Sitting in Full Lotus—Is This Even Possible?
Full lotus position is something that most people can gradually achieve, regardless of what you might initially think to be possible. In Falun Dafa, a spiritual cultivation practice of mind and body, there are examples of many practitioners who began not being able to sit properly in the half lotus position that with time eventually ended up being able to sit in the full lotus position.
Quoted from Mr. Li Hongzhi, founder of Falun Dafa, in the book "The Great Way Of Spiritual Perfection”:
"There are two kinds of leg crossing for meditation; in true practice there are just two ways to fold your legs."
"Let me explain the half-lotus position. This position can only be used as a transition, as a last resort, when you can’t manage to sit with both legs crossed. Half-lotus is done with one leg below and the other above. While sitting in the half-lotus position, many people hurt in their anklebones and can’t bear the pain for long. Even before their legs have begun hurting, the pain caused by their anklebones has become unbearable."
"Of course, even though I’ve told you to do the exercise this way, you might not be able to achieve this at the very beginning. You can work on it gradually."
Mr. Li Hongzhi further explains that from the single-leg crossing position, a practitioner can then pull the leg from underneath to the top—from the outside and not from the inside.
“That’s the full-lotus position. Some people cross their legs fairly tightly. By doing so, the soles of both feet face up and they can achieve Five Centers Facing Heaven."
With the Half lotus position, males have their right legs on the bottom, ground position and women will have their left legs on the ground. When progressing to the full lotus, the bottom or ground leg will become the outside leg. So the left leg for males and right leg for females will be tightly tucked into position and held into position by your opposite leg. The right leg for males and left leg for females will lift over the top and lock the opposite leg into position. Over time you will be able to left the outside leg right up which will lock it into place.
With practise and the opening up of the body and its energy channels, the leg’s flexibility will slowly increase and you will be able to achieve the full lotus position safely and comfortably.
You can learn how to do the Falun Gong sitting meditation here. These classes are held online where you can learn them for free from the comfort of your own home. For more information about Falun Gong you can visit this website: www.en.falundafa.org
When sitting in full lotus position the body forms this “lock” that allows you to comfortably sit in this position.
What’s interesting is that many pictures from Buddhist related arts depict the Buddha sitting in a lotus flower. So there is something that is more special than just simply sitting in the lotus position when you achieve the full lotus sitting position.
Views expressed in this article represent the author's own opinions or understandings.
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