Lesson 127 - Q&A – Siddhasana or padmasana?

From: Yogani
Date: Tue Feb 24, 2004 0:49pm

New Members: It is recommended you read from the beginning of the web
archive, as previous lessons are prerequisite to this one. The first
lesson is, "Why This Discussion?"

Q: I had been doing meditation in Padmasana (Lotus Pose) for a long
time. After reading your message I realised that it doesn't bring any
pressure to perineum. Do I need to switch to Sidhasana? I tried it
but looks like it would take quite some time for me to get accustomed
to it. Let me know how should I proceed. In Padmasana, one limitation
which I find is after sitting for 45 minutes or so, my legs become
slightly numb and it distracts me a little bit.

A: Padmasana is a very good seat with its own benefits, though not
many can sit in it comfortably for long. Siddhasana in the simplified
form given in the lessons is an easier seat to stay in, once
achieved. Its effects can also be achieved using a prosthetic at the
perineum. See lessons #33 and #75 for details.

Which is best? It depends on your preference and approach to
achieving your goals in yoga. If you are not inclined to directly
stimulate sexual energy to raise kundalini, then siddhasana is not
something to rush into. On the other hand, if you are inclined bring
up sexual energy by direct means, then siddhasana is very desirable,
more desirable than padmasana.

It is a matter of where we fall on the "tantra scale" at a point in
time. Siddhasana is left of center on this scale, while padmasana is
right of center. Left is working more with sensuality in practices,
and right is working less with sensuality. As you know, we go far
left in the tantra group. Siddhasana is in that direction. How
inclined we are to go into siddhasana is a function of our bhakti,
which is related to how much purification we have in our nervous
system. It is interesting that more purification encourages us to be
more involved in directly cultivating sexual energy upward in
spiritual practices.

In yoga it is not possible to avoid dealing with sexual energy
indefinitely, because sooner or later the nervous system becomes
activated by the rise of kundalini, and inner ecstasy explodes
inside. There is nothing more sensual than that. All of the advanced
yoga practices are designed to promote ecstasy's natural rise in the
nervous system. Even meditation is ultimately for that, coming from
deep inner silence to union in ecstatic bliss everywhere in the body
and beyond. That is why we call advancedyogapractices, "easy lessons
for ecstatic living."

Yet, everyone has their own inclinations in yoga practice, and
honoring each person's tendencies is much more important than giving
everyone the same "cookie cutter" approach to enlightenment. A
technology is good only if it is flexible enough so anyone can use
it. That is why we keep all the practices as simple and direct as
possible, and talk a lot about self-pacing. Each must travel their
own way, at their own speed. The tool kit is here to be used, or not
used, as you see fit. It we don't need a tool now, maybe we will need
it later. Like that.

Given your interest, perhaps what you should consider doing is
developing siddhasana. Work your way into it gradually, and see if it
works for you energy-wise. If it doesn't, you can go back to
padmasana. It won't hurt to know both seats. I went though a similar
testing phase many years ago, and ended up in siddhasana for the long
haul. I have stayed a bit left of center because, experientially, it
has made perfect sense to do so. Whatever it is for you will be fully
respected.

The guru is in you.

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