Jumbo Buckwheat Zafu Meditation Cushion

Less filling may help to shape the pillow to the butt.

Two essentials of zazen are stability and a properly arched back. I'm a big boy, and not very flexible, so I employ the "chair" position for zazen, with my trusty zafu planted on top.When sitting on a zafu in the lotus position, one's knees are on the floor - knees and butt comprise a tripod - and your thighs angle downwards, allowing your pelvis to rotate forward so your back arches properly. Bad posture means a really sore back and no shikantaza.Most chairs don't afford enough elevation to properly position your thighs, even with a normal zafu, so I got a  Large Buckwheat Zafu Meditation Cushion, Black  to get more height. Hoo bingo!This zafu is TALL and SOLID, made from a durable-appearing cloth, and has a nifty handle for drayage. I hope the buckwheat husks pack down somewhat, as it is a trifle firm. Here we come to the nits:First, there is no zipper. One of these glowrus days, I'll want to replace the buckwheat husks, which eventually pulverize. This will require dismantling the zafu. Fortunately my wife is an ace quilter, so a zipper will be installed in maybe 5-8 years. Sooner, if I have to deflate the thing a bit.Second, the zafu is bulky and heavy. As mentioned earlier, I'm big, so not a big deal, but smaller people might want to consider two zafus to make toting easier.Nevertheless, I'm well pleased with this product.

This is a great cushion, but I had a second cover made for it, just like the one that comes on it, but with a drawstring instead of a zipper. There is no way you can wash the cover on it; as soon as you start to unzip the zipper all the buckwheat streams out. Have fun putting it all back in if you actually wash that cover. My seamstress made a second cover to match the original one with a drawstring on it, that sits underneath. Now I can meditate and can throw the cover in the washer occasionally very easily. It's the biggest cushion out there and I got the jumbo Zabuton as well, it fits my long legs. Very, very happy with my purchase. However, to encourage the merchant to offer this with a true removable cover, I have given it four stars.

I'm 6'3", and I've used a fair share of meditation cushions similar to this in the past, but I was shocked to see how large this thing is. At first I thought it was too large, because it was bigger than what I was used to, but as it turns out, because I'm such a tall guy, this is actually the perfect size for me and found that I am able to sit very comfortably for much longer than I ever could with smaller cushions. I thought a lot of it had to do with my legs, but I've found that with this cushion, it gives me the right amount of lift for my build to put my body into its naturally erect position. It comes with a carry handle (hard to see at first) and there is a zipper, although I have not opened it up yet. I assume you can remove buckwheat from it but can't confirm that. Very, very pleased.

I've been using this for a year now, and I absolutely love it. I'm 6'2" and not terribly flexible, and I my back would always start hurting after a few minutes of sitting meditation. I went to a class on posture for meditating, and the instructor immediately saw my problem: I needed something higher, and firmer, than the standard cushion.This zafu has changed my practice. It's comfortable, and firm, which has been key in helping me achieve a better posture. I can easily sit upright, without slumping, and without pain - and that encourages me to meditate more often. After a year, it hasn't softened or lost its shape. I'm delighted with it, and I can't recommend it enough.

This is my second ZafuStore large zafu. My first one was the kapok stuffed one. It has held up very well, but after losing weight I felt it was too firm. The buckwheat hull version continues with being an excellent choice for my 6'6" height but with a little more give for comfort during long sits.

this zafu is awesome. it is actually the first i have bought or seen so i cant base my review off comparision to any other zafus btut this works great. Im pretty tall {6'1") and i can easily enter lotus postion. If your thinking about buying this for your meditation practice i greatly reccomend it! It increases the stability of your psture ten fold compared to a pillow or just a plain floor or yoga mat like i was using before.

This cushion, along with a matching zabuton mat, makes for a perfect seat on a hardwood living room floor. Both pieces slip nicely under a futon, making it good for smaller living spaces. It is ideal for playing videogames really close to the TV screen while maintaining good back posture (I find myself sitting up straighter on this cushion).