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