Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The notes on this posture come from the mahamudra tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Vairocana is the name of a Buddha and translates as Illuminating Clarity. So to adopt this posture helps to bring stability, clarity and insight to the mind through the skilful use of the body position. Here are the seven points Point 1 Spine straight. If the spine is straight, then the sushumna, the central energy channel of the body is straight and the Ida and Pingala (Moon & Sun or Left & Right) channels have equally moving wind/ energy. This is thought to be important in decreasing discursive thought i.e. it helps your mind relax from the incessant round of mental gossiping! Point 2 Hands in the posture of resting equally. This is hands open and resting palm down on each knee (if you are sat cross-legged). The hands are at the same height and in the same position and there is a sense of openness to the posture. A closed posture, on the other hand, would be folding your arms, for example. Point 3 Elbows slightly sticking out. The elbows do not hug the sides, but are lifted slightly away from the body. This brings a natural stability and a certain grace especially to the upper body. Point 4 Slightly lower the chin. This can also be described as lifting the top of your head upwards, or imagining that there is a string attached to the top of your head which pulls it upwards slightly. The effect is to seat the skull slightly more vertically on the spine. Point 5 Unwavering eyes/ gaze. You focus on a spot slightly beyond the tip of your nose. Point 6 Lips natural; tongue against the palate. Keep your teeth slightly apart and the lips also. In other words dont sit there with a clenched jaw and expect to be able to relax! Touch the tip of the tongue to the palate. Point 7 Legs in vajra posture. Vajra posture is also known as the full lotus position. There is also the instruction on posture by the great Buddhist master Kamalashila, known as the
5. Look down the nose to a place four finger-widths beyond the tip of the nose. 6. Keep a slight gap between the teeth and between the lips. 7. Touch the tip of the tongue to the palate. 8. Breathe naturally and without effort.