Plum Village Organic Meditation Support: Individual Cushions & Mats

Your meditation practice deserves support that honors both body and Earth. The Plum Village Organic Meditation Support collection offers individually sold cushions and mats, allowing you to build your sanctuary according to your needs—whether replacing a worn cover, starting with a filled cushion, or creating a complete sitting system over time.

Each piece is handcrafted in France near Plum Village, featuring hand-embroidered “Breath” and “Smile” calligraphy that transforms functional support into dharma instruments reminding you to return to presence with each sit.

Choosing Your Support: Understanding Individual Components

Important: Items are sold individually to honor your practice’s unique evolution and allow customization.

• Individual Filled Cushion (Not Including Mat) – €45

Includes both the outer cotton cover AND the organic buckwheat or spelt filling. This is your complete, ready-to-use meditation cushion providing ergonomic spine alignment and stable sitting foundation.

• Individual Cushion Cover Only – €25

The fabric outer shell alone, without filling. Choose this to refresh the appearance of an existing filled cushion or if you prefer to source your own filling materials.

• Individual Mat Cover Only– €35

The fabric covering for a meditation mat, sold without foam or padding insert. This is the decorative and protective layer—you would need to provide or purchase padding separately to create a complete mat.

Detailed Product Information

Materials & Construction:

• Cover Fabric: 100% Organic Cotton, soft yet durable for years of daily practice
• Filling Options: Organic Buckwheat hulls OR Organic Spelt (cushion only, included in €45 filled option)
• Calligraphy: Hand-embroidered “Breath” and “Smile” in traditional brushstroke style
• Craftsmanship: Made in France with locally sourced materials near Plum Village monastery

Functional Design:

• Cushion: Ergonomic round shape elevates hips, promoting natural spine alignment and reducing lower back strain during extended sitting
• Mat: Provides joint protection for knees, ankles, and feet during floor sitting meditation
• Zippers: Sturdy hidden closures for aesthetic simplicity and easy cover removal

Maintenance & Care:

• Washable: Outer covers are machine-washable for hygiene and freshness
• Removable: Covers separate from filling for cleaning convenience
• Durable: Quality stitching and organic materials withstand years of daily use

Sustainability:

• Organic Certification: Cotton and grain fillings free from pesticides
• Local Sourcing: Spelt and buckwheat grown near Plum Village, reducing transport impact
• European Craft: Supporting traditional artisan communities in France

The Four Qualities of Your Support

Stability: Having Arrived on Your Cushion

Core Practice: The filled cushion’s weight and ergonomic shape create stable foundation, signaling to body and mind: “I have arrived, I am home.” Proper elevation allows pelvis to tilt naturally forward, spine to rise with dignity, breath to flow without restriction.

Interbeing: French Craft and Local Harvest

Core Practice: Your cushion embodies interbeing—French artisans’ skill, organic cotton fields, spelt or buckwheat grown near the monastery where these teachings live. Each component carries the hands and care of countless beings whose work supports your sitting.

Protection: The Mat as Compassionate Foundation

Core Practice: Going as a river means honoring the body’s needs across decades of practice. The mat cushions joints during long sits, preventing pain that would interrupt meditation, demonstrating that spiritual practice includes wise care for this temporary physical form.

Patience: Posture Ripening Over Time

Core Practice: Proper support allows posture to ripen gradually—not forcing perfection but providing conditions for natural alignment to emerge through patient, consistent practice. The cushion and mat remain stable as your sitting deepens across seasons and years.

Questions About Your Plum Village Organic Meditation Support

Q: Does the €45 price include both the cushion and the mat?

No, dear practitioner. To allow for customization according to your unique needs, the cushion and mat are sold as individual units. The Individual Filled Cushion includes the complete cushion (cover + organic filling). The Individual Mat Cover Only is sold separately and contains only the fabric covering—you would need to provide padding to create a complete mat. This individual pricing allows you to build your support system mindfully over time.

Q: Is the mat cover padded, or is it just fabric?

The Individual Mat Cover Only is the decorative fabric shell without foam or padding insert. If you need a complete, ready-to-use mat with cushioning, please contact us about availability of filled mat options. The cover protects and beautifies existing padding you may already own or source separately.

Q: What’s the difference between buckwheat and spelt filling?

Both organic fillings provide excellent support. Buckwheat hulls are traditional, offering firm support that molds to your shape while maintaining structure. Spelt (an ancient grain) provides slightly softer, quieter support. Both are locally sourced near Plum Village. Choose based on your preference for firmness and the subtle sound of shifting grains during sitting adjustments.