Zabuton mats – do I need one?

Taski Delek! The question is often asked, “Do I need to purchase a zabuton mat to go with my zafu meditation cushion?” After 35 years of experience, I wouldn’t consider meditating without a zabuton mat beneath my ankles and knees. The reason for this is simply that the zabuton mat, which goes beneath the meditation cushion, provides much greater comfort, aids in keeping your zafu clean, and allows a way to anchor your zafu to the meditation environment. If there is pressure on your knees and ankles from surfaces such as, hardwood floors, concrete, tile or even most carpets, then and you’ll be uncomfortable within a matter of 5 to 10 minutes. The discomfort is caused from the pressure of a hard surfaces against the soft tissues of your skin, bones, tendons and ligaments. As the pressure builds over time you will experience stiffness, a loss of circulation and pain in the exremities.

The additional importance of a zabuton is that it gives you a place to rest sacred items, such as, prayer beads or mala, sacred reading material, puja texts, or other similar items up off the floor. Laying sacred items on the floor is disrespectful. You can increase mindfulness by showing respect to whatever sacred tradtion you are affliated with by keeping items on the zabuton rather than leave them on the floor. Of course, if you have a meditation table, altar or shrine, then some of these sacred items can be placed near you there to rest while not in use.

The most cost effective way to buy your zabuton is in a zafu and zabuton set. Otherwise, you can always buy the mat separately. In either case, the zabuton is an important meditation supply or tool which allows you sit comfortably properly, and show respect to items that you may need to rest near you why you meditate.

Zabuton means “mat” in the Japanese Zazen cultural tradition.

Tags: altar, do I need a zabuton, meditation environment, Meditation supplies, meditation table, shrine, sitting comfortably, zabuton mats, zabutons, zafu and zabuton set, zazen mediation