STANDING MEDITATION

October 2007

Sometimes the most profound meditations can be the simplest. Meditating in the yoga posture Tadasana can lead to insights about the pose, your posture and the spiritual benefits of the pose. The word Tadasana means mountain pose. It is the basic standing position for yoga standing poses. As a mountain has a base that is firm on the earth, its summit soars towards Heaven, open to spiritual insights. In the same way, we can keep our feet firmly on the ground, yet remain open and attuned to spiritual inspiration.

Standing firmly on your mat or the ground, bring the feet close together. Bring your attention to your feet and spread out the toes. Feel the texture of the ground or mat under your toes, then under the balls of your feet and your heels. The insteps are firm and raised, not collapsed. Briefly lean into your toes, your heels and each side of your feet, then come back to your firm balanced posture. Bring your attention to your knees. Keep them soft and not pushed back. Become aware of the spine and feel it lengthening. The base of the spine from the lumbar area lengthens towards the ground and the upper spine soars upwards from the same place. Check the lumbar spine doesn’t arch. You should notice the abdominal area slightly contracts when the posture is right if you do this lengthening correctly. Check that your chest and shoulders widen and then that the chin is not lifted. When the posture is correct, your spine is aligned and the energies can flow correctly through the chakras. Now you can hold the pose effortlessly and begin the standing meditation.

Take your attention to your feet and feel how you are firmly supported by the ground. Breathe in and out of the place where your feet connect with the ground. Notice energy begin to build there. Identify what it feels like to you. Breathe out and take your energy into the earth. Be aware of the minerals, the rocks and gemstones, the life force of Gaia, Mother Earth. Breathe in and out of the earth a few times. Then breathe in and draw the energy up the spine, through the chakras and up to the crown of your head, sahasrara chakra. Again, you can pause and breathe in and out of sahasrara chakra a few times. Feel how the energy is for you. Now take your attention above your head, as if soaring up into Heaven, or the universe itself. Visualise a source of light, like the sun or a star. Breathe in the light and energy down through the crown chakra and through the chakras and down into the earth under your feet. Continue to breathe light up and down your spine, through the chakras and between earth and heaven. Be open to insights and inspiration. Feel that every atom and cell of your whole being is lit up by light. You should begin to feel energised and uplifted by this light. Do this for as long as you want to, then finish with your attention at your feet, so that you are earthed and grounded, ready for every day.

© Kathleen Pepper 2007

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