DanaBench

Fully Adjustable Meditation Benches That Fit You Perfectly

"Sit Well — Benefit Others"


Why "DanaBench"?

Dāna: the virtuous practice of generosity and giving.

DanaBench: a high quality fully adjustable meditation bench donated to meditation centers, dharma schools, mindfulness training programs and teaching sanghas for student use.

Those who find a DanaBench helpful for their meditation practice are invited to purchase one for their own personal use.

Sales to individuals support the DanaBench Donation Program to provide more free benches for the benefit of other students.

Both the benches themselves and this Web site are in an early phase of development. The instructions and FAQ below are for brainstorming and discussion — please do me your feedback and suggestions.

Thank you, and may your meditation practice be beneficial!

  --Tarver 


Instructions and Postures

The DanaBench can be used in either a kneeling or a cross-legged posture.

DanaBench prototype with high seat position for kneeling posture

DanaBench prototype with low seat position for cross-legged posture

Select hole for desired seat height

Stick dudes demonstrating DanaBench postures

To set the bench height:

The seat may be used with either the straight or the curved edge forward, depending on your posture and preference. Most people find the curved edge forward more comfortable for kneeling and the straight edge forward better for sitting cross-legged.

To set the angle of the seat:


Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this meditation bench called a "DanaBench"?

Why do you give away DanaBenches for free?

Who pays for the "free" benches?

How does the DanaBench Donation Program work?

Do I need a charitable tax number to get free benches for my sangha?

Are DanaBenches really free for student use? Are there any hidden costs?

How many DanaBenches are available to each mindfulness program or dharma school?

Is there any difference between the DanaBenches donated for student use at meditation centers and those offered for sale to individuals?

Why the slogan "Sit Well — Benefit Others"?

Isn't meditation supposed to be uncomfortable?

Aren't benches inferior to cushions?

Will there be a variety of different types of DanaBench?

Is padding available for the DanaBench?

How much will a DanaBench cost to buy?

I find the DanaBench distracting to adjust. What should I do?



Why is this meditation bench called a "DanaBench"?

"Dāna" is the virtue of generosity and giving. DanaBenches are given for free to a wide variety of meditation centers, teaching sanghas, mindfulness training programs, and dharma schools for student use.

 

Why do you give away DanaBenches for free?

I provide benches for free through the DanaBench Donation Program because some students have difficulty holding an appropriate posture for meditation long enough to start to "get it", especially at first. In many cases meditation benches can be quite helpful. Unfortunately, most meditators struggling with their posture don't have access to a suitable bench which fits them properly. Making high quality adjustable meditation benches freely available to students is dāna to help with this problem. My hope is that more people learn to meditate and successfully maintain their practice.

 

Who pays for the free benches?

My "right livelihood" is to sell DanaBenches to individuals who want one for their own personal use. These sales support the distribution of more free benches. The number of DanaBenches available for donation ultimately varies in proportion to the number sold.

 

How does the DanaBench Donation Program work?

Once the DanaBench Donation Program is officially launched, you will be able to apply for a donation of DanaBenches via this Web site. Donated benches are intended to be fully put to use on an ongoing basis to help meditation students establish and maintain their practice without demanding anything in return. Dāna is the cornerstone of the DanaBench business model and I trust that generosity will result in abundance for all. Please me to express your interest in the donation program or to try a prototype DanaBench.

 

Do I need a charitable tax number to get free benches for my sangha?

No, but the viability of the DanaBench Donation Program may be enhanced by getting tax credit for a certain proportion of donations. Please make your request, and I will do my best to fulfill it.

 

Are DanaBenches really free for student use? Are there any hidden costs?

I only ask that you arrange or pay for shipping and handling. (I am located in Toronto.)

 

How many DanaBenches are available to each mindfulness program or dharma school?

My goal is to fulfill all requests for donation without tying them to any purchases. If, however, you are very keen to obtain a large number of DanaBenches for your center but the DanaBench Donation Program is backlogged (or just getting started), please consider purchasing some benches to keep the wheel of generosity turning. Regardless of whether you purchase any, I will do my best to fulfill your request for as many benches as you need for student use as soon as possible.

 

Is there any difference between the DanaBenches donated for student use at meditation centres and those offered for sale to individuals?

All benches, donated and sold, are of the same high quality. All benches are branded on the underside of the seat:

SIT WELL / WWW.DANABENCH.COM / BENEFIT OTHERS

Donated benches may also feature an information sticker with instructions for use.

 

Why the slogan "Sit Well — Benefit Others"?

"Sit Well — Benefit Others" describes a virtuous cycle. "Sit Well" refers to practicing meditation skillfully which starts with a stable and sustainable posture. The DanaBench is a tool, a skillful means, in this immediate physical sense. Meditation promotes not only mental clarity and stability for oneself, but also sensitivity and compassion for others. "Benefit Others" points to the fact that a portion of the proceeds from every DanaBench sold is used to donate more benches for the use of other students. Thus purchasing a DanaBench helps one sit well; this benefits other students by making the same skillful means freely available to them; among those who find it helpful some will purchase a DanaBench for themselves, and so on.

 

Isn't meditation supposed to be uncomfortable?

No, meditation is not supposed to be inherently uncomfortable! The main problem is that most Westerners are not accustomed to sitting on the floor, cross-legged, or on a cushion for long periods without moving. The important thing is to find a comfortable and sustainable posture that is wakeful and erect. Sitting becomes easier with practice as mind and muscles relax and strengthen. Another problem is that otherwise minor discomforts can sometimes feel distractingly amplified as a result of the meditation itself. If you need help with any of this, please do consult your meditation instructor.

 

Aren't benches inferior to cushions?

Some meditation traditions emphasize very specific postures using cushions, and highly trained yogis can hold incredible postures for hours on end with no support at all. For most of us, however, especially those who are new to meditation, or not accustomed to sitting with cushions, or larger than average, or who have trouble with their knees or back, or who simply find that it works better for them, a suitable bench can prove very helpful in establishing and maintaining a meditation practice. When I first started to meditate seriously about ten years ago, I could not "sit" at all (except in a chair) until I made myself a simple bench that fit me correctly.

 

Will there be a variety of different types of DanaBench?

The design of the DanaBench is such that it's range of adjustment accommodates virtually everyone of any height and weight. For example, I am 6'6" tall and have weighed up to 280 pounds. When I started this project, my son was 4'10" tall and 100 pounds. The DanaBench fits both of us, both kneeling and sitting cross-legged, with adjustment room to spare.

 

Is padding available?

Because the DanaBench is not only fully adjustable but also fits itself to you automatically and continuously as you sit, students are finding that they do not need any padding unless they are sitting for very long periods. If you find that you do need padding, a folded towel works well.

 

How much will a DanaBench cost to buy?

DanaBenches will retail for $108 Canadian, about the price of a decent pair of shoes. DanaBenches are not yet available for sale, but please do me if you would like to try a prototype or would like me to let you know when they become available.

 

I find the DanaBench distracting to adjust. What should I do?

Start by putting your entire focus on setting up your bench. Take as long as you need to try several heights and try the seat with either edge forward until it is stable and comfortable for you, either kneeling or cross-legged. Mindfully sit in a wakeful and erect posture. Notice the moment when you "find your seat". Gently but deliberately transition to meditation practice. Put your entire attention on your respiration. Keep it there. Repeat as necessary. Meditate successfully.


Testimonial

"I like it. It's simple, it's work in progress, it's beneficial, I think you can do it.

I hope you can do [the other project you are working on for me], too!"

  —A Friend & Previous Client