Sitting posture in Thai tradition

[bodom]

Is it ok to use a meditation bench in the Thai Buddhist tradition? From what i have seen sitting on the floor cross legged with right leg on top of left is the standard posture for men and is what is recommended. Do thai's use meditation benches? At my local Wat all the thai's sit on the floor with a thin mat and i have yet to see a bench being used. I have trouble sitting past 40 minutes cross legged on the floor but can sit for much longer on a bench. I think i have circulation problems as my leg falls asleep everytime. Im thinking of using a bench when sitting for long periods and sitting cross legged for shorter periods or should i just get used to sitting cross legged? Thanks!

[clw_uk]

Just use whatever is best for you, if a bench means you can sit longer then use it. I used to think I must sit a certain way and would force myself even though it was quite uncomfortable but then I started to try a few different positions before finding the right one (burmese position).

Remember it is important what you do with your mind in mediation, not so much the body.

[mikenz66]

Hi BBB,

I wouldn't worry about it. Thai people have often spent a lot of time sitting on the ground like that, so they are used to it. Do whatever you need to do to be able to sit. Personally I use some hard cushions. For me, the important thing is stability. A retired (non-Thai) meditator I know laments that he now has to use a bench, due to knee problems, and he finds it less satisfactory than a cushion.

I've heard several Western monks warn that they wrecked their knees sitting for long periods on concrete floors when they went to Thailand, so whatever you do, don't do anything to damage yourself...

Mike

[Cittasanto]

the monestary I go to in Warwick is in the thai Forest Tradition and they have no problem with the use of cussions or benches there

[jcsuperstar]

how do you wreck your knees?
i dont get it... it doesnt seem like sitting cross legged should cause long term damage... idk, i sit like that all the time though, on my lap top, while reading, back when i watched tv...

[mikenz66]

how do you wreck your knees?

I imagine by applying sideways pressure to the knee joint, when various muscles are still too tight to allow the hips to flex properly.

Metta
Mike

[mountain]

Use whatever you need to support yourself and keep the spine properly in line. Pins and needles are usually not related to poor circulation. Most bodily disturbances will eventually yield to continued practice. Many people as well as myself experienced multiple areas of discomfort in the beginning You can let let your developing awareness guide you. But be aware that the subtle tensions do in the long run produce future physical problems if any. Years ago often being the only western person when I was learning it seemed more important to do what the others were doing. Happily things have relaxed a lot.
Now I employ a zafu and zabuton. Perhaps one day a chair.

[GrahamR]

Is it ok to use a meditation bench in the Thai Buddhist tradition? From what i have seen sitting on the floor cross legged with right leg on top of left is the standard posture for men and is what is recommended. Do thai's use meditation benches? At my local Wat all the thai's sit on the floor with a thin mat and i have yet to see a bench being used. I have trouble sitting past 40 minutes cross legged on the floor but can sit for much longer on a bench. I think i have circulation problems as my leg falls asleep everytime. Im thinking of using a bench when sitting for long periods and sitting cross legged for shorter periods or should i just get used to sitting cross legged? Thanks!

Hi
In some Thai traditions you kneel, hopefully on a mat. I do that. After about 20-30 minutes my feet and legs do go to sleep, but that doesn't really matter, I can still meditate like that. The problem arsies when I stop and try to walk away!
With Metta
Graham

[nathan]

There are simply physical limits to what makes sense for each individual. If you are sitting like this you can examine the sensation with a focus on the tension in the legs and observe what is involved in producing or easing that tension. It can be instructive as a great deal of discomfort in the body is regardless of the posture. The overall discomfort from prolonged sitting builds up especially where the tension is and so it appears to increase and it will continue to be like this until we see where there is clinging and how the grasping or aversion is expressed physically and this is one kind of discomfort that can be much reduced and even let go of by carefully examining where and how it arises and passes.