Mantra Meditation And The Preparation Of The Body
In order to get the best results from your mantra meditation practice there are a number of things you can do to prepare your body.
If you practice some form of mind body physical discipline such as tai chi or yoga it is a good idea to do this before mantra meditation practice so that the body is warm. However if you don’t have this type of practice just do your mantra meditation practice after you have showered and cleaned in the morning.
One of the keys to a successful mantra mediation practice is posture. You want to aim to have a posture where the spine is in alignment.
Cross legged sitting positions are ideal. On this posture there are a number of variations. For the yogi types there are the lotus and half lotus positions and other variations.
Make your posture comfortable by using whatever you need such as blankets, cushions and bolsters. Having the hips slightly tilted forward is the secret to correct spinal alignment in cross legged positions. To achieve this sit on a cushion with legs on the floor. The hips will naturally tilt forward slightly in this position. This naturally puts the spine into alignment.
For those who have difficulty with this position there are alternatives.
You can try the legs folded with shins parallel to ground and sitting on your feet position. Use cushions if you need to make the position more comfortable.
For those with problems with mobility making floor positions not possible there are alternatives. Chairs can be used. A hard chair is preferable. In the chair sit up straight for the spine to be in alignment.
Remember that you should never put your body in a position of serious discomfort. That is not the aim of mantra meditation. It is essential to always listen to your body and in finding an aligned spine work with a position that is comfortable.
When the spine is aligned it also aligns the body, mind and chakras to have the best focus for the mantra meditation practice. This helps you to maximize the results of your mantra meditation practice.
