Everyday Mindfulness

Hi
I have been practising mindfulness meditation since last year, but have found that one thing that gets in the way of being able to do seated meditation is not being able to find a comfortable position without slumping. I have started to think about possibly trying a meditation bench, but would very much like to try one out before buying one. My search of the internet seems to bring up mostly internet only sites, or shops at the other end of the UK. I was wondering if anyone knew of anywhere in the SE corner (Kent, Essex) where I might go?

Hi Liz.
Can't help you with ideas for shops in that area.
I bought my bench online and it's perfect for me.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/CalmingBreath-C ... B005UMN41U
It's worth purchasing the cushion too.
I understand that you'd prefer to try the bench out first but shops are thin on the ground. I'm sure the bench I mention is returnable if it doesn't suit.
All best, Jon

Hi Liz,

The stool that Jon has linked to there is the one that I use too. it was a bit of a gamble when I bought it because I hadn't tried it, but the reviews seemed very positive.
I'm delighted with it!
I've used it for every meditation I've done since I got it and its extremely comfortable. I use mine as-is, without a cushion or anything else. I knew that I could always go back and buy a cushion for it later if I needed one but I'm very happy without.

I made my own bench - it was a fun project. It had folding legs on hinges and everything. These days I sit on a chair, however, since I do other yoga type practices which allow me to sit like that for 45 minutes without any aches or pains. I also bought a 'zafu' cushion stuffed with kapok from a reputable seller, and yet my hips weren't sufficiently 'open' for the floor sitting postures and I damaged my knee after repeated attempts at accepting my physical pain - I went on Soto zen retreats sitting like that for many hours a day - often zen meditation teachers don't know how dangerous it is, and say that the pain should be 'worked with', but actually one's knee gets hyperextended and twisted out of it's joint. I'm still paying the price for that now as my other exercises repair the tendon maladjustment that came from it. Hopefully one day I can return to floor sitting (as opposed to chair sitting) as it does seem a more 'intimate' experience - being closer to the Earth, and more firmly rooted.

For what it's worth, the best bench I have tried (out of 4 or different designs in various places) was one which had curved bases to the legs - difficult to describe, but I mean where the bench legs meet the floor, they weren't flat but rounded so that when one sits, one can get an optimum angle for one's particular body, and surprisingly the bench remains stable. These are the best pics I could find which approximate it, although the bench I used had more curve/roundedness to the leg bases:

Thanks for your suggestions, definitely food for thought, may well have to take the plunge and give it a go. Perhaps one day I'll make my own, but for now, I think I'll stick with the safety of one somebody else has hopefully lovingly assembled

I could never sit seiza for extended periods, but a meditation bench works well for me. I got mine from a friends Woodworking. . .

I've been using a 'Kindseat' meditation bench for year (see www.kindseat.com). This has been lovingly constructed by an experienced meditation teacher and is the only seat I've seen that can be adjusted in small specific adjustments up and down and with a seat that tilts you gently forward. So can change with you. Can be used in sitting or kneeling positions. Can really recommend this. Every good wish in your search for a seat.

Hello SueB and welcome to our community!
Thank you for the website, I look forward to getting to know you better

I like the look of the Kindseat. But what's it made out of? I'm trying to avoid plastic as much as possible. Is it plastic? Thanks, Jon

JonW wrote: I'm trying to avoid plastic as much as possible. Is it plastic?

From their website:

Ethically sourced

This meditation stool is made of birchwood ply which is sourced from sustainably managed forests from Finland.

Looks like they know their potential customer

...and where to find them too

Also:

It’s strong (tested to 20 Stone (280lbs)

So there's another weight off your mind, eh...