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Determining the Appropriate Posture for Beginning with Meditation · Sri Aurobindo Studies

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  For someone beginning with meditation, every aspect of the
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  process raises a question. One of these questions relates
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  to the body. The eventual goal is to attain a
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  state where by meditation can occur regardless of what the
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  body is doing, or how it is positioned.
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  However, this is not usually the way things start out.
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  SRI, aurobindo responds on this point, the practice of Yoga
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  Nidra is widely discussed. In modern yoga circles.
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  This involves attaining a lying-down posture for the body
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  and then systematically relaxing.
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  All the limbs muscles and calming the breath.
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  Such that a state of deep relaxation and meditation can
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  result. This practice frequently leads
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  to a state of sleep, as the mind, the breath and the body
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  all are habituated to treat such actions as an invitation to
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  sleep. If one attempts meditation while
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  walking or standing, there is an increased level of alertness to
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  the outer world, as well as physical reactions, required to
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  remain standing or moving, And these are habitually treated as
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  an invitation to the Consciousness.
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  Moving, outwards to the external world.
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  It is thus that the seated posture becomes the most
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  recommended one for those starting with meditation.
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  There are many recommendations for specific asanas to be
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  attained and specific ways of sitting to be followed.
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  But the main issue for starting meditation should be a
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  comfortable seated posture. That can be held motionless for
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  some time. While the Mind moves its focused
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  inward or upward Eventually, as the practice of meditation
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  deepens, in the being, you can take place anywhere under any
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  circumstances. The Seeker, however, should be
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  prepared for steps or stages to reach this result.
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  SRI aurobindo writes quote. The sitting motionless posture
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  is the natural posture for concentrated meditation.
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  Walking and standing are active conditions.
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  It is only when one is gained the enduring rest and passivity
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  of the Consciousness that it is easy to concentrate and receive
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  when walking or doing anything else.
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  A fundamental passive condition of the Consciousness gathered in
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  itself is the proper poised for concentration and a seated
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  gathered in mobility in the body is the best position for that.
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  It can be done, also, lying down, but that position is too
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  passive tending to be inert rather than gathered.
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  This is the reason why Yogi's always sit in an off center When
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  can a custom oneself to meditate walking standing lying but
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  sitting is the first natural position and quote reference SRI
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  aurobindo in the mother growing within the psychology of inner
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  development. Chapter 5 growth of
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  Consciousness means and methods page 87.