Meditative Monday

Hari OM

आसन - Aasana

Those who seek to undertake meditation at even a halfway dedicated level will, at some time or another, have heard the term aasana - or if the speaker is from Northern Indian backgrounds, swallowing the final a for aasan. The word is Sanskrit in origin and therefore ought to be pronounced fully - aahh-sun-uh. 

Semantics, though, do not help us in actual practice, and neither, in the end, do the discussions on what is the best form of seat to take

The word actually has a variety of meanings that bear no relationship to meditation itself. For example, it might be used to refer to the withers of an elephant or to mean stopping, or encamping, or the part of the vehicle where the driver sits... and one meaning is described, somewhat enigmatically, as " Sitting in peculiar posture according to the custom of devotees." 

The latter may have more to do with physical yogic practices wherein, as Gurudev used to say, folk tie themselves into pretzels. Two meanings that are closer to the purpose of taking posture for a meditation session, though, are 'abiding' and 'dwelling.'

For this is what the meditator is seeking to do to find a place within themselves to abide (or dwell) to restore inner order. Over centuries, the great masters of this art have determined that there is an optimum sitting position that can yield maximum benefit from such sessions and, let me reassure you, there is value in the lead they give on this matter. 

Before getting into too much of the technical, we must first find that we have formed a regular habit. That we have physically managed to abide (or dwell) in our given position. Not just the mind can fidget and frisk away at us when we are trying to be still. Remaining in one position itself takes practice - and determination. If we would meditate, we must first be prepared to commit to it on all levels. In taking our aasana, we must remember...