Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Peace Yoga® Zafu Meditation Yoga Buckwheat Filled Round Cotton Bolster Pillow Cushion - Burgundy 13" x 13" I have been using meditation cushions for 35 years; and have used the most expensive brands. This Peace Yoga buckwheat cushion that I purchased from "Lowballer" exceeded my expectation and sold for half the price of the more expensive ones. It's canvas and much more durable than the standard ones made of thin cotton fabric and costing more. I particularly like the firm buckwheat filler and the fact that this cushion doesn't tend to flatten out and increase diameter with use. The "pleated" sides of the standard cushions allow it to spread out horizontally and therefore become very thin. And you don't need a wide flatten cushion since all our weight contacts the cushion at the butt-bones --- and they aren't that far apart. (see photo) Why is this a big issue? Because Zen teachers are correct when they emphasize that the hips should be above the knees when sitting in a full lotus for protracted periods of time (two hours+). If the hips are not above the level of knees, the muscles fatigue and it invites lower back (sacrum) pain during long sitting sessions. So... the higher the cushion, the less physical problems. Most find that sitting a full lotus is challenging enough on legs and knees without the added insult of back pain. This Peace Yoga cushion is FAR better than the competition in my opinion. I have read some of the Amazon reviews that were dissatisfied with this cushion for what I consider all the wrong reasons. This cushion is canvas, has an inner sealed bag containing the buckwheat filler and the outer canvas shell can be removed and washed. I talked with the owner of the business selling these, and I am convinced they will do whatever necessary to satisfy the customer... cordial, friendly, and accommodating! Rare qualities these days, I think. And I believe they are sincere; we talked for some time, and he wasn't impatient or pushy. It's a great cushion and a good staff. I can't imagine any serious meditator paying twice the price for a cushion that is pleated and/or made of thin cotton cloth. The only thing missing on this cushion is the "heated" feature option for winter --- like the heated seats in the BMW that costs few thousand more to the discriminating drivers, (of course, I kidding about the heated cushion).