Whatever be the merits of sitting cross-legged from the physical point of view, its spiritual benefits are doubtful. Sri Aurobindo and the Mother never advised it. Meditation is primarily an inner process and the best posture is that in which you can forget about the body. I have seen Champaklal ji meditate in Sri Aurobindo’s room, sitting on a chair. Pavitra da recommended the same. Sri Aurobindo meditated while walking. He even said that one could meditate while lying down, but the only problem is that in most people it induces sleep.
The only merit behind cross-legged sitting is the smooth circulation of Prana and perhaps that is why some meditations where a preliminary Pranayam is required, it may be helpful, not for meditation as such, but for the pranic energy. In Sri Aurobindo’s yoga, the process is different and the cleansing of Prana is not done through mechanical means but by opening to the Mother’s Force.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
