Zafu Zabuton Bean Zafu Meditation Pillow Kapok Fiber from Pema Design in British Columbia Canada

Meditation

The practice of meditation exists in all religions, all cultures. It has always been a part of the human way of thinking. Everyone, at one time or another, has let the cares of ordinary life fall away and rested their mind in a place where there are no thoughts, in awareness of what simply is. It could be a moment of silence in a peaceful place, or those few seconds upon awakening, before the thoughts of the day begin to tumble in.

Meditation practice is simply training your mind to extend this moment of awareness, to gradually shift your way of experiencing life. It can help you recognize how you relate emotionally to all the things in your life, and to transform unhappiness and negative reactions to feelings of contentment, joy and compassion for others.

There are many techniques for meditation practice. Often an object or image is used to focus on, and return your attention to, again and again, as your thoughts inevitably wander. In many traditions the basic focus is your breath, something which is always with you. As you work with this, you place as your goal nothing more than simply resting your mind in its natural open state.

ZAFU/ZABUTON CUSHIONS

Natural Kapok Fill

Our kapok cushions are tightly stuffed. The kapok fiber provides a firm support, but as the cushion will compress with use it should be re-shaped by patting after each sitting period. The cushion will fluff up naturally when placed in the sunshine from time to time, as the hollow fibres will expand in the heat. The cushion can be spot cleaned or hand-washed with water and mild soap (if you're old enough to remember kapok-filled life jackets you know that kapok floats; it does not absorb water). You will find more information regarding Kapok on our FAQ page.

Buckwheat Hulls

Buckwheat hull filling moves with a fluid motion due to the unique shape of the hull pieces. The buckwheat hull filled cushion will conform to the shape you create, and stay in place. There is very little volume loss. Our buckwheat hull cushions are tightly packed for a very firm support. By opening the zipper hidden beneath the carrying strap, filling can be removed to form a softer cushion. The zafu can be completely emptied to wash the cover.

Kapok or buckwheat hull filling removed from a cushion should be saved so it can be replaced when desired. Pema Design Studio will provide small quantities of fill for fluffing up any of our zafu cushions. Details and care instructions are provided with each product purchased.

Buckwheat Hull Zafus