posture

Mary sat at Jesus' feet.

First, this was a posture of listening. It was the posture of a disciple at the feet of the teacher. It's hard to talk from this position. The person in the chair is the one who can talk easily. If the person on the floor tries to speak, s/he will end up talking into the other person's leg. The mouth isn't in a good position to be active, but the ears are just below the teacher's mouth, well positioned to receive. Sitting at the feet of another is a posture of humble receptivity.

Second, it is impossible to hurry from this position. You can't do anything. It is a pretty nonproductive position. Martha was busy. She was being productive. Jesus told her that Mary had chosen what was better. Having been raised in a society that determines my worth by my productivity, everything in me protests. How could Mary have possibly chosen what was better? But Jesus wasn't saying that non-productivity was better than productivity. He was saying that being with him was better than being productive.

He who is in a hurry delays the work of God. St. Vincent de Paul
Cease striving and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10