Types of Meditation Cushions

Every day of our life is so over consuming that we rarely get any time where the mind could be put to rest along with the body (No! Am not talking about sleep!), but about the other times in the day, where the mind is burdened with the million problems and is still craving for tangible solutions. That is when meditation helps! Meditation is nothing but a way of controlling the reigns of mind and bringing it to rest, in order to relax the body and mind simultaneously. It is often said, meditation is the gateway to spiritual freedom and enlightenment. And the result is a calm and a stable mind, which is often the key to unlock many tough problems in life. So when doing meditation, ambiance and the accessories involved are equally important too. Meditation cushion is one of the accessories used while meditating

Meditation Cushions Types

Meditation has its norms. As per the Buddhist meditation history, it is believed that Lord Buddha attained his enlightenment while he was seated in a lotus position, cross-legged with each foot resting on the opposite thigh, with the hands entwined in lap and with the spine erect. To make your meditation easy and joyful, meditation cushions just serve your purpose aright! There are many kinds of Zen meditation cushions which help in settling with the right postures for meditating and relaxing. The Zen Mountain Monastery has designed special types of meditation cushions based on orthopedic research and have come up with the Zafu and Zabuton cushions to make the Zen meditation techniques easier for you. So here are the two popular meditation cushions, popularly used today. Just have a look!

Zafu
Zafu is a round shaped cushion and an invention of the Japanese. A Zafu is about 35 cm in diameter and is about 20 cm high, when it is fluffed. They are usually made from heavy cloth and are filled with plant fibers or buckwheat hulls. These cushions are extensively used in sitting meditation.The way they have been made, makes it much easier for the Zen monks to sit cross-legged for a long duration of time in a stable manner.

Zabuton
Zabuton cushions too are Japanese cushions for sitting. These are generally found in most drawing rooms of every Japanese home, where they are spread on the floor for a comfortable sitting. Unlike Zafu, they are not quite fluffed up, and can be used even when sitting in chairs. A typical Zabuton is about 50-70 cm sideways and is thick when bought brand new. The aim of such comfy types of meditation cushions is to facilitate a proper posture and alignment to the body when sitting or meditating.

Meditation Cushions Reviews

Below listed are some popular types of meditation cushion sets that can be booked from the meditation stores online and they will be shipped to you at the appropriate time.

Tibetan Mountain Set
It is a unique cushion set (about 18 inch long, 6.5 inch high and 12 inch wide), which is rectangular in shape and is extensively used by Buddhist practitioners. This uses the modern viscoelastic foam technology and has a stabilizing firm foam base. The best benefit availed by many of the meditation practitioners is that this foam molds to the shape of the body, aiding in even distribution of weight and spinal alignment of the body. Available in enticing colors of terracotta red, black and royal blue, they make one of the best meditation cushion sets.

Mountain Seat Zafu
This Zafu set has a sturdy buckwheat hull base covered with durable cotton, combined with viscoelastic foam. The foam layer, above the buckwheat base has been designed in such a way that it conforms to the body shape and comfort. In fact, one can also adjust the amounts of buckwheat in the basal layer to suit the individual's needs. They usually come in varied sizes of 5.5 inch, 7.5 inch and 8.5 inches high. It comes in only one color and that is black.

Mountain Seat Zabuton
This is a good robust meditation cushion, which uses a layer of viscoelastic foam that is placed between two thick layers of cotton batting. This cushion is excellent for knees, ankles and hips. People who practice Yoga and often sit in kneeling posture can reap excellent benefits by using this stout meditation cushion. This too comes in black color and is about 30 inch long, 3 inch high and 34 inch wide.

Buddhist meditation cushions too are inclusive of the Zafu and Zabuton, but they are often hand made too. Zen meditation is an important aspect of Buddhism and has helped a great deal in spiritual healing therapies. One can also practice the meditation techniques at home with the help of these cushions and feel the new inner self blooming within.