Hour 31 Meditation – The Body as a Temple: Asana and Stillness
The Body as a Temple: Asana and Stillness
Overview: The Body’s Function in Meditation
In the Indian yogic tradition, the body is viewed as a sacred tool that can guide one into the highest states of consciousness rather than as a barrier. For this reason, the body was called a temple by the ancient seers. When the body receives awareness training, it becomes a conduit to the divine, a holding space for quiet, and a source of stability.
This module examines the deep connection between stillness and asana (posture), as well as how cultivating ease and stability in the body serves as the basis for more in-depth meditation. We view the body not only as a biological structure but also as a temple of transformation, a subtle field of energy, and a tool for meditation.
1. Asana: More Than Just Exercise
The Sanskrit root “ās,” which means to sit, to remain, to be present, is where the word “asana” originates. Asana has a much deeper definition in traditional yogic texts like Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras than it does in contemporary times, when it is frequently linked to physical flexibility and fitness.
Patanjali defines asana as “Sthira Sukham Asanam” (Yoga Sutra 2.46).
“Asana is a comfortable (sukha) and stable (sthira) posture.”
Stability and ease, which are necessary for focusing inward, are emphasized in this definition rather than complexity. Therefore, asana is about being in the body with awareness rather than about getting the body in shape.
Asana’s role in meditation:
- To get the body ready for extended periods of inactivity.
- To alleviate discomfort, aches, or restlessness in the body.
- To balance the pranic flow, which promotes inner peace and focus.
- To teach the nervous system to transition from a state of activity to one of calm alertness.
- To deeply align the body and mind with the here and now.
2. Silence: The Hallowed Portal
Being still is more than just not moving. Stillness in meditation is presence, a grounded, awake awareness in which the breath, body, and mind all work together. The meditator connects with something beyond the mind through this inner calm.
According to Osho, active meditation is the first step in allowing the body to express and let go of its restlessness. True stillness then emerges—effortlessly—in that worn-out emptiness.
Different Kinds of Stillness:
| Type | Description | Impact on Meditation |
| Stillness in the body | No conscious bodily movement | stabilizes awareness and conserves energy. |
| Stillness of Breath | Breathing becomes slow, gentle, and nearly undetectable. | opens the subtle body and soothes the mind. |
| Stillness of Mind | Stopping the fluctuations in thoughts | provides access to the witness consciousness |
| Active Silence | There is no internal turbulence as the Pranic flow becomes harmonious. | permits entry to more advanced meditational states |
3. The Temple of the Body
According to spiritual traditions, acknowledging the sanctity of the body entails treating it as a temple. It is something to respect, cleanse, and occupy with love and consciousness rather than something to repress, mistreat, or flee from.
From Osho’s Point of View:
According to Osho, the body is your first hall of meditation and your first reality. How will you be able to access the deeper levels of existence if you are unable to be lovingly present in your own body? Instead of denying the body, meditation starts with complete acceptance of it.
- The body needs to be calm, tidy, balanced, and totally present.
- Your life energy becomes more centered once you begin to live consciously in the body.
- When you respect your body, it cooperates with your intention to meditate.
4. Yoga Positions That Encourage Meditation
A list of basic seated poses that are perfect for meditation can be found below. These positions encourage comfort, stillness, and alignment of the energy:
| Name of Asana | Description | Meditation Benefits |
| Sukhasana | Easy Cross-Legged Pose | Promotes a calm, centered stance |
| Padmasana | Lotus Pose (legs crossed, feet on opposite thighs) | Creates a stable base, directs prana upward |
| Ardha Padmasana | Half Lotus Pose | A kinder variation of Padmasana |
| Vajrasana | Kneeling in the Thunderbolt Pose | keeps the spine in alignment and facilitates digestion. |
| Siddhasana | Pose of Achievement | helps men in particular to awaken their inner energy. |
| Swastikasana | Auspicious Pose | A symmetrical grounding position |
Advice: Keep your spine relaxed but upright in any position you choose. The antenna for higher consciousness is a straight spine.
5. Using Body Awareness and Breath to Create Stillness
Body awareness serves as a bridge to stillness in meditation. We gradually settle into silence by becoming conscious of the body’s movement rather than trying to make it remain motionless.
Methods for Developing Silence:
Body Scan: Consciously relax each part of your body as you slowly move your attention throughout it.
Breath Awareness: Uncontrollably notice your breath’s natural rhythm.
Micro-Stillness: The key to stillness is to pay attention to the pauses between thoughts and breaths.
Progressive Relaxation: To reduce physical stress, tense and relax each muscle group.
6. Barriers to Silence and How to Get Past Them
| Obstacle | Root Cause | Remedy |
| Fidgeting or restlessness | accumulated stress in the mind | Start by practicing active or dynamic meditation techniques. |
| Anguish or Unease | Stiffness or bad posture | Make gentle adjustments using cushions and supports. |
| drowsiness | Insufficient pranic awareness | Sit up straight, concentrate on your breathing, and slightly open your eyes. |
| Distraction of the Mind | Too much mental energy | Repeatedly bring your attention back to your body or breathing |
Tips for Creating Calm in Your Meditation
- Regular Consistency Over Perfection: Take a seat every day, even for a short while.
- Employing the same time and location fosters a sense of serenity.
- Comfort is the most important factor; avoid forcing your posture. If assistance is required, use it.
- Build Slowly: Begin by remaining motionless for five to ten minutes, then gradually extend.
- Observe Without Passing Judge: It’s acceptable if the body trembles. Simply observe.
- Don’t seek silence; instead, let it find you. Allow it to settle like dust.
Thoughtful Questions for the Meditator
- In your current meditation practice, how do you feel about your body? As a challenge or as a friend?
- When you sit in meditation, which pose is the most comfortable for you, and why?
- Have you ever been truly still, both inside and out?
- During meditation, what happens if you intentionally relax every body part?
- How can you start treating your body as though it were a temple?
The Sacred Silence in Conclusion
The art of Asana involves being grounded and establishing a body that is so balanced and poised that it permits the soul to arise and the mind to fade. Meditation occurs naturally when the body is steady, the breath is gentle, and the mind is calm. The body’s temple turns into the altar of silence.
Allow your asana to be more than just a pose; let it be a silent prayer, a moment of total awareness, presence, and aliveness.