Mudras for meditation

Mudras for meditation

August 2023

Besides the Dhyaan Mudra, there are other mudras that serve as an aid to the practice of dhyaan, says Abhay Kumar Shah  

Mudras are like a mother. They feed  us, nurture us, guide us to the  right path, and help us reach our  goal. This nurturing happens on the level of  all three dimensions: body, mind, and soul.  They strengthen our body, purify our mind,  and enrich our soul with spiritual upliftment.  Meditation is the best vehicle to reach this  state, and mudras are the best possible fuel  for this vehicle.  

• Aakaash Mudra  

Aakaash Mudra connects inner space with outer  space. This connection brings intuitive powers  to the mind. It increases  

concentration, consciousness,  and awareness. The regular  and sincere practice of thisn mudra facilitates the feeling  of divine white light on the  

Sahasrara Chakra. 

There are many mudras which facilitate the  process of meditation. Here are some of them.  

• Jnaan Mudra  

Keep the remaining three  fingers comfortably straight.  Place your hands on your thighs. 

• Dhyaan Mudra 

Aakaash Mudra 

Jnaan Mudra is called the king  of mudras. It calms down the  mind by reducing all negative  emotions like anger, jealousy,  lust, attachment, and hauteur.  It helps the mind to focus and  reduces stress and anxiety.  

Touch the tip of the index finger  to the tip of the thumb. Keep 

Dhyaan Mudra reduces overthinking by controlling the heavy traffic  of thoughts and thus removes  the hindrance to practising  dhyaan. It also alleviates  

stress and anxiety, and eases  the mind, helping it function more effectively. Jnaan Mudra the remaining three fingers comfortably straight.  Place your hands on your thighs. Place one palm horizontally  below the navel, and place the other one on top of it. Do not join the tips of the  thumbs.  

• Uttarbodhi Mudra  

Uttarbodhi Mudra is one of the 10 mudras which were usually practised by Bhagwan  Buddha. This mudra fills us with courage, removes stress, and helps us focus.  

Interlace the fingers of both hands except the index fingers and thumbs. Stretch the  index fingers out, with the tips touching each other and pointing upward. Connect  both thumbs in the same way and point them downward. Keep your hands near  the heart.  

• Kaaleshwar Mudra 

Uttarbodhi Mudra 

Kaaleshwar Mudra is practised for gaining control over the mind. It helps  increase concentration and decrease negative thoughts, and eliminates  addictive habits. It also improves memory and enhances the quality of  dhyaan. 

Bend the fingers of both hands except the middle fingers and thumbs. Touch  the backs of the distal phalanges (the part which has the nails) of the bent  fingers. Stretch the middle fingers out and upward, touching the tips to each  other. Likewise, connect the thumbs and point them downwards. Keep some  distance between the palms. 

Kaaleshwar Mudra 

Abhay Kumar Shah is a mechanical engineer, who has learnt Mudra Shastra from experts and established his own  method of using this science correctly, and in the modern context. He can be reached at: mudramiracles@gmail.com