Struggling with posture, is meditation bench OK?

[xdsa]

Hi all and happy new year!

I saw the pinned thread on posture and promise to read it. In the meantime - I've been meditating daily for over a year, sitting on a zofu cross legged with knees lower than heaps, and still struggling with keeping my back straight. I also tried meditation bench and it works much better - feels more natural and it is much easier to keep my back straight. Question - is it OK to switch to meditation bench and not struggle, or that would be "cheating" and it's a good idea to continue working on improving posture on a zofu? Thanks!

[Tobin]

I'm sure it's fine. You will probably become uncomfortable in any position you decide to use after a length of time. I'd say if it helps improve the quality of your sit and concentration, why not? There are lots of different ways to meditate.

[Vivek]

Any posture that ensure that the neck, back and head are kept straight as well as the back is kept unsupported, is fine as long as you are able to retain the posture for long periods of time. Straightening the back as well as keeping it unsupported is a challenge for many. Sitting cross-legged is even greater challenge. These issues can be addressed from time to time within one's own capacity as one proceeds on the path, they need not be show-stoppers as such. So, I think what you are doing right now is fine as it looks like the posture is aiding the strengthening of your mindfulness. However, I would still recommend to test other postures from time to time. Back-strengthening exercises, yoga, regular walks etc. also help.