Full lotus position?

I forgot to write about this until last night when i was chatting to my sisters about sitting in the full lotus position.

It was on Chinese New Year's Eve - and we went to Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery for the 24-hour Great Compassion Mantra Recitation Session meant for protecting the country and eradicating disasters. This has sort of become a yearly event for us. When we first reached there we went to the canteen at the back to grab a bite since we were feeling a lil hungry - and boy, the variety of dishes there just made me drool all over the place! Ok, i was spoilt for choice! Met DM Heng Rong and she said -

"Check out the water dumplings there! They're really nice! And its not locally made - recipe specially flown in from China!"

Thats it. Got us so excited that it was quite obvious to DM Heng Rong that we are dumpling maniacs. Lol! She just laughed at us =D. We ordered the first plate of 12 pieces and before long - on came another plate! It was yummy-licious!

Ok ok, enough about food. After the small supper we went to the main Buddha Hall, bowed and join in the recitation session. It was the circumambulation time. After 20 minutes, we were back to sitting again - and this time i tried to sit in the full lotus position - left leg on right and then right over left - the sitting posture for meditation. And gosh, my legs were aching!

I remember reading that once you have bear through with the pain, the pain will just go away - and its true! After some time, the pain just simply vanished - and in fact it felt quite comfortable! I continued reciting the Great Compassion Mantra and there was one thing i noticed - the blood flow in my body felt different. No wonder we were encouraged to sit in full lotus! This position makes the blood flow to unreachable parts of the body.

After 20 minutes, we were to circumambulate again. The moment i undo the full lotus position, my legs ached like crazy!!! I had to force myself to stand up - and i almost tripped on the first few steps! Lol..i guess thats what happens when you don't practice full lotus position constantly haha.. =p

However, i soon found out one thing. Sitting in the full lotus position kept my mind more focused and alert - compared to sitting in half lotus. I guess i should practice more. Lol!

I've read in one of the books published by BTTS/DRBA that when sitting in full lotus, one resembles a golden pagoda and when in half lotus a silver pagoda. I should practice more. Haha..peace and happiness to all! ;D