Course XIX - Teaching 13: Lying Down Postures

Also in lying down posture you can notice the difference between vegetative posture and mental and mystical postures.
Generally, you use the vegetative posture for sleep or physical rest. The bed should not be quite soft and the pillow rather thin. You should lay down on the right side of the body, and look for a more restful position with the joints of your legs and arms somewhat bent, but avoiding any curvature in your spine (hardly you can avoid this by using so soft beds); your spine must be quite upright. Now, loosen all your muscles by using a proper mental picture.
Also, try the face-downward lying posture, with no pillow, the head turned to left. Once you get used to this posture, you shall find its advantages: a great possibility of muscular relaxation and the impossibility of curving the spinal column.
You should sleep with the body and head north or east oriented; it is not recommended to sleep in supine posture.
You can use the mental posture especially for your backward survey in bed; lying down, in supine posture, with no pillow. Legs should be totally stretched, heels together, and hands entwined on the solar plexus. Relax all muscles of your body, but keep your mind quite alert.
The Son waits for death in mental posture. Lying down in supine posture, legs should be entirely stretched, and feet together. All limbs should be quite relaxed; think that you are lifeless; let the eyelids close softly over your eyes. Try to loosen all your muscles, particularly those of neck and face to dispel any usual rigidity.
Assume often this posture, whose mystical meaning is like the shovelful of earth that Cistercians use to dig their tombs. Remember always that the true Son must be prepared to welcome death any time.