Chair vs. Lotus or Padmasana

The argument against lotus position I have heard is that it does not allow the K-1 bubbling springs to be in contact with the earth, thereby cutting off the entire legs from earth qi and causing it to enter the body through the perineum in a raw and unrefined form. It goes against the idea that humans were designed to be the mediators between heaven and earth; heaven being the undivided (1-entering through the head) and earth being the divided physical form (2-entering through the feet). From what I have heard, One cloud, who came from the 5 Interior Gods school of Nei Dan practiced sitting on a chair in a windowless room of his house in the mountains outside Hong Kong.

Daoists I have encountered at Huashan (modern Quanzhen practitioners) sit in lotus or half-lotus position. Then again Chen Tuan practiced in sleeping position according to statues made of him. Most temple figures in Chengdu and Xi’an in caves are seated on a chair.

How about the cosmic sex between earth and heaven? I prefer sitting with my feet on the ground, seated in a chair with palmss resting on the knees; at a greater kan and li retreat I had the experience of having the sensation of my physical body completely dissolving in this position. I personally prefer the rooting into the earth, and connection with heaven this method allows.

Maybe you could elaborate on how the lotus position provides “more rest for the glands” as opposed to other sitting positions?

As far as crossing of yin and yang is concerned, that depends on what level you are working on; if you want to cross the yin-yang regulator channels, fine, you are working on a horizontal axis of the physical body. The energetic connection between earth and heaven allows for a vertical exchange between earth and heaven through the core channel, so it really comes down to what level you prefer to work on.

I would also question whether it is really healthy to stay in a lotus position for a long time. It seems to be another case of “deny the physical body because all physicality is suffering”.

Spyrelx,

Don’t let the over disection of sitting or seated postures guilt you one bit. The most important thing on the basic level is to be able to practice a effective meditation without pain, numbness or distraction. Obviously alignment of the spine is important, relaxation of the mind, body and breath I found to be core basic goals.

All postures have there purpose but ultimately effectiveness of practice for your situation more important. I from time to time visit many Temples and see a variant of pads, benches, and mini chairs these days. I think variety is good so we can compare for ourselves and gives us freedoom to explore.

If Zazen is the position of choice, utilize it so you can enter the “Zone”. There is no absolute Verdict on this issue, except for the quality and stillness of your practice & enjoyment.

On a side note, I found that effective Awareness/Mindfullness practice is essential for being able to enter into effective & fullfilling practice of other practice’s such as in Inner Alchemy, where you might be in a practice period for extended time periods. Have you ever Meditated in a group where people are constantly restless, or swishing around, alot of times there posture is all wrong for there physical capability.

Correct, in my classes for relax yoga i am getting lots of people with physical problems I use cushions, little benches, even the wall to get their spines upright, I order them to listen to their needs and use any tool that feels right for their body. I give exercises to stretch their legs and hips in order to sit with crossed legs or even in seiza position. Some people have real disorders and sit upright on a chair or little bench.