The zabuton is a traditional Japanese cushion that has been used for centuries. Its history can be traced back to the Edo period (1603-1868), when it was primarily used in Zen meditation practices. The word “zabuton” is derived from the Japanese words “za” (sitting) and “buton” (cushion), which accurately describes its function. Prior to the… Read more »
Author: Still Sitting
Zafus for Better Learning
Still Sitting is proud of the relationships it forms with organizations and individuals around the world as they engage in meditation and mindfulness practice. Occasionally we like to share their stories in our Customer Spotlight. These are some of the engaging, creative, colorful people who use Still Sitting products. Can you change how someone thinks… Read more »
Ten Most Popular Holiday Gifts
Finding the right gift for the meditation enthusiast in your life can be hard. To make your holiday shopping easy, we’ve put together this handy list of our most popular items — based on our comprehensive December 2021 sales data. Still Sitting brings you the most high-quality, handcrafted meditation supplies. So, whether you are shopping… Read more »
Meditation Cushions: Choosing the Right Zabuton
Zabutons and Their Use in Mediation The zabuton is a Japanese sitting cushion. It’s long been used as a meditation cushion in the Zen tradition, and you’ll see it in many places where mindfulness is practiced. The zabuton is humble yet essential, protecting your knees and ankles from the hard floor. Typically, you place it… Read more »
The Health Benefits of Meditation
For thousands of years, practitioners of meditation have experienced its profound, transformative effects. However, until the advent of modern medicine and technology it has been almost impossible to quantify how exactly meditation affects the body and mind. As various forms of meditation migrated to America from the East, an interest blossomed, and so too did… Read more »
Choosing The Right Zafu
“By establishing a stable base of support, the body naturally comes into alignment with the directional flow of gravity. The deeply purifying process of meditation has no choice but to begin.” – Will Johnson, The Posture of Meditation: A Practical Manual for Meditators of All Traditions Will Johnson’s book on the postures of meditation—one of our favorites—tells us… Read more »
Samue: A Dynamic, Traditional Meditation Garment
Every element of the Japanese Zen tradition has been carefully honed over thousands of years to serve a distinct purpose; clothing is no exception. The most easily identifiable garb in Zen is the simple black monk’s robe, but other forms of clothing have historically played an important role as well. Robes traditionally served as the… Read more »
Who is the Bodhisattva Kuan-Yin?
In the pantheon of Buddhist deities, the bodhisattva Kuan-Yin (also Guan-Yin, Guan-Yim, Kuan-Yim, Kwan-im, and in Sanskrit, Avalokiteshvara) occupies a special position of honor and affection. This is especially true in the lay Buddhism of China, Japan, and to a lesser extent Vietnam. The Goddess of Compassion, Mercy & Kindness The reason for Kuan-Yin’s popularity is… Read more »
Our Locally Handcrafted Meditation Benches
Mike Nauman-Montana is a lifelong artist and tinkerer. He has always loved making things with his hands and for the past twenty years he has put his focus on wood. He now runs a busy custom cabinet and woodworking business on Vashon Island called Salmon Bay Woodworks. Much of his work today is building and… Read more »
Thoughts from Still Sitting During this Crisis
We are Here for You We are here for you at Still Sitting. We are committed to safely continuing to support our customers with meditation supplies. But the truth is you don’t really need new meditation cushions right now. We believe that everyone already has what they need to face our new uncertain reality. Uncertainty,… Read more »
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