Meditation Positions or "I'm old and my knees hurt"

[Northernbuck]

I really do want to sit in a cross legged position for hours on end and meditate; however I (or more specifically, my knees) last 10 minutes. Other than a walking meditation, is there another position that I can use where I am not using the pain in my knees as a meditation focus as Ven. Gunaratana suggests? With Metta
B.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Northernbuck,

Do you have any aversion towards sitting in a chair?

Metta,
Retro.

[bodom]

Sitting hours hours on end and meditating is not possible for most people except for the exceptional few who can enter into deep states of concentration. Take it slow and experiment with different postures. Try using a bench or sitting in a chair. Take it slow and try sitting for just 20 minutes if you can. Its important to remember though that whatever posture you take, if you sit long enough pain will eventually arise. This is the nature of the body. The key is to not let the mind be pained along with the body.Gunaratana is not saying to use pain as your main focus. Pain is to be treated as a secondary focus. Watch the pain as it arises, peaks and then fades away. If the pain is too severe you may have to move but dont move at the first instance of pain. Push your self a little. You will be amazed at what you can sit through with patience and not automatically react. If you have medical issues sitting may not be an option. Keep in mind many monks have become enlightened on the walking path.

[Goofaholix]

There's nothing wrong with sitting in a chair or kneeling on a bench or cushion, as long as your back is straight and unsupported.

It is worthwhile developing a cross legged posture if you can is then it will be a way of your body to tell your mind that now is the time for meditation, but you have to be realistic considering your age and physicality.

This video has a good series of stretches you can do http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS6ju33eeow I did a similar routine every day for a month and haven't looked back since, but there is nothing wrong if you find you're not up to it and use other postures.

[Cittasanto]

Besides the advice already given there are four postures, Sitting, Standing, Walking, and lying down.

so maybe experiment with the each?

as already mentioned the sitting posture doesn't need to be done crossed legged, you can use a cussion or stool to support your weight, or even a chair, but if you decide to buy one shop arround you don't wan't to buy a £70 bench to find a £35 one later which is just as good for a trial purpose.

[Northernbuck]

Hello Friends,
After doing some stretches and no thinking about my knees, I was able to sit cross legged for a half hour without any pain (my foot fell asleep at the end). I did discover that it is proper posture that helps as well. I became conscious of how I was sitting. I also added another cushion and did not slouch (a bad habit that I have). Many thanks for all the suggestions and guidance.

With Metta

B.