Meditation Cushions - All You Need To Know
Why Do I Need A Meditation Cushion?
To some degree, meditating without a one is like using the wrong tool for the job. Meditation cushions were invented because they work, and because they have been designed specifically to:
1) Support the body in the correct meditation posture
2) Elevate the hips so the spine sits straight
3) Provide stability so the posture of the meditator is still
4) Allow a comfortable sitting position so the lower limbs do not go to sleep.
The position of the back is important whilst meditating. If the seat is too low (for instance if you sit on the floor) the back will hunch, and it will place pressure on the lower back. Equally if the seat is too high, the lower back arches. Neither position is very comfortable and sitting for long periods of time in positions like these can cause some pain as the spine is being held in a stress position. These stress positions also cause misalignments in the hips and thus the legs will tense to hold yourself in these positions, all of which are facets that are not conducive to a good meditation session.
What Should I Look For In A Meditation Cushion?
It should be the correct height for you, that is allowing your spine to sit straight, without curling or arching your back.
The meditation cushion should also be supportive and should not compress too much under your own weight. If it does this, your sitting position will be unstable and this, too is not good for your meditation. Most meditation cushions are filled with kapok or buckwheat hulls. Bear in mind that kapok will compress over time, but buckwheat hulls do not not. Kapok does however have a slightly more solid feel to it. Experiment and see what you prefer.
The cushion should also allow you to arrange your lower limbs (cross legged, kneeling, half or full lotus) comfortably without too much pressure being placed upon them.
There are two shapes of meditation cushions.
- Round Shape - This is better suited to larger people as this shape allows better support of the whole behind. It's also ok for people who don't mind their feet being further away from their body.
- Half Moon - This shape looks like a half moon or a kidney bean. The notch allows you to bring your feet closer to your body.
Try meditation cushions out before you choose one. Provided you are sitting in the correct posture, the shape, firmness and height are mainly a matter of personal preference.