Padmasana - The Lotus

Introduction

Padmasana is perhaps the marquee image of the Eastern religious figure. The first pictorial representation of padmasana is seen in the ancient Indian depiction of Shiva as Pashupati, Lord of Beasts, in Harrapa.

Padma पद्म : Lotus rose Nelumbium Speciosum.

Links:

• The Jewel in the Lotus
• Nelumbo nucifera

Presentation

The main posture in Yoga used to be Siddhasana, the posture of the Siddhas (the perfect ones). Siddhasana resembles that of Padmasana except that the heels encircle the sexual area from above and below. Initially it is quite uncomfortable and with time other postures replaced it.

In Siddhasana, the lower foot is placed so that the heel presses against the perineum.

In padmasana, the lower energies are locked. The hands are sealed in a Mudra according to the purpose. The person dives into a pure inner life, which is always directly accessible once the eyes are shut and the conscience remains.

It is said that when the eyes are closed, reality appears (nimesa) and when the eyes are open (unmesa), reality disappears. From this, the two aspects of energy can be experienced: the wake and sleep states. Similarly, in the ordinary world, when we close our eyes, we fall into sleep while the yogi discovers at that time the awakening to his or own reality.

Finally, this posture is that of the great Yogis and great Yoginis diving into deep meditation (Samadhi). Exceptional people, seeking the truth, not only cease all activities but also meditate in padmasana without breathing. The complete extinction of the breathings is the goal in this case: