Question: “So I’ve been following you for about 35 mins now and have already learned more than I could sitting in my room reading for hours. Thank you for all your words of wisdom and kindness to everyone. Now I have a question for you; I’ve been reading “Zen Mind, Beginners Mind”(maybe your familiar with) and it states that the “Full Lotus” meditation stance is key, I personally can not get into that position (yet) so if I practice while in “Half Lotus” will I still reach the correct state of mind?”
Zen Mind, Beginners Mind is one of my favorite books. Though, despite of the title, it is not a very “beginners” book. Anyway. In Zen, specifically, is a very important position. It is the position and a necessary one. Zen is a very process-oriented practice, so the practices and rituals you do in Zen usually always has to be by the book.
Outside of Zen, however, meditation can happen in any form; sitting full lotus, half lotus, on a chair, laying down, against a wall, upside down, sideways, on your head, or walking like a crab… You do whatever position it takes for you to be in the most comfortable position you can be without the distraction of aching muscles and joints. Meditation is about taming the mind, not the body, so if we get too caught up in trying to be in the most perfect full lotus position, then we’re defeating the purpose of meditation.
In my book, Making Friends With Our Mind: A Basic Guide to Buddhist Meditation, I think, is a great introductory to the “all-purpose” meditation methods, postures, techniques, etc.
Your body/posture has nothing to do with reaching a correct state of mind. Only your mind has something to do with reaching a correct state of mind, so once you’ve found your “go-to” posture, no matter what it is, then you begin your practice of reaching whatever state of mind you’re trying to get to.
Smile and be well!