ISSUE 02 | FEBRUARY 2020
Homemade zabuton.
For the half-lotus position, put either foot on top of
the opposite thigh, and place the other foot on the
floor underneath the other thigh. For the full lotus
position, put each foot on the opposite thigh with the
line of the toes matching the outer line of the thighs.
It is important to "push" the sky with the top of your
head and to push the floor with your knees.
This posture might seem uncomfortable and
unnatural for most beginners, but with practice, your
legs and hips will become more flexible, you mind
will relax, and you will find the posture to be quite
comfortable.
Head And Neck
Whatever the position you choose to adopt, make
sure that your back and neck stay as straight as
possible. Pull your chin in a little to erect the neck
and try to "push the sky" with the top of your head. do
not be too tensed or too relaxed while you do this; try
to find balance in your posture. Keep your mouth be
together, and your tongue should be against the roof
of your mouth just behind your teeth.
The Eyes
Traditionally in Zen, the eyes are kept open during
meditation. This prevents the meditator from
daydreaming or becoming drowsy. Without focusing
BIKERS CLUB ® MAGAZINE | PAGE 43
on nothing in particular, direct you vision about one
meter in front of you on the floor. Your eyes will
naturally come to rest in a position that is half
opened and half closed. When doing zazen in a soto
dojo (meditation hall), the meditator sit facing a wall
in order to avoid distracted by external movement. It
is suggested to do the same at home.
Hands & Arms Position
The position of the hands during Zazen is the same
for the full lotus, half lotus, seiza and chair positions.
This hand position is called the Cosmic Mudra or
Hokkaijoin in Japanese. First, put your left hand on
the right one, and palms turned towards the sky.
Now, make an oval by touching the tips of the
thumbs together so that your thumbs touch each
other and form a somewhat straight line. The tips of
your thumbs should lightly touch each other. Both of
your wrists should rest on your thighs; the edge of
your hands should rest against your belly. Keep your
shoulder relaxed.
There are two reasons for this hand position. First,
shape of the hands harmonizes the condition of our
minds. The meaning of the mudra is "beyond duality"
Secondly, if your mind is somewhere else when you
sit, naturally the shape of this oval becomes distorted.
This can be a signal for yourself that something is
wrong with your meditation and for your teacher so
that he can correct you.