What the meditation emoji taught me

Picture this… We’re playing a game of charades and it’s your turn to act out the word or phrase. The answer on the scrap of paper is “meditation”. What do you do? Chances are, you sit upright, cross-legged on the floor, close your eyes, and face your palms upward on your thighs.

Person in Lotus Position

The new meditation emoji (Person in Lotus Position emoji to be exact) is proof that meditation has a “face”. Heather Graham nailed it on the front cover of the August 2003 TIME Magazine and so does every stock image illustrating “young woman/man meditating”. As much as I’d like to say that there’s no one way to meditate, I can’t deny that the best or most effective representation of meditation (as well as other wellness activities like yoga) is a person in lotus position. Mark Bramhill, the man behind the emoji, calls the posture “the most iconic stance to represent the entirety of the practice”. You can read his full proposal here.

The Seven Point Meditation Posture

I decided to take a deeper dive into how to perfect the lotus pose (aka The Seven Point Meditation Posture) and more importantly, why:

✨ How? Legs crossed (quarter, half or full lotus)

✨ Why? Sitting, rather than lying down, helps us to stay awake and gives the best support to the mind and body.

✨ How? Back straight, spine elongated

✨ Why? With each vertebrae resting easily one on top of the other, your energy can flow freely, helping to contribute to mental clarity. The aim is to feel elevated when you sit down to meditate.

✨ How? Hands resting in your lap

✨ Why? For energy, try the right hand in the left, palms up and thumbs touching. For relaxation, try one hand on each knee, palms facing downwards.

✨ How? Shoulders back and relaxed

✨ Why? A strong back and open heart helps us to find that sweet spot between strength and vulnerability.

✨ How? Chin slightly tucked in

✨ Why? If your chin is too high it may lead to distraction. Too low and it will lead to drowsiness.

✨ How? Mouth slightly open

✨ Why? An open jaw and tongue up against the roof of your palate relaxes the face and reduces the need to swallow, which can otherwise be a distraction.

✨ How? Eyes soft (open or closed)

✨ Why? Whether your eyes are open or closed, try to direct your gaze downwards. Keeping your eyes open prevents sleepiness and is a reminder that one of the reasons we meditate is to look at ourselves directly.

The Seven Point Meditation Posture has been around for thousands of years, so why not learn from the greats and incorporate it into your meditation practice today?

Happy sitting in a cross-legged position!