What Do Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) Devotees Use to Meditate?

Short answer: Students of Paramahansa Yogananda and Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) usually meditate with a few simple, traditional items: a firm wedge cushion for a chair or a crescent cushion for the floor to keep the spine upright, a mala for japa and Kriya counting, a wool asana mat or chair blanket to insulate the body, and images of the Kriya lineage gurus for the altar. None of it is strictly required to meditate — but each piece reflects guidance Yogananda gave, and each helps make daily practice steadier and more comfortable.

At Supreme Swan we have handcrafted these items for Kriya Yogis and SRF students since 2009. Here is what devotees most often use, and why.

1. A seat that keeps the spine upright

Above all, Paramahansa Yogananda emphasized an erect spine and a relaxed body, so that attention can turn within. The seat is what makes that posture effortless rather than a strain. Two forms are most common:

• Sitting in a chair: a silk & wool wedge cushion tilts the pelvis gently forward so the lower back keeps its natural curve. Yogananda taught that a straight, armless chair is a completely worthy meditation seat — see our guide to meditating in a chair.
• Sitting on the floor: a crescent cushion or a padded zabuton raises the hips above the knees for a comfortable cross-legged posture.

Not sure which suits you? See choosing your meditation seat.

2. Silk and wool, to insulate the body

Yogananda gave a specific instruction: sit upon a covering of wool with silk over it — wool beneath, silk on top — to insulate the body from the earth’s subtle downward currents during meditation. This is why devotees use a silk-and-wool asana mat on the floor, or drape a silk & wool chair blanket over a chair with one end beneath the feet. Read more on the tradition behind the silk & wool seat and why wool matters in meditation.

3. A mala for japa and Kriya

Many devotees keep a mala of 108 beads for japa — the repetition of a mantra — and for counting Kriyas. Rudraksha, sandalwood, and tulsi are traditional materials; see what a rudraksha mala is and our guide to choosing your mala material.

4. Sacred art of the Kriya lineage for the altar

On the altar, SRF students typically keep images of the gurus of the Kriya lineage — Paramahansa Yogananda, Sri Yukteswar, Lahiri Mahasaya, Mahavatar Babaji, and Jesus and Krishna. We offer giclée and canvas prints of the gurus; see our guide to sacred art for your altar.

5. A quiet place set apart for practice

Finally, devotees find it helps to keep one small, dedicated corner for sitting — a place the mind learns to associate with stillness. See how to create a devotional home altar and building a daily meditation practice that lasts.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have to sit on the floor to practice Kriya Yoga?

No. Yogananda taught that a straight, armless chair is a fully suitable seat. What matters is an upright spine and a relaxed body, not whether the legs are crossed. A wedge cushion and a chair blanket make the chair a complete, traditional seat.

What kind of meditation cushion do SRF members use?

Most often a firm silk-and-wool cushion — a wedge for chair sitting, or a crescent or zabuton for the floor — that lifts and tilts the hips so the spine stays upright without effort.

Why silk and wool specifically?

Yogananda instructed devotees to sit on wool covered with silk to insulate the body from the earth’s subtle downward currents during meditation. Wool also insulates against the cold floor and lasts for years; silk is smooth and traditionally regarded as a fine conductor of subtle energy.

What mala is best for japa and Kriya?

A traditional 108-bead mala of rudraksha, sandalwood, or tulsi. The material is a matter of preference and tradition; what matters is a bead you can move easily and use daily.

Do I actually need any of these items to meditate?

No — you can meditate with nothing at all. These items simply follow the tradition Yogananda taught and make daily sitting more comfortable, warmer, and easier to sustain over the years.

However you sit, may your practice be steady and your stillness deep.