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Aurelia Fellini & Sascha Fröhlich
40 MUDRAS
START BY NUMBER FIVE
Digital Edition 1.0
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© 2013 Blue Mountain Media Switzerland
Mudras
A Mudra is a symbolic hand and finger position, which is used during the Indian dance as an expression to worship the gods, as a communication medium and as a means of expression. The word “mudra” comes from the old Indian language Sanskrit and means “seal”. If you translate the two syllables on their own it means something like “that, which brings joy.”: “mud” means joy, but it can also be translated as “gesture, that pleases the gods”. “Ra” means “something that gives”.
Origins and history
A simple mudra that is also known in the West is the folding of the hands in prayer. The hand gestures are being used in Hinduism as well as in Buddhism, often during spiritual exercises, during meditation or during the presentation of gods and enlightenment. Generally speaking the word mudra is used to describe techniques which promote spiritual immersion and help to reach spiritual release faster. In yoga, mantras, visualizations and breathing techniques are also being referred to as mudras.
Spiritual hand gestures
In the following we want to concentrate on the 40 mudra hand gestures, which are the most common and the easiest kind of mudra. As well as the symbolic effect, many of the gestures are also known to have an effect on the organism, for example the favoritism of the energy flow and the function of certain organs or the impact on the psyche. There are different organs allocated to different reflex zones in the hand. The reflex zone for the brain, for example, is located on the tip of the right thumb, the eyes are being allocated to the reflex zone in the two lower limbs of the index and middle finger. Through light pressure to the reflex zones, the according organs and their functions will be promoted. With the combination of the symbolic, energetic, emotional and physical effect, the power of mudra is being created. Most mudras can be used as needed. It is also possible to practise the mudras three times a day for 15 minutes as a regime.
Strengthen your health with mudras
Mudras can act on all organs and functions of the body, therefore the possibilities are nearly endless. Often mudras are divided into 4 categories: healing mudras, mudras for health and fitness, cleansing mudras and mudras for breath and energy.
Dhyani Mudra
The Dhyana, Dhyani or Samadhi Mudra is the classical meditation gesture. As Buddha reached enlightenment, meditating underneath a fig tree, he held his hands in this position. The hands lay casually in your lap, the palms are open and face upwards. The right hand lays above the left.
The Dhayna Mudra can also be carried out using the left hand. It promotes the meditation, the overall awareness and attention, as well as “becoming one” with the universe, the cosmos and a higher power. A feeling of deep inner peace and contentment will be created. When the thumbs of both hands touch, the mudra will be especially powerful. The touching thumbs create a closed energy triangle that favours the cleansing of the spiritual and moral level.
Jnana Mudra
The Jnana Mudra is one of the most known mudras. Thumb and index finger are touching and form a circle, the other three fingers are stretched casually. The palms are facing upwards. The Jnana Mudra is known as the gesture of knowledge and wisdom. The index finger symbolizes the ego that is beaten by the universal wisdom, which is represented by the thumb. This gesture stimulates the circuit, brain functions, the sense of touch and harmonizes the nervous system. This calms the spirit, promotes concentration as well as memory and helps with insomnia and depression. New spiritual experiences will be opened to the practitioner. Inner peace and deep feelings of happiness often appear when using the Jnana Mudra.
Atmanjali Mudra
