Originally mudras were used by the Hindus for rituals, relaxation and deep meditation. Now mudras are one hundred percent compatible with all religions. All the Hindu Gods and Goddesses have some form of mudras. Lord Buddha uses gayana mudra. Mudra is a sanskrit word. In the word “mudra” mud, means “joy” and ra, means “produce.” Hence, mudra means gestures that produce joy and happiness.
Tibetan Buddhism, Zen buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana buddhism extensively use different mudras during meditation and blessing. Observing the blessing mudras of different Buddhas are itself an wonderful meditation. Yoga mudras, maha mudras and kriya mudras are wonderful experience of joy. Buddhist Goddesses are having beautiful mudras. Our beloved historic Buddha knew deeply the use of mudrās and is often depicted using these ritual gestures. Mudras are mostly used during mindfulness meditation.
Chin mudra, bharatnatyam mudra, vajroli mudra, shambhami mudra and gayana mudra are most famous, out of all the 399 mudras. Both the hindu and Buddhist Goddesses uses Abhaya mudra. The gesture of protection.
There are fifty eight (58) special mudras for white tantric rituals. These white tantric mudras stimulate different parts of the brain involved with breathing and to affect the flow of energy in the brain. These fifty eight special white tantric mudras works in sync with limb gestures, breathing and the flow of deeper thoughts. These tantric mudras are very effective the calming the mind and releasing the past impressions and the karma seeds. In Hindu literature these are known as Bhairabhi sadhana. These are still not known much to the general public. Mostly, just to keep the knowledge in secret, because general public may not understand the deep implications of these simple gestures. However, recently some of the universities are deeply experimenting the neural implications of these 58 special mudras during meditation.
Recent brain research paper published in the National Academy of Sciences in November 2009, demonstrated that hand gestures stimulate the some regions of the brain. Recently, some researchers are working on the Bhumisparsha mudra and its effect on climate and environment. Particularly when Bhumisparsha mudra is performed in groups.
What are Mudras?
Mudras are a silent language of self-expression used in the teachings of Hindu religions, especially in the Hatha Yoga.They are postures (asanas) or we can make gestures with fingers during meditation to open, release, or close the flow of internal energy (Ki, Prana, Chi), according to the function you want. Because of its psycho-energetic effects, they are powerful for sending messages to the nerve endings in our hands to the brain. The body communicates with the mind. Mind and body are interconnected essentially a vital unity. It is estimated that around 399 different mudras, with 36 being the most important.
What are the Mudras?
The Mudras are used to channel balance and restore the energy level of our body. By making these gestures in the body, energy can flow through the “nadis,” energy channels – providing peace, security and peace of mind by meditating. Mudras can be done in conjunction with different systems of meditation or relaxation techniques (Yoga, Tai-chi, etc..). Special mudras are used in tea ceremony to bring happiness in life.
Why are they important?
A Mudras are attributed therapeutic or curative powers of the body. Mudras help to link the brain to the body, soothe pain, stimulating the endorphin system, change the mood and increase our vitality. However, their degree of effectiveness depends not only on the frequency or regularity of practice, but also, among other factors, the quality of the diet, eating habits and life in general.
How and how often you practice Mudras?
Usually, the Mudras should be practiced with both hands at once. The fingers are joining together in many different ways and with very different pressures where sometimes only need a light touch and others need a lot of pressure. Due to the different qualities of each, you should use for a specified time that is usually 3 to 45 minutes is generally desirable to do this once a day at least. For best results, it is recommended to keep one of the positions for a total of 45 minutes per day. But if you practice any longer, can produce results quickly with the exception of certain Mudras to be applied carefully. If you do not have the ability or patience to practice for 45 minutes straight, you can divide that time in lots of 10 or 15 minutes. It is important NOT having eaten previously (2 hour minimum) as they are consuming energy in the digestion process and divert “attention” energy.
Who can practice Mudras?
These practices are performed by Hindus for relaxation and advanced meditation. However later on Buddhist and many other religions are using these techniques for relaxation and meditation. Now, these techniques are 100% compatible with any philosophy, ideology or belief, as the main purpose of these gestures is to reach a body-mind energy connection.
How hard is it to practice Mudras?
It is not difficult to make a Mudra, you only need to stay focused on gestures. To practice the Mudras not required great skill, but above all very practical, especially those that are more complicated.Where can we realize them? For beginners or initiates, it is advisable to choose a quiet place where nothing and no one interrupts us, away from noise and preferably alone and in silence. Once you have mastered the technique can be performed elsewhere (break from work, walking in the park, the beach, in the company, etc..).
When or under what circumstances you can practice them?
Mudras can be practiced as our own needs. We can make a specific Mudra to relieve discomfort or help cure a particular disease. What are the benefits of exercise? (1) help to harmonize the body and mind, easing the flow of energy throughout the body. ( 2) Ease the physical discomfort, soothing the pain by stimulating the endorphin system. (3) produce a significant relaxation on a physical level, facilitating sleep. (4) Improve mood, encouraging positive thinking. (5) They raise self-esteem self, providing the ability to trust in ourselves. (6) Practiced along with meditation, increase concentration. (7) Increase vitality In conclusion, daily practice and well-performed the mudras contributes to improving and strengthening of our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.
Are Mudras can cure all kinds of diseases?
Of course not. For use for physical healing, it is important to note that the Mudras are not miracle workers, but their role is to support the treatment that we are using to heal, making it more effective and the condition resolves sooner. In the hands, as in the feet, are reflections our body points and therefore different positions help to unlock those that are inharmonious. What is the meaning of our hands?According to the Hindu theory of Ayurveda, the left hand is peace, the right hand is discernment. In the left hand represents the concentration, and wisdom on the right.
In his right hand little finger represents wisdom, void judgment, the environment, ability to vote (will), the index is power and the thumb is knowledge . In the left hand little finger is charity, the ring discipline, patience means, the energy index and thumb contemplation.What do the fingers of our hands? Each finger is assigned a natural element. Thus, each finger controls the analogy of the element in the functioning of the body: – The thumb is the element ether (sky). – The index represents the air. – The heart or middle finger is ruled by fire. – The ring represents water. – The little finger is the earth element.
The science of mudra is much deeper than Hand Gestures. If you do not have the correct opening key, it is difficult to open the secret of energies. If you do not have the key, at the most you can break the locks, but that is not the objective. Hence, we most know the key for each mudra. In the next posts, I am thinking to say more about the keys to open the locks of the mudras.