of controlling the thoughts in order to make the thought process directed inwards so that the self realization happens and a person becomes guided towards the supreme. It is an excellent form of imparting deep and long lasting relaxation to the entire body and the mind. This is the reason why meditation has immense curative value for the entire system and people suffering with stress related disorders have derived tremendous benefits from the process of meditation.

There are many misconceptions regarding the process of meditation prevailing in the modern day society. These have been dealt with under many different topics. One of the misconceptions is regarding the correct postures that may be utilized during the process of meditation. In the ancient times the practices of meditation had different connotations than what it entails today. The modern practitioner may not necessarily be looking for attainment of Samadhior the final merger into the divine. He may simply be looking for some respite from his stress levels. Or he may be looking for some relief from the ailments he may be suffering from. In the ancient times the concept of Tapasexisted which has perhaps very little or no relevance whatsoever in the modern day society. So the hard practices of the ancient times may not be very significant these days.

There are various postures recommended for the practice of meditation. The most important thing that should be kept in mind is there are no set guidelines for the practice of meditation. In the modern scenario all the ancient practices are being re-interpreted to suit the needs of the modern practitioner. This does not diminish the beneficial aspects of the basic science of meditation. Meditation remains to be utilized as an advantageous and favourable practice for everyone. The basic postures that are regularly recommended for meditation these days are:

The Lotus Posture or Padmasana:

Padmasana is often used as the most recommended posture. This is mainly because in their posture the body is most upright and firmly rooted to the ground. In this posture the person sits in a very symmetrical way. He is like a rock or a mountain rooted to the ground so the energy flow throughout the system is in perfect order. The radiation emanating from the body in this posture is that of assertiveness and positive attitude. This is also the most traditional posture used for meditation.

But in the modern context the body of the people is no longer as flexible as it used to be in the olden days. Sometimes it becomes difficult for the practitioner to sit with the legs crossed for longer durations of time. It is also not recommended for the people who have problems of circulatory system as in this asana the flow of blood to the lower limbs is slowed for a long time. Some people may feel pain in the lower limbs and lower back in if they sit in this position for longer durations of time. People with nervous disorders are not suited to do meditation in this posture. The undue duress caused because of any physical discomfort can unnecessarily obstruct the process of meditation.

Half Lotus Posture:

This is the position where complete Padmasana is not attained. Only one leg is folded and kept on the thigh while the other remains on the ground. The knee is also advised to be kept touching on the ground. This posture is more relaxed than the complete Padmasana and the people for whom sitting in Padmasana is difficult this can be an easier option. This is much more relaxing to the people who suffer from the disorders of the circulatory system and nervous system.

The Burmese Posture:

In this position one leg is folded and touched with the body while the other is kept stretched on the ground in front. This is a more relaxed posture and in this the knees may or may not be touching the ground depending upon the convenience of the practitioner. But if the knees can be trained to be kept on the ground the body becomes more stabilized in this posture. In this posture it is advisable to change the position of the legs after sometime so that the body does not become excessively tired.

The Tailor’s Posture:

In this both the knees are folded and kept near the anus one ahead of the other. This is the extension of the Burmese posture where only one knee is folded and the other leg is kept stretched. This is a posture which is considered to be very good for meditation and a lot of people use it.

Sitting on a Chair:

This is a posture recommended for people who cannot sit on the ground. It is advised to sit on the chair with the legs placed on the ground. The feet should not touch the bare ground to maintain proper energy flow in the body. Care should be taken to keep the back and head straight. The chin and navel should also be kept in a straight line. Many people find this posture very comfortable for sitting for long duration meditation sessions.

It is very important to keep the comfort level of the body in mind no matter which position is chosen for meditation because a person has to sit for long durations of time in this position. Also the process of meditation includes deep concentration and the so the mind should not be cluttered with the thoughts of uneasiness.

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