Zafu Meditation Cushion – How to Find the Best

Meditation cushions were created to help people practice their mediation in a sitting position more comfortably. One of the most popular meditation cushions today, is the Zafu Meditation Cushion.

The type of cushion you select will decide the pose you will be sitting in. You should learn how to use the cushion correctly if you want to get the full benefits from it. These cushions help to institute a relaxing sitting position and keep your posture correct and your spine aligned in a healthy way. Posture is crucial while sitting during meditation.

 

How Cushions Help Meditation:

Your search for spiritual enlightenment  during mediation will fail if your back is aligned incorrectly or you suffer an injury to your back or have terrible discomfort, as these problems will distract you during meditation.  Your energy must be allowed free circulation throughout your body during meditation. A proper meditation cushion will allow these spiritual and physical dynamics to occur.

Meditation cushions provide needed support so your body can achieve the best and  most healthy spinal alignment and posture possible. This cushion configures the spine according to the sitting posture of lotus, half-lotus or a kneeling posture. The practitioner learns to tuck in her lower back and to keep the spine in a straight line.

Curving out the upper back and gently tucking in the neck, with the head held as if balancing a book on top of the head, allows for the best posture. Spinal stress is minimized and one’s sitting sessions are more effective, reducing potential physical harm. Ultimately, the key factor is to create the best physical condition so that the path to enlightenment is unhindered by pain and discomfort.

Selecting the Right Cushion for Your Meditation Style:

In order to choose the correct meditation cushion will depend on if you are meditating in a kneeling or sitting position. The best back support cushion for a lotus or half lotus position is a Zafu meditation cushion, which is a round and puffy cushion. You need to sit at the forward edge of the Zafu, to let your legs be in comfort, and keep your spine in the correct alignment.

Some people use a cosmic cushion that is in a horse shoe shape, which provides support for the thighs and keeps their feet and ankles comfortably against their body. If you need minor physical twinge adjustments, you can use an ancillary support cushion. A Zabuton cushion is much less fuller than a Zafu, and is rectangular in shape. Beginners usually use a Zabuton cushion. Some people will put a Gomden on the Zabuton to support and cushion their feet and ankles. You can use a Zabuton without a Gomden too.

 

Consider Size When Selecting a Meditation Cushion:

People that are of normal height normally use the Zafu meditation cushion, while people that are taller or have problems with flexibility normally use the Cosmic cushion.

Extra cushioned support is provided by a Zabuton. Besides the Zafu, Zabuton, Cosmic Cushion, and the Gomden, the Yoga Bolster can be used for kneeling meditations.  You should have various meditation cushions for your various positions such as, kneeling, sitting, and lying down.