Sitting vs. Lying

[Gem]

Originally Posted by Christian

Hey everybody!
Christian here. Just wondering whether you prefer sitting to laying and why. I prefer laying because I can get more relaxed when I lay. I know that sitting is technically better, but don't understand why. Please explain?

A Thousand Blessings,
Christian

I think sitting is good because it brings aches and pains to the surface and helps practitioners to release adverse reactions to unpleasent sensations.

Adversity to these sensations creates unrest (suffering) in the mind and the practitioner loses his mind's balance when he feels adversity.

The pains come and last for while then they pass away, and quietly observing these sensations assists in bringing deeper equanimity to the mind.

The adversity that occurs often stems from a subconscious reaction pattern and is attached to some emotional content, and by observing these sensations quietly one breaks his habitual subconscious reactionary patterns and experiences emotional release.

There's alot to it really... I'm happy to discuss it if you feel curious about anything.

[Adrienne]

hi Resonance,

Quite the case you made there for sitting in meditation. I have tried both ways. As far as falling asleep, if you are tired, you will fall asleep no matter whether you are sitting up or laying down.

I remember a meditation where I was asking questions, and one of the answers I got was " come back and talk to us when you are awake enough to remember our answers ! " I was falling asleep and I was sitting up .

just a question for you, do you sit in a chair with a straight back or do you sit on the floor to meditate ?

blessings,
Dream Angel xx

Hi Dream Angel

That's a funny comment to get during meditation, but very to the point I sometimes find it quite hard to remember things from my meditation when I'm very deep down. It makes sense considering how little I remember of my dreams, though, as deep meditation often comes close to sleep.

I've forced myself to learn to sit on the floor on a cushion and I've never really tried to sit on a chair. It has just become my natural meditation pose. I'll have to re-learn to sit on a chair if my knees give out at some point later in life though

With much love
Resonance

I mostly like to sit up reasonably straight when I meditate. But thats just because thats the way I like to do it. In the past Ive experiemted with walking meditation, movement/dance meditation, sitting cross legged, laying on the sofa, laying on the floor...and I naturally meditate when Im walking.

I dont believe there is a right or wrong way, but if you find it reasonably easy to find a meditative state, then it might be interesting to explore the many different ways and positions to meditate.

im the same as most if i lay down i go to sleep but have never tryed half and half before will give it a go

[Lightspirit]

I get better results laying for sure and at night before sleep

[Adrienne]

hi lightworkerAu,

don't you get sleepy ?

Dream Angel xx

[Adrienne]

hi Resonance,

thanks for your reply, really ... you never tried meditating sitting in a chair ? Most of the books, info I have read always start out with, sit comfortably in a chair, let your feet rest on the floor. Not that I mediate sitting in a chair, unless I am somewhere where there is a group meditation and that is what is available. I have sat on the floor for almost 3 hours in a meditation, wow that is a very long time ! Not exactly by choice, and I felt so stiff afterwards.

love & blessings,
Dream Angel xx

Haha, no. I mean, I have meditated while going somewhere on a train for example, but I've always ended up on the floor in any "proper" meditation setting. When I first started out I was laying flat on my back, and I meditate like this before I go to sleep as it makes me drift more. But when I learned a bit more, I realised that I might as well learn to sit properly straight away as that was where all the recommendations ended up, even if sitting on a chair is fine. But being reasonably fit, I didn't have any "excuses" not to do it the hard way, and now I'm really glad I did :)

I really like to let myself drift, and that is works great when lying on my back. But for one-pointedness or mindfullness meditation, my concentration increases dramatically when sitting. Now I can sit comfortably for an hour without moving and without my shoulders sagging. Three hours on the other hand, will make my joints and muscles pretty stiff!

Lots of love
Resonance

[Adrienne]

Originally Posted by Resonance

When I first started out I was laying flat on my back, and I meditate like this before I go to sleep as it makes me drift more.

I really like to let myself drift, and that is works great when lying on my back. But for one-pointedness or mindfullness meditation, my concentration increases dramatically when sitting.

I like your comment, about meditating while laying on your back, makes you drift. Do you astral project when you are drifting ? And if you don't mind, may I ask you - what is one- pointedness or mindfullness meditation ?