Chapter 2 Flashcards
What are the three related aspects of posture when meditating?
They are alignment, relaxation and aliveness.
Why is alignment of the pelvis important?
It is important because it provides support and stability, especially if we ensure our pelvis is higher than our knees.
How would you describe where the head and spine mean?
They met towards the middle of the head, quite deep - at the base of the skull and the top of the spine. If you touch the hollow your ear lobes and imagine your head pivoting on that spot.
What is dynamic tension?
It is where the muscles on the back of the neck prevent the head being held through too much tension, which pulls the head forwards and backwards.
How do we become more aware of the most public area of our body - the face?
It is best to use awareness of the face than to try to force it to relax. We often “put on a brave face” regardless of our emotions. Instead of this, we could imagine the freedom of not being subject to the judgement of ego (or others).
A good exercise to do is exploring your face with your hands.
What is the emotional centre of the body?
The belly.
How do we focus on the belly in meditation?
The belly is the area where a sense of confidence radiates from. We want to let go, but also feel a sense of strength in our posture. The main thing is to experiment and see what works for you.
For the author, it’s the centre of his awareness.
How do we achieve relaxation in our meditation posture?
We achieve balance in our pelvis and head (and other body parts: arms, hands, face, belly, buttocks).
What does “aliveness” mean with respect to meditation?
It means not being too rigid, letting the body settle, tuning into your breathing and responding to the breath. You may feel a sense of the internal energy within your body by having a receptive attitude (rather than imposing ideas about what it should feel like).
