Big Sit, Day 78: Training Wheels

"The first thing to learn in meditation is how to sit effectively...There are two important principles that you need to bear in mind in setting up a suitable posture for meditation: your posture has to allow you to relax and to be comfortable, and your posture has to allow you to remain alert and aware."~wildmind Buddhist Meditation

Even after participating in what has now become 78 straight days (well, maybe of few less) sitting practice, I still feel as though I'm using "training wheels." In staying with Tricycle's 90-day Zen Meditation Challenge, The Big Sit, I have been using a chair and cushion when sitting (the easiset of all sitting positions), despite my unconscious recognition that doing so makes my time spent seem less than those who can rock the full or half lotus sitting position.

It's not that I haven't tried, on a few occasions, to either kneel, or sit either Indian style or half-lotus, but that it is much more comfortable--and my energy and breathe-counting easier to focus upon, when I am sitting in the more comfortable upright position with the aid of my old reliable desk chair.

But, it probably really doesn't matter how I "sit," as long as I endeavor to do so with a level or intention and discipline. Another example might be those of us who play sports recreationally. There is still a real benefit to our doing so. Despite the reality that our level of athletic performance, or how we look participating, does not necessarily mirror that of a professional or expert involved in the same activity.

So, while I am still using the training wheels, at least I am gaining some benefit from moving at all!

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!