Q&A with Swamiji .....191...Proper Asan

[Guest guest]

Question from Steve: (original sent to Swamiji, shortened version

presented here)

 

Would you discuss with us your online devotees the proper way to sit

in meditation, in puja, etc. ...the asans you favor for both brief

and longer meditations ... and would you address the requirements in

your method for relative physical stillness ... is that an aspect

that is important, or does one let the focus naturally draw one into

the increasing stillness?

 

Swamiji's response :

 

Our tradition emphasizes that every movement of the body is a

reflection of the movement of the mind. Therefore, in order to hold

the mind still, we must hold the body still. We teach the swastik

asana as the asana of our preference. There are two choices: the

padma or the swastik. Choose one, and expand the duration of your

sitting peacefully.

[Guest guest]

Group,

 

Here are descriptions of those asanas, from the Devi Gita:

 

Padmasana, aka: Lotus Posture

Placing the feet with the soles showing, on the opposite thighs,

(crossing the legs with the right foot on the left thigh and the

left foot on the right thigh) and catching by the right hand brought

around the back, the toes of the right foot, and catching by the

left hand brought around the back, the toes of the left foot; then

sitting straight with ease.

Note: ... it is not necessary for the hands to be carried around the

back to grab their respective toes. Both of the hands may be crossed

and placed on the lap.

 

Svastikasana, aka: Excellent Attainment Posture

Place the feet on the inner side of the knees with the soles facing

upwards.

 

steve

 

, "Latha Nanda" <lathananda>

wrote:

>

>

> Question from Steve: (original sent to Swamiji, shortened version

> presented here)

>

> Would you discuss with us your online devotees the proper way to

sit

> in meditation, in puja, etc. ...the asans you favor for both brief

> and longer meditations ... and would you address the requirements

in

> your method for relative physical stillness ... is that an aspect

> that is important, or does one let the focus naturally draw one

into

> the increasing stillness?

>

> Swamiji's response :

>

> Our tradition emphasizes that every movement of the body is a

> reflection of the movement of the mind. Therefore, in order to

hold

> the mind still, we must hold the body still. We teach the swastik

> asana as the asana of our preference. There are two choices: the

> padma or the swastik. Choose one, and expand the duration of your

> sitting peacefully.

[Guest guest]

It's so interesting that you have posted this today. We were just

studying that section of Devi Gita this a.m. during our sadhana.

Syncronistic!

Jai Maa,

Steve Connor <sconnor (AT) austin (DOT) rr.com> wrote:

Group,Here are descriptions of those asanas, from the Devi

Gita:Padmasana, aka: Lotus PosturePlacing the feet with the soles

showing, on the opposite thighs, (crossing the legs with the right

foot on the left thigh and the left foot on the right thigh) and

catching by the right hand brought around the back, the toes of the

right foot, and catching by the left hand brought around the back,

the toes of the left foot; then sitting straight with ease. Note: ...

it is not necessary for the hands to be carried around the back to

grab their respective toes. Both of the hands may be crossed and

placed on the lap. Svastikasana, aka: Excellent Attainment Posture

Place the feet on the inner side of the knees with the soles facing

upwards. steve, "Latha

Nanda" <lathananda> wrote:> > > Question from Steve: (original

sent to Swamiji, shortened version> presented here)> > Would you

discuss with us your online devotees the proper way to sit > in

meditation, in puja, etc. ...the asans you favor for both brief > and

longer meditations ... and would you address the requirements in >

your method for relative physical stillness ... is that an aspect >

that is important, or does one let the focus naturally draw one into

> the increasing stillness?> > Swamiji's response :> > Our tradition

emphasizes that every movement of the body is a > reflection of the

movement of the mind. Therefore, in order to hold > the mind still,

we must hold the body still. We teach the swastik > asana as the

asana of our preference. There are two choices: the > padma or the

swastik. Choose one, and

expand the duration of your > sitting peacefully.