Meditation Part 4

I can usually sit in the straddling position for an hour or two. After that I have to take a different posture, usually modified Burmese style, to relieve myself from a discomfort. 

I cannot recall exactly how I used to sit before I learned how sit well from the book, Katsuki and Grimstone, 33.

It is probable that I used to sit in hanka fuza fashion, half-lotus. If so, it explains, in part, why I developed a shoulder pain after I become a regular meditator, even though I didn't had such problem before: see the chapter on posture why hanka fuza is not good posture .I implicate my shoulder pain on hanka fuza, in part. 

I neither desire to sit nor wish to recommend hanka fuza, as the author does, so I will not discuss about it.

Kekka fusa, unlike hanka fuza, is not associated with unfavorable outcomes, but I found it difficult to master it, as others did.

I can now do it for about 10 minutes or so. I shall continue to practice it until I am able to do it for as long as it can be done without undue difficulties.

The author says good things about kekka fuza, such as being balanced posture and so on. I was not able, however, to push the waist forward, appreciably, as I did for other postures, so as to protrude the belly for the purpose of placing the weight of the body on it, and thus by implication enjoy what the author calls "the most stable posture and quietest mental conditio" Katsuki and Grimstone, 35. I assume, in the mean time, based on my limited experience of kekka fuza, the posture is completely balanced and a modest belly protrusion may suffice.

To sit in kekka fuza fashion, place your  left foot on the right thigh and then place your right foot on the left thigh. The reverse position may also be assumed.