Another of those words with deep and layered meanings, normally referring to a stance taken by a being or entity. This could either be used as a noun to describe the posture taken (sitting, kneeling, standing) or attitude (aggressive, defensive, neutral). It may also be used as a verb, describing the behaviour of the subject - particularly with the intent to impress or mislead (e.g. a politician posturing an interest in a certain subject to try and win more votes)*. Here today, the discussion will revolve around the posture of people physically and mentally.

If you've fallen victim to the algorithms I have been subjected to recently on social media, there has been a huge swathe of health and fitness instruction. Fasting diets, special supplements and workouts with ever increasing difficulty feature heavily. I have noticed with some of the more well informed fitness influencers - particularly when demonstrating weight-lifting techniques (but also running etc.) - there is an importance placed on posture (as it would if you had visited a physiotherapist or other sports health professional): firstly to prevent injury and secondly to get the maximum result for the effort put in, accurately targeting the desired muscle group.

A well formed posture is also important for general health. For those of us that are sitting at a desk for long periods, there is much benefit in optimising posture and nowadays many options to be able to do so (standing desks, ergonomic chairs etc.). In my day job I see plenty of people who have multiple medical issues: back pain, neck pain, migraines which can then lead to mental health concerns, poor concentration and work performance. These problems - while often having multiple causative factors - are frequently improved with a positive change in posture. A person's posture will also give insight into their mental health state, however there is evidence that the reverse effect can also be true. While many people will allow their internal emotions to dictate their posture, it is possible to change one's posture to reflect the mood or attitude one wants to portray; and mood will then follow suit. Studies have shown in multiple settings that physically changing ones posture to present more confidently can improve mental health and even reduce the likelihood of being victimised (bullying, mugging etc.) (see Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules For Life chapter 1 - Stand up Straight with your Shoulders Back).

While physical posture can effect our mental state, it can also be used to describe it. The mental stance (or attitude) taken will appropriately change depending on the situation presented, but it is important to be mindful of the stance taken (e.g. being aggressive while playing sports can be beneficial, but not so aggressive that you hit an opponent or curse at a referee! Shamefully I have been guilty here in my younger days!). Being mindful of the posture we take mentally is great to practice in private; just you and your mind, your self talk. This would often involve emptying your mind of all pretence and self-importance and being honest with yourself on where you are at and where you would like to be - a basic blue-print for meditation.

I personally incorporate prayer into this reflective state - having looked at where I am and prayerfully reflecting on where I should be going. To do this well requires a posture of humility (see humility). A good visual depiction of this in (relatively) recent popular culture is found in the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Most people will remember the scene where the hero is trying to approach God (the Holy Grail) and having to negotiate 3 challenges. "Only the penitent man shall pass" for challenge number 1 required kneeling. While this work of fiction was made for entertainment (and to make the creators plenty of money) it accurately describes the mental/heart posture required - one of humility.

Think about Christmas and the story that it is supposed to represent: the God of the universe and creator of everything came to live within his own creation - ultimately to save it. Consider the posture with which he came. A little child, born to poor peasants and in a dirty barn - about as humble as it gets! Why would a God of the universe - one with all power and authority - come in this way and allow his creation authority over him? While I don't have the full answer it certainly makes him more relatable, to think he has lived a life like the rest of us (unlike some of today's celebrities when they complain about how tough their life can be!).

Keep check of your posture - externally confident while internally humble is usually a good default position!

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." Jam 4 v 10

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Tim 1 v 7

"Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence." Eph 3 v 12

*Definitions as per Oxford Languages