Zen and the Art of Choosing Meditation Cushions

Why do you need special cushions just for meditation? Well, of course, you don't really need them at all. You can meditate while lying on the sofa, walking around the block, or sitting on the floor in lotus posture on a rolled-up bath towel. But many people find that they are more likely to actually engage in and maintain a practice for which they have done some preparation and yes, spent some money. It's the same rationale that says that you're more likely to work out regularly if you've bought an expensive gym membership. You want to see a return on that investment.

Then there's the aesthetic factor to consider. If you have a room or even a small space that is set up just for meditation, with your cushions in place and perhaps a gong or an incense burner nearby, you know when you enter that space that it's meditative space. It just feels different than ordinary space, it feels . . . quieter. Pretty soon your mind begins to slow down as soon as you move toward your meditation area, and since you're probably not using your cushions at any other time or for any other purpose, you will come to associate your meditation furniture exclusively with the act of meditating, so that as soon as you take your seat on your cushion, your mind and body will automatically begin to relax.

Finally, you want to be as comfortable as you can possibly be. Meditation is not supposed to be an endurance contest, and comfort is the key to a successful practice. You will find that your carefully-chosen cushions will enhance your practice immeasurably by enabling you to sit without discomfort. This alone makes them worth having.

The basic cushion, and the one you'll probably find you can't do without, is the zafu (loosely translated, "sewn seat.") A traditional Japanese-style zafu is a plump, round, pleated cushion, usually stuffed very firmly with either kapok or buckwheat hulls. (The merits of each will be discussed below.) This cushion, positioned under your tush, serves to support your spine in an upright sitting position, providing enough height so that you can sit in full or half-lotus or simply with your legs crossed, and ideally with your knees resting on the floor. The slight tilt that results correctly aligns your spine in an erect posture and provides the most stable position for extended periods of sitting.

Zafus come in several sizes, and there isn't much standardization; a regular-sized zafu can be anywhere from 13 to 16 inches in diameter, and between 5 and 8 inches high. Larger zafus, 15-17 inches by 7-9 inches, usually work better for taller folks who have long legs and need more height to sit cross-legged in comfort. In general, if you are 5'10" or taller, you will want to purchase a larger zafu, while if you are under 5'10", the smaller or regular-sized cushion will work for you.

Note that weight and/or girth aren't usually significant; short or average-height plump people generally sit very comfortably on regular-sized zafus. The size of the cushion you need for maximum comfort has much more to do with your height than your weight.

The crescent-shaped zafu has become increasingly popular in recent years. This, as the name suggests, is a pleated zafu cut and sewn in a crescent or kidney-bean shape. Roughly two thirds the size of a round zafu, the crescent cushion is favored by some practitioners because it's a bit more streamlined, and because the shape of the cushion provides more support for your upper thighs. It also provides more space to tuck in your heels as you sit, if a full lotus posture is difficult to maintain.

A well-constructed zafu has the following features: It has a zippered or hook-and-loop closure so that the amount of filling can be adjusted, and so that the filling can be replaced if necessary, or simply removed when the shell needs to be laundered. It is made of a sturdy fabric like canvas, twill, duck, or denim, preferably machine-washable cotton. It has double or triple-sewn seams, which will extend the life of the cushion and prevent leakage in the event that a seam opens. A traditional zafu has evenly-spaced pleats around the sides, and a smooth, pucker-free top and bottom. Finally, a good quality zafu has a sewn-in handle so that the cushion can be easily carried.

A good zafu is firmly stuffed with a high-quality filling like kapok (a soft, silky natural fiber that is very durable and provides high loft and a very firm seat) or buckwheat hulls, preferably organic (the dry triangular husks of buckwheat grains.) Buckwheat hulls shift slightly inside the cushion to conform to your body shape, and they provide a very comfortable, stable seat. While their initial loft is not as great as with kapok, they hold their shape better, and they don't have kapok's tendency to compress and flatten over time. The selection of filling for your zafu is largely a matter of personal preference, but if you foresee washing the shell with some regularity, you'll probably want to go with buckwheat hulls.

You may be wondering about the pleated construction of these cushions, especially since there are cushions sometimes sold as zafus that don't have any pleats. Simply stated, a zafu is a sewn cushion you sit on. An unpleated cushion, if used regularly, will eventually separate at the seams from the long-term stress of bearing your weight. Bed pillows, sofa cushions, and even rolled blankets can be pressed into service in a pinch, but none of these items are designed to hold your body weight for long periods, and all will show signs of wear and eventually disintegrate with this kind of use. A pleated zafu, on the other hand, is specially designed for use as a sitting cushion; the pleats allow the cushion to "give" with your weight, and the stuffing is thus automatically redistributed into the pleated spaces if you move about or shift your position, without placing undue stress on the seams.

By now you are probably also thinking about your poor aching knees and ankles, resting on the hard floor. This is where the zabuton is a lifesaver. A zabuton (literally, a "sitting futon") is a large flattish cushion that you place underneath your zafu, as shown above. The zabuton provides a thick padded surface to cushion your ankles and knees and also to insulate you from the floor or ground.

As with zafus, the dimensions may vary, but these cushions generally measure between 28" and 32" square (occasionally you'll see a rectangular zabuton.) The larger zabutons, designed for use with large zafus, are somewhat bigger, and can be up to 36" square. The loft is usually between 2 and 4 inches.

A well-made zabuton is traditionally stuffed with thick cotton batting, and has a removable cover that can be laundered. While the top of the cover may be done in any one of a wide variety of fabrics, a good zabuton will be made with a heavy, durable fabric on the bottom surface; many people meditate outdoors, sitting on the ground, and a lightweight or fragile fabric simply won't hold up well with this kind of use.

Some zabutons are tufted, others are not; the tufting can keep the batting from shifting inside the cushion, but it can also make the cushion less comfortable to sit on, and comfortable sitting is, of course, the object of your quest. Tufting seems to be largely a matter of personal preference. If you decide on a tufted zabuton, I strongly suggest that you avoid cushions that are button-tufted, as the buttons are invariably going to end up directly under your knee or ankle, making for a very painful session.

Cotton batting is the norm, but you can also find zabutons stuffed with kapok, although these are much more expensive, or with polyester fiberfill, also fairly expensive. While neither of these fibers will shift and separate as much as cotton batting, they both tend to produce a cushion that is too puffy to be really well-suited for its intended purpose. For the purist, traditional untreated cotton batting is generally preferred. Zafus and zabutons are often available in matching sets, and this is certainly the most economical way to purchase them.

Aesthetically, you have many colors, styles, and fabrics from which to choose. (Cushions like those in the picture are available now at Shade of the Bo Tree.)

Traditional cushions for zazen are solid black, as this color is thought to be the least distracting, and black remains the most popular color for meditation cushions. Natural unbleached canvas or cotton duck is another popular fabric choice. Burgundy is considered a priestly color in Buddhism, and this association appeals to some folks. Sturdy fabrics like canvas and twill are of course widely available in many colors, and you can find cushions in blue, green, red, brown, purple, yellow, or any of several other colors. You may want cushions to complement a particular décor or design element, and it is possible to obtain cushions to match almost anything. Certain types of heavy upholstery fabric lend themselves to this kind of utilitarian construction, and they are available in thousands of prints, styles, and colors; it is not uncommon to see meditation cushions made of these fabrics. If you purchase cushions made of upholstery fabrics, make sure they are washable! Many upholstery fabrics are dry-clean only. If you decide on a fabric that isn't washable, be prepared to have your cushion covers periodically dry-cleaned.

Meditation cushions are specialty items, not the kind of thing you can pick up at your local discount department store. This means that many of the skilled artisans who make them do a lot of custom work, and they may be willing to make your cushions to your specifications. If you have something very specific in mind, your best bet is to find one of these craftspeople (like Shade of the Bo Tree), and purchase your cushions in exactly the style, fabrics, and colors you want.

Shop around and compare. You are looking for sturdy construction, durable fabrics, high-quality, preferably organic, filling materials, and the type, size, and style of cushions that you think will best meet your needs. I hope that the information presented here will aid you in your selection. I encourage you to shop for a product that comes with a money-back guarantee, in case of any problems or if you find after your purchase that you need a different size or style.

Your meditation cushions are an investment, and as with any investment, you will want to make your purchase armed with enough information to make the best possible choice. If they are thoughtfully chosen and treated with reasonable care, your cushions will provide you with many years of service, and will help to make your meditation practice serenely comfortable so that you can enjoy the many benefits of sitting meditation for years to come.